Cycle tourism & Great Alpine passes
Pra Loup A name engraved in the history of the Tour
Since 1975, the name Pra Loup has resonated in the hearts of cycling enthusiasts. It was here that Bernard Thévenet ended the reign of Eddy Merckx during a mythical stage of the Tour de France. 217 km from Nice, and a breathless finale in the hairpin bends leading to the resort. A page of legend, and the beginning of a myth.
Today, Pra Loup is not just a mountain resort: it is an essential playground for road cycling. Whether you are a climber at heart, a roller pass enthusiast or a Sunday cyclist, here you will find something to surpass yourself.
Iconic Bike Passes
- The climb to Pra Loup (1600m). This is the most famous road. 9.4 km from Barcelonnette, 5.3% average and passages at more than 10%. Short, nervous, intense – exactly like the one that gave Bernard Thévenet the victory.
- The Col d’Allos. 22 km of ascent between Ubaye and Verdon. 6% average gradient, balcony bends and a wild atmosphere. A mythical pass of the Tour not to be missed.
- The Col de la Cayolle (2,326 m). Less steep (4.2%), but longer, it takes you through forests, gorges and mountain pastures to the borders of the Mercantour.
These three passes are an integral part of the Brevet des 7 Cols de l’Ubaye, a life-size challenge for the most seasoned cyclists.
The Randonnée des Trois Cols: the cycling event of the summer
Make way for bicycles
Every year, on the first Sunday in August, it’s the famous hike of the 3 passes (Col d’Allos, Col des Champs, Col de la Cayolle). Make way for cycling on these 3 mythical passes, in joy and good humor.
A 100% cycling area
Beyond the infrastructure, Pra Loup is part of a valley entirely open to cycling. Through the Brevet des 7 Cols, summer events, sports stays and the local community, the resort affirms its cycling culture. More than 4,000 km of roads and trails crisscross the Ubaye territory.
Between passes, forests, ridges and pastoral paths, each route offers a different view of the mountain. Thrill seekers will be served: here, effort and beauty always go hand in hand.
Cycling enthusiast?
Pra Loup is not satisfied with road cycling. It is also a famous destination for mountain biking. Its modern and well-equipped Bike Park offers five downhill trails with a difference in altitude of 550 m and up to 5.5 km in length. It welcomes all profiles: beginners, technical enthusiasts, experienced downhillers.
But the resort’s commitment does not stop there. In 2021, Pra Loup hosted the UCI Masters Mountain Bike World Championships, confirming its status as a stronghold of mountain biking.
The possibilities are numerous : cross-country courses, forest trails, alpine loops… All styles find their place, between technicality, beauty of landscapes and variety of terrains.
