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Nice Col d’Èze Riviera Loop
Nice

Nice Col d’Èze Riviera Loop

A classic Riviera ride from Nice, built around Col d’Èze, Mediterranean views and a smooth return towards the city.

Distance
35 to 65 km
Elevation Gain
700 to 1,300 m
Ride Time
2.5 to 4.5 hours
Difficulty
Challenging
Surface
Road
Start
Nice
Best Season
March to June and September to November

Col d’Èze is the obvious first climb from Nice. It starts close to the city, rises steadily above the coast and gives you that perfect Riviera contrast: traffic and city energy at the start, open views and quieter roads once you climb.

This route idea works well as a first day in the area. Keep it simple. Start in Nice, climb Col d’Èze, then decide whether to return directly or add a wider loop through the hills above the coast. The ride does not need to be huge to feel complete.

How to Build This Ride

  • Start in Nice and ride towards the lower slopes of Col d’Èze.
  • Climb Col d’Èze from the city side.
  • Continue towards Èze or La Turbie depending on your route choice.
  • Return towards Nice by a safe coastal or inland road.
  • Finish in the city for coffee or lunch.

Climbs Included

Villages & Coffee Stops

  • Nice is the main base and finish. Èze and La Turbie can work as route anchors, especially if you want a scenic stop above the coast. For coffee, Nice gives the easiest and most reliable finish.

Make it shorter

Climb Col d’Èze and return directly to Nice without adding a wider loop.

Make it harder

Extend towards La Turbie, Menton or the inland roads above Monaco, but check traffic and road choice carefully.

Local Notes

The first and final kilometres around Nice can be busy. The climb itself is manageable, but the route quality depends heavily on how well you connect the city roads with the quieter sections.

This is a flexible ride idea, not a turn-by-turn route. Use the climbs, villages and notes above to build your own GPX in Komoot, Strava, Ride with GPS or another planner before you ride.

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