Pinpinier Pass

Altitude 1136 m

Massif des Préalpes de Castellane

Département Alpes-Maritimes

Topo West side

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The Col de Pinpinier will be one of the easiest "1000 m" of your trip. It's a long, rising false flat - max 3.5% - offering almost no difficulty.

East side topo

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As much as the Col de Pinpinier was one of the easiest "1000 m" of the Petites Routes du Soleil itinerary in the Thonon > Nice direction, its opposite side will give you more trouble!
Starting from La Roque-en-Provence, the ascent is very long at almost 24 kilometers. Even though there are 2 descents, the total vertical drop exceeds 1,000 m, which means you'll have to manage it well.
You'll often have to deal with the slope. You'll often have to contend with a gradient that alternates between 5% and 7%, but you'll be able to enjoy a narrow road lost in the middle of nowhere - a spectacular crossing at the Clue d'Aiglun with 2 tunnels carved out of the rock - that ends on a cornice in the final stretch.
The road is on the south side, not very steep. The road is south-facing, with little shade, and can be very hot in summer.

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Saint-Auban / Les Ferres

20 Saint-Auban / Les Ferres

50 km
5 h 45 min
Medium
The P’tites Routes du Soleil® here makes use of the Tour des Préalpes d’Azur cycle route, crossing the regional natural park carrying the same name. You follow the Estéron River along this stretch, with its vertiginous canyons and turquoise waters. Along the way, you’ll pass by Provençal villages set against rockfaces all bathed in southern light. Much of this stage consists of descents heading south. The route leads you gently and safely to the Var’s natural balconies looking down towards the Mediterranean, your ultimate destination. Note that the Col de Pinpinier (1,136m) is one of the easiest passes over 1,000m to tackle along the whole P’tites Routes du Soleil cycle route!

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Joris Lesueur

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