Nivolet Bike Day

One of the most beautiful climbs in the Alps, car-free

The Nivolet Bike Day is the day when the famous Colle del Nivolet road, one of the most beloved ascents for cyclists worldwide, is reserved entirely for those climbing under their own power. For several hours, engines remain silent, and the climb becomes a long ribbon of asphalt populated only by bicycles, hikers, and the stillness of the high mountains. We are in the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park, in the municipality of Ceresole Reale, in the upper Orco Valley, within the Metropolitan City of Turin.

The route to Colle del Nivolet

The event is a non-competitive ride: no stopwatches, no rankings, just the pleasure of climbing at your own pace. Two options are available. Starting from Ceresole Reale (at an altitude of about 1,600 meters), the climb covers approximately 38 kilometers with an elevation gain of around 1,000–1,200 meters and an average gradient of 6.5%, with some sections exceeding 10%. Those seeking a longer challenge can start from Cuorgnè, for an itinerary of about 56 kilometers and over 2,200 meters of total elevation gain. In both cases, the destination is the Colle del Nivolet, at approximately 2,612 meters, on the watershed between the Piedmontese Orco Valley and the Aosta Valley's Valsavarenche.

Road closed to traffic

The core of the event is the closure of the Nivolet road to motor traffic, typically from the morning until the early afternoon. There is no fixed start time: participants tackle the climb independently during the closure window, choosing their own pace and timing. Along the route, you will encounter the artificial lakes of Ceresole and Serrù, high-altitude meadows, and, on clear days, the peaks of the Gran Paradiso massif.

Hospitality at Rifugio Savoia

At the top, near the pass, the Rifugio Savoia welcomes cyclists for a refreshing break. In recent editions, the first 150 registered participants received a gadget and a voucher for refreshments. The initiative is organized by Biking GAL Gran Paradiso 2.0, with the patronage of the Municipality of Ceresole Reale and the collaboration of the Gran Paradiso National Park Authority, and is part of a project to promote slow and sustainable cycle tourism in the Canavese area and the Gran Paradiso valleys.