Road Cycling Routes near Menton

Col de Braus and back via the coast

110.3 km • 1900 m • Hard

Starting from Menton, this ride has a clear double personality. The first part hugs the coastline into Ventimiglia with open sea views and a Riviera feel before turning inland up the Roya valley, where the landscape tightens and the road begins to climb into quieter mountain terrain. Crossing back into France toward Sospel, the shift from coast to alpine setting feels complete as you begin the ascent of Col de Braus from its eastern side. Riding Braus this way carries a special reward: descending the iconic western face, where perfectly stacked hairpins drop dramatically toward the valley below. After returning toward Nice, the route finishes along the coast past Monaco, bringing the sea back into view and closing the loop with the same Riviera brightness that opened the day.

Monaco Sightseeing

55.6 km • 942 m • Moderate

Col de Castillon and back via Italy

59.7 km • 1074 m • Moderate

Head out of Menton towards Sopel and tackle the Col de Castillon. Continue your way into Italy and descent back to the coach and roll back into France.

Col de la Madonne from Menton

40.8 km • 1029 m • Moderate

Short loop from Menton that takes you up to the Col de la Madonne and down towards Monaco. The route will guide you past Monaco but you can consider a scenic detour through this small city-state.

Pays des Paillons

76.3 km • 1819 m • Hard

This route explores the inland territory known as the Pays des Paillons, a network of valleys and perched villages that sit between the Riviera coastline and the first serious mountain ridges. Leaving Menton, the ride quickly shifts away from the sea and into a more rural, traditional landscape shaped by the Paillon river and its tributaries. The character is defined by quiet roads, stone villages like Peille and L Escarene, and a constant sense of riding between valleys rather than along the coast. The return via the high roads near La Turbie brings the Mediterranean back into view, closing a loop that feels culturally distinct from the Riviera despite being only a few kilometres inland.