Road · France
Nivolet Pass from Ceresole Reale
A mountainous 19 km road cycling route from Ceresole Reale through Villa, with 1,055 m of climbing over the Villa climb.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 18.5 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,055 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 19 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Ceresole Reale
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,055 m
- 19 km
Route description
- Ceresole Reale
- Villa
- Villa climb
The ride starts in Ceresole Reale and passes the small settlements of Borgiallo at 0.9 km and Villa at 2.2 km. The main climb begins shortly after Villa at 2.5 km and continues for 15.3 km with an average gradient of 6.6% and max gradient of 11.4%, reaching 2605 m altitude near the end of the route at 17.8 km. The lowest point of the ride is at 1580 m at 1 km.
The surface is predominantly paved (98%), mostly on minor roads for 81% of the distance, with 16% on main roads without cycle lanes for 2.9 km. There is a steep sustained gradient with 12.2 km over 5% and 6.4 km over 8%, including 1.3 km over 10%. Services include cafés and bike rentals near the start, a viewpoint at 4.2 km, restaurants, drinking water points, and toilets at various locations. There is a longest stretch without café, shop, or water over 6.8 km from 11.5 km to 18.3 km.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Villa climb (15.3 km at 6.6 %).
- Tops out at 2,605 m, 17.8 km in.
Highlights
- Nivolet Pass summit at 2605 m
- Marmitte G. viewpoint at 4.2 km
- Steep gradients up to 11.4%
- Ceresole Reale start town with cafés and bike rental
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villa climb | 2.5 km | 15.3 km · 1015 m · 6.6 % · max 11.4 % | 15.3 km · 1015 m · 6.6 % | 2605 m |
Villa climb · full ascent, starts at 2.5 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 3 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 79% minor road · 16% main road · 5% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 3% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 79% climbing · 9% descending · 11% flat
- Steep sections
- 12.2 km over 5% · 6.4 km over 8% · 1.3 km over 10%
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 9 cafés and restaurants, 10 water points, 4 public toilets and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmCaffè Moretti · café · on the route
- 0 kmToilets · on the route
- 0 kmDispensario Farmaceutico · pharmacy · on the route
- 0.1 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 0.5 kmBig Paradise Fun Park · bike rental · 50 m off route
- 4.4 kmBar Ristorante Lo Sciatore · restaurant · 40 m off route
- 9.6 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 11.3 kmLa Baracca · restaurant · on the route
- 11.5 kmToilets · 70 m off route
Worth a stop
- 4.2 km — Marmitte G. (viewpoint)
Start and access
At the start
- Bikes and repair
- Noleggio Moretti (10 m)
- Food and coffee
- Caffè Moretti (10 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water: 6.8 km after 11.5 km
- 2.9 km on main roads without cycle lane
- Steep sustained gradients up to 11.4%
