Duration: 6–7 days Distance: 40–70 km per day Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate DailyElevation Gain: 500 – 1300 m D+
A Grand Journey Through the Western Alps
The Mediterranean Alps Grand Tour is a multi-day MTB and e-MTB journey from remote Alpine valleys to the Mediterranean Sea. Historic military roads, high mountain passes, traditional villages and abandoned fortifications link the Italian and French Alps in one unforgettable adventure.
A Journey Through Changing Landscapes
One of the defining features of this Grand Tour is the extraordinary variety of landscapes you ride through. The journey opens in Valle Maira and Valle Varaita, where high-altitude military roads and remote Alpine passes lead into forests, hidden valleys and historic mountain villages. Crossing into Valle Stura, the scenery begins its gradual transformation, before the route joins the Alta Via del Sale for its final push south: rugged Alpine terrain gives way to Mediterranean vegetation, warmer valleys and, eventually, the Ligurian coast. Riding self-guided means taking in these changes at your own rhythm — no two stages feel the same, crossing different territories on both sides of the Italian–French border, blending spectacular riding with local culture, frontier history and constantly changing mountain environments.
This Grand Tour is never tied to one fixed itinerary. An extensive network of historic military roads, scenic mountain tracks and Alpine passes allows each journey to be shaped around the season, local conditions and your own pace. You’ll receive GPS tracks for the whole itinerary as a starting base, adapted day by day at our evening debrief and briefing depending on how the trip is actually going. The goal is never simply to follow a line on a map, but to build the best possible journey through the Mediterranean Alps for you.
Behind the scenes, the Mediterranean Alps Grand Tour Self Guided+ is a complete six- or seven-day MTB and e-MTB journey, with carefully selected accommodation and every essential logistic organised around the route. You ride independently, following GPS tracks on your own device, while your luggage is transferred ahead to each stage so you carry only what you need for the day. Every evening, we debrief the stage you’ve just ridden and go through the plan for the next one. Our 4×4 support vehicle is your safety net throughout the journey: equipped as a mobile workshop with tools and spare parts, it can reach you on the route for a mechanical repair, a route change or any other issue — keeping in mind that some areas of the Alps have no phone signal, so we’re not always reachable the instant something happens.
Where you stay and eat is an essential part of every WolfTrails journey. We select accommodation for outstanding service, comfort and character, often choosing hidden local gems over better-known locations. From authentic mountain stays to premium hotels and dining, every detail can be tailored to your group.
Why choose the Mediterranean Alps instead of the Dolomites?
The Dolomites are iconic, but this corner of the Alps offers a completely different journey. Landscapes change constantly, from the remote valleys and high plateaus of the Western Alps to military roads, ancient villages and the Mediterranean Sea. The route also crosses an extraordinarily complex frontier, shaped by Roman routes, centuries of changing borders and conflicts through to the Second World War. It is not simply a mountain bike tour, but a complete journey through landscapes, cultures and history from the Alps to the Mediterranean.
How difficult is the Mediterranean Alps Grand Tour Self Guided+?
The Grand Tour is a long multi-day journey, but it does not need to be ridden at a demanding pace. Daily distance, elevation gain and difficulty can be carefully balanced, allowing riders to progress comfortably and enjoy the landscapes, history and places encountered along the way.
Where does the Mediterranean Alps Grand Tour Self Guided+ start?
The starting point depends on the season, number of days and type of journey requested. The tour can begin in Valle Maira to create a longer crossing of the Western Alps, or in Limone Piemonte for an itinerary focused on the Alta Via del Sale and the journey towards the Mediterranean.
What makes the Grand Tour different from the classic Alta Via del Sale?
The Grand Tour goes far beyond the classic Alta Via del Sale, connecting multiple Alpine valleys, historic military roads and high mountain passes in one complete journey. Depending on the itinerary, it can include Valle Maira, the Gardetta Plateau and Valle Stura before joining the Alta Via del Sale and continuing towards the Mediterranean.
