P'tites Routes du Soleil
Les Ferres / Nice
From the Col des Ferres (a pass at 596m), the P’tites Routes du Soleil® leads you over to the south side of Le Cheiron Mountain. The high-perched road offers far-reaching open views over the Var Valley and the Nice urban area. You’ve almost made it, the Mediterranean in the background calling out to you! Once you’ve negotiated the climb towards the Oratoire Saint-Marc (1,016m), near Coursegoules, the descent towards the sea via the Col de Vence (a pass at 963m) goes swiftly. Now, you’re reaching the end of the route, riding along the coast up to Nice’s famed Promenade des Anglais, at the end of the P’tites Routes du Soleil.
Gradients and elevation
Ascents: 915m
Descents: 1521m
Lowest point: 1m
Highest point: 1018m
Slope breakdown
11km steep descent (< -5%)
15km gentle descent (-5% to -1%)
25km flat (-1% to 2%)
10km climb (2% to 5%)
3km hard climb (5% to 8%)
Road types
12km (19%) of cycle paths
52km (81%) of shared roads
- Cycle path
- Routes reserved for cyclists and pedestrians (greenways, cycle tracks, towpaths), separated from cars for maximum safety.
- Shared road
- Quiet minor roads with little traffic (unless otherwise stated in the stage details). Shared with cars (stay alert).
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
- Provisional
- Section on a road or cycle path awaiting better-quality facilities (see stage details).
Surface
64km (99%) of smooth surface
- Smooth
- Asphalt, tarmac or smooth concrete. Optimal comfort.
- Rough
- Fine gravel, compacted stabilised surface or worn tarmac. Less comfortable, vibrations possible.
- Natural
- Dirt, grass, roots or stones. Under 5%: short sections with little impact. Higher percentage: route suited to mountain or gravel bikes only.
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
Don't miss:
- Nice: the Baie des Anges, Nice’s famous bay; the Promenade des Anglais, Nice’s famous exceptionally long and broad pedestrian promenade; plus a thousand and one other attractions. Nice hardly needs introducing as the cultural, artistic, economic capital of the Côte d’Azur, as well as a major tourist and student city…
- Le Train des Pignes: for over 100 years, the Chemins de Fer de Provence has linked the southern French Alps to the Mediterranean. Bikes are accepted on board.
- Vence and Saint-Paul de Vence: neighbouring town and village, both known far and wide as highly picturesque, artistic haunts, neither to be missed.
- Coursegoules: a very beautiful, architecturally harmonious village at the foot of Le Cheiron mountain range. Most of the houses date back to medieval times and were built in regional grey stone with tinges of other colours and topped with Roman tiles.
