ou leave Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée (1144 m), in the heart of the Tinée valley, for a beautiful 25.4 kilometer ride. The 1,658 meters of ascent and descent await you on a fairly even average gradient of 6.5%.

The route begins with a stretch of almost 700 meters, where the gradient shows 6.5% before turning into a gentler climb, oscillating between 3.5% and 4.5% over a length of 2.9 km, running parallel to the Tinée stream. The road then rises steeply for 450 metres at 6.5% until it reaches Pont Haut. At the crossroads indicating St-Dalmas-le-Selvage on the left, turn right towards Le Pra-Bousiéyas. The road narrows, but the gradient remains the same: 5.5% for 1.8 km, all the way to Pont de Vens. This is followed by a short but intense 500-meter climb at 8% to one of the wonders of the route: the Cascade de Vens. Two hairpin bends then offer varied perspectives on this site.

Continue for 1.7 km at 6.5/7% towards the vallon du Pra. Up to the hamlet of Le Pra, you'll have a moment to recover, with a 1.5 km section at 5.5%. After Pra, prepare for a long 10 km climb with an average gradient of 7.5%. An initial series of three hairpin bends takes you to Bousiéyas, the last inhabited area. You leave behind you the Vallée de la Tinée, whose source lies on the slopes of the cime de la Bonette.

A sequence of twelve bends takes you past côte 2000, between kilometers 14 and 15. There's a stunning panoramic view, and you'll pass through the camp des Fourches, a disused military cantonment.

cycliste bonette

Take it easy on the next section (6/7% gradient), because beyond the Stèle du Général Jacquemot, who was struck by lightning on the southern slope in 1931, the road becomes particularly demanding: 225 meters at 10%, followed by 700 meters at 8.5%. Hard on the lungs!

After this difficult section, moderate effort for the next 1,700 meters which show 5.5% up to the Col de Raspaillon, also known as the Col des Granges Communes (2,513 m). At last, you can see the summit of La Bonette!

At the exit of the Col de Raspaillon, a 500-meter slope break at 8% still challenges your endurance. The next 700 meters at 3.5% represent a soothing interlude before the final assault. All that remains is to climb 1.8 km at 7.5% to reach the Col de la Bonette (2715 m). There are two options here: a climb to the left and one to the right, both equally formidable. We advise you to take the left to complete the ascent of the southern slope in style.

Warning: the final 875 meters represent an average gradient of 10%, with an ultimate effort of 12% on the last 100 meters! You will then have conquered the highest road in France (2802 m). Well done!