Alps Divide

Alps Divide – Menton, France

• Date: 2027-07-06 to 2027-07-12
• Location: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Menton, France
• Event Type: Self-supported bikepacking adventure

Embark on an extraordinary challenge with the Alps Divide, a self-supported bikepacking adventure that traces a path through the Western Alps, from the Mediterranean's edge to Lake Geneva. This journey invites riders to navigate high mountain passes, alpine pastures, and historic military gravel roads, experiencing the profound solitude and beauty of the Alps. The route, totaling 1000km with 32,000m of ascent, crosses the national borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland, offering a distinctive bikepacking France experience.

Beginning in Menton on the Côte d’Azure, the terrain immediately ascends into the Maritime Alps. Cyclists will encounter some of Europe's highest gravel roads, culminating near 3000m at Colle del Sommeiller. This initial section immerses riders in a landscape rich with history, where ancient military roads and forts stand as silent witnesses to bygone eras, before weaving into the heart of the Alps.

The route meticulously blends 4x4 tracks, quiet paved lanes, and moments of single-track, ensuring a varied and engaging ride. Each turn reveals a new facet of the alpine environment, from the deep historical echoes of the French/Italian border to the ever-present grandeur of the high peaks.

As the journey progresses into Haute Savoie, the majestic Mont Blanc comes into view, offering breathtaking vistas alongside glaciers. The path then leads into Switzerland, circling the imposing Dents du Midi mountains, where picturesque alpine panoramas unfold, accompanied by the gentle rhythm of cowbells.

Returning to France, the descent to the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) marks the contemplative conclusion of this challenging trajectory. The Alps Divide is designed to test physical and mental fortitude, demanding preparedness for sustained climbs and sections where pushing the bike is an integral part of the experience. It is a route that balances the demanding nature of the terrain with moments of profound natural beauty.

Participants can choose their preferred style of engagement: the ULTRA for those seeking to push limits against a virtual clock, the RALLY for a shared start and camaraderie without deadlines, or the TOUR for self-paced exploration. Regardless of the chosen format, this route promises a deep dive into the alpine landscape, providing a true gravel events in France experience that etches itself into memory.

The journey through these high mountains is one of immersion, where the gravel under tyres becomes a soundtrack to discovery. This bikepacking France adventure redefines what it means to connect with the landscape, one demanding pedal stroke at a time, through some of the most inspiring scenery on the continent.