Have you ever dreamed of a place where every road tells a story, every climb offers a view, and every stop becomes a discovery? Welcome to the Pinerolese, the “Land of Bikes”, where slowness is a value and the bicycle is the ideal way to explore an authentic corner of Piedmont, less than an hour from Turin.
With the Upslowtour project, this bike-friendly territory reveals all its beauty: mountains and hills, villages and castles, vineyards and pastures weave together in routes suited to every cycling style, whether you’re seeking a sporting adventure or pure relaxation on two wheels.
Upslowtour is an invitation to slow down.
Born from an idea of the Unione Montana del Pinerolese in collaboration with local authorities and associations, Upslowtour is a network of cycling routes that enhances the landscape, culture, and food & wine heritage of the Pinerolese.
The name says it all: “Up”, because here you climb, but without rushing; “slow”, because slowness lets you grasp the soul of a place; “tour”, because each route is a journey into the heart of a surprising land.
A destination to enjoy by bike all year round
The Cottian Alps in the background, the wide-open plains, the Chisone and Pellice valleys, the forests of the Germanasca Valley, the hillside vineyards: the Pinerolese is an open-air gym for bike lovers.
The Upslowtour routes are well presented on a digital platform that provides maps, elevation profiles, points of interest, tourist info, and suggestions for tasty or cultural stops. Physical signage guides cyclists along the way, while QR codes and themed panels offer in-depth local knowledge with just a tap on your smartphone.
All routes are also available on Outdooractive and will soon be featured on Komoot.
Cycling through historic villages, nature, and craftsmanship
Each route is designed to offer different experiences. You can choose valley floor routes, mostly flat, or venture into Val Pellice or Val Germanasca, where nature, Waldensian culture, and biodiversity coexist in harmony.
Or climb up the Val Chisone towards Fenestrelle – with its Fortress – and Usseaux, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Along the way, you’ll find artisan workshops, open-air museums, local markets, and producers welcoming cycle tourists.
Upslowtour Bike Experience: a dedicated service network in the Pinerolese
The Pinerolese is ready to welcome you with bike-friendly accommodation, repair shops and e-bike charging points, bike rentals, and stores selling gear and spare parts.
Not to mention cycling tour guides and transfers for day trips or multi-stage routes. The project has built a network of dedicated operators and services to ensure a complete, safe, and enjoyable experience.
Events, local flavors, and sustainability
Riding through the Pinerolese also means discovering its traditions: local fairs, cultural events, music festivals, and sports happenings. You’ll also get to taste mountain cheeses, local wines, traditional sweets, and other zero-km delicacies.
The iconic route
Each route in the Pinerolese has its own highlights and curiosities, but one above all – for MTB enthusiasts, whether traditional or electric – will take your breath away (literally!): the Refuge Loop, a “classic” in Val Pellice.
You can ride it in a day – polenta and a beer at the refuge are a must! – or turn it into one of the three “petals” of a flower-shaped tour based in Bobbio Pellice. Or take two days, staying overnight in one of the mountain huts (one of which, Rifugio Barant, is set to become a true “bike chalet”).
