🏍️ Motorcycle Touring in Val di Susa: Ride the Legendary European Routes of Piemonte
- Angie Kirwin
- Sep 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 11
Once the snow melts and the temperatures rise, motorcyclists flock to our little corner of Piemonte, on the border of France & Italy.
And that's with good reason. Few places in Europe offer the same mix of dramatic scenery, twisting mountain passes, and rich history as the Val di Susa.
From the door of The Hideaway Apartments you’re just minutes away from some of the most famous motorcycle routes in the Alps — whether you want high-altitude gravel tracks or smooth tarmac with endless switchbacks.
🌄 The Via dell’Assietta
A bucket-list route for adventure riders, the Via dell’Assietta runs for 34 km along a gravel ridge between Sauze d'Oulx, Sestriere and Pian dell’Alpe, and it's almost entirely above 2,000 m. The road was originally built as a military supply route, but today it’s loved by bikers for its mix of history, sweeping panoramas, and ridgeline riding.
📅 Good to know: The Assietta is closed to motor traffic on Wednesdays and Saturdays in high summer (July & August), but open to motorbikes the rest of the week. It’s gravel riding, but never too difficult, and the views are breathtaking.
🏔️ Colle delle Finestre
One of the most famous passes in the Alps, the Colle delle Finestre climbs to 2,178 m, with its final 8 km unpaved. It’s steep, challenging, and spectacular, often used as a stage in the Giro d’Italia. From the summit, you can loop back via Sestriere or head down into Val Chisone for a longer day out.
🇮🇹/🇫🇷 Colle del Moncenisio (Mont Cenis Pass)
A sweeping tarmac road connecting Italy and France, the Colle del Moncenisio is perfect for those who love smooth asphalt and big views. The turquoise Mont Cenis lake at the top is a stunning place to stop for photos, and the descent into France offers fast, open curves. Not to be missed.
🏞️ Colle del Monginevro (Montgenèvre Pass)
Easier than some of the higher climbs, the Colle del Monginevro (1,850 m) links Oulx with Briançon in France. It’s a classic route for motorbike tours across the border, with options to connect onto the Route des Grandes Alpes or loop back into Italy via Claviere and Cesana.
The route up from Oulx to Montgenèvre has a view tunnels and isn't the most exciting, but the ride down into Briançon is insanely stunning, with tight, slow switchbacks the whole way with the added bonus of visiting the old town and fort on the other side of the border in France.
🏛️ A Ride Through History
Beyond the passes, motorcycling in Val di Susa is about atmosphere. The Strada Statale 24 winds past the historic Forte di Exilles fortress and the imposing Sacra di San Michele, perched high above the valley. It’s a mix of epic riding and cultural stops you won’t find elsewhere.
Stop in Susa to visit all the incredibly well preserved Roman buildings like the amphitheatre and the Roman arch.
🛏️ Base Yourself at The Hideaway
After a long day on the bike, you’ll want somewhere to unwind.
At The Hideaway Apartments in Borgata San Marco, just outside Sauze d'Oulx you’ll find:
✅ On-site parking (available upon request)
✅ Outdoor areas and seating to put your feet up and enjoy a beer as the sun sets
✅ Heated clothes dryers (available upon request)
✅ Modern apartments with fully equipped kitchens — so you can cook, relax, and plan the next day’s adventure
👉 Whether you’re here to tick the Via dell’Assietta off your list, take on the legendary Colle delle Finestre, or simply cruise between Italy and France, Val di Susa is one of the best motorcycle touring destinations in Europe.
Book your stay at The Hideaway and make it your basecamp for motorbike touring, gravel riding or off-road adventures.
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