With Samer Abouhamad
Torino to Nice
A ten-day bikepacking crossing of the Alps, from Torino to the sea — camping, cols, and a small group riding it together.
The big idea
Whether this is your introduction to bikepacking, a chance to test your setup before a bigger adventure, or simply an opportunity to ride and share the experience with like-minded people — this is a guided bikepacking trip through the Alps, from Torino to Nice, with Samer leading the way. It isn't a fixed itinerary handed to you on day one: we map a dense corridor of cols, lakes, huts, and hidden villages between the two, and each day the group chooses the route together with Samer as you go. Your nights split three ways: real camping under the stars, nights in mountain refuges, and a couple of nights in selected private houses where the whole group gathers for dinner and downtime together.
- Teamwork
- route chosen together, day by day
- Small group
- kept intimate, not a tour bus
- Guided, not managed
- Samer rides with you, not behind you
- Real experience
- led by someone who's actually done it
Why Samer, Why Grit & Dust
Why Samer
- 3 years
- on the road
- 75,000+ km
- ridden
- 60+ countries
- crossed
- 6 continents
- covered
“I rode over 75,000km across six continents over three years. Coming back, I realized biking is the best way to adventure travel. The bicycle builds an inherent connection with people — everyone has ridden one as a kid. I want to share that passion with others. Biking really changed my life, and I believe it can change yours too.”
Why Grit & Dust
- Founder
- of Grit & Dust
- 100+
- adventurers interviewed
- Trail runner
- 100km alpine races
- Adventure rider
- off-road motorcycling
“I met Samer about a year ago, and among the many adventurers we've interviewed at Grit & Dust, I believe Samer has a truly special approach to discovering the world — and a special energy when sharing those moments with the community. After joining his bikepacking trip last year, organizing this next one together felt like a natural next step.”
The route, at a glance
The trip blends rugged bikepacking with cultural discovery — challenging roads and wild landscapes mixed with local food, coffee stops, small towns, and mountain scenery. There's no better way to discover a region than by bike.
Strada dell'Assietta
A 34km military road that stays above 2,000m for its entire length — one of the most famous gravel roads in the Alps.
Colle delle Finestre
The iconic gravel-topped Giro d'Italia climb, straight out of the gate.
Chianale
A stone-and-slate village at 1,800m, one of Italy's most beautiful, right on the French border.
Lac de Pontechianale
A turquoise reservoir beside Chianale, with an old bell tower that reappears when the water's low.
Col d'Izoard
The Casse Déserte's lunar rock landscape — the backdrop to some of the Tour de France's most legendary moments.
Col Agnel
One of the high passes linking Italy and France through the Queyras.
Colle Fauniera
Pantani's breakaway climb from the '99 Giro — rarely under 10% gradient.
Col de Tende
The historic Italy–France border crossing, with 48 hairpin bends carved into the descent.
Vallée des Merveilles
A side excursion on foot from Casterino: over 35,000 prehistoric rock engravings in a high alpine valley.
Saorge
A fortified village clinging to the mountainside, officially one of France's most beautiful.
Col de Turini
A Monte Carlo Rally legend, with a summit café where riders take shelter.
Nice — Promenade des Anglais
The finish: the Promenade des Anglais and Vieux Nice, journey's end at the Mediterranean.
The team vibe
This isn't a service you book and show up for — it's closer to a small group of people who happen to also be riding bikes together. Grit & Dust is an adventure journal; Samer is a hands-on adventurer. Put those together and the trip becomes as much about the stories shared around a fire as the kilometers covered in a day.
“Riding with Samer on a bikepacking trip was an experience that I will remember forever. His knowledge and flexibility from his extensive cycling around the world translated into a smooth group trip despite weather and logistics challenges. And while he led, he always did it with a smile, made decisions with the best intentions of the group in mind, and helped to foster lasting friendships.”
“Conclusion is that it was one of the best trips I had. Favorite part, I can't decide between the persons you gathered, the positive energy, the stories each one shared and the sights we saw. But I think in the end I will say the people. I was surprised I was included, even though my fitness level was way below the group average. But I have to say I was motivated :) Also, the way you quickly adjusted the route convinced me I am in the right place. Additionally your help to tune my equipment was paramount for the trip success.”
“An unforgettable adventure through the French Alps! The scenery was phenomenal, limestone gorges with crystal clear rivers and lakes. A perfect blend of challenging climbs and breathtaking views. An absolute must! The trip could not have been better, and I am still smiling! Our camaraderie really made the experience special, and I owe so much to your calm demeanor, expertise, and knowledge. Thank you for everything!”
What's included
Stay
Support
Included Extras
A few quick questions
Who is this trip for?
Medium-to-advanced riders will feel at home. So will beginners with real determination and a decent base of fitness — the support van is there either way if a day gets to be too much. Groups stay intentionally small and personal — enough for real camaraderie, never a tour bus.
Do I need my own bike?
Either works — bring your own or arrange a rental through us ahead of time. Full detail in the trip guide.
How hard is the riding?
Genuinely challenging in places (multiple big mountain passes), but paced for a mixed group — and the support van is always within reach if you need it.
What if I've never bikepacked or camped before?
That's fine. Samer teaches the skills you need on the road — packing, camp setup, the basics — as part of the trip.
Where does the trip start and end, and how do I get there?
We meet in Pinerolo, just outside Torino, for a shared arrival night before Day 1. The trip finishes in Nice, on the Mediterranean. Full arrival/departure logistics are in the trip guide.
Will we ride together as a group, or is it every rider for themselves?
We ride together as a group, at a pace that works for everyone — nobody's left behind, and the support van is there if someone needs a break. There's room to push a little harder on a climb if you want to, but we regroup at the top.
What's the accommodation like night to night — do I need my own tent, will I share a room?
It varies by night — private house, mountain refuges, camping, and hotels/lodges (see What's included above). Camping ground fees are covered as part of the trip, but tents and camping gear are not provided — you'll need to bring your own. Hotel/refuge nights may involve sharing a room, more detail in the trip guide.
Is there a luggage size limit for the support van?
Yes — pack for a multi-day trip in one bag, not a full wardrobe. Exact size guidance is in the trip guide.
What happens if the weather turns or a pass is closed?
Some of the passes and refuges on this route are weather-dependent, so the route may shift slightly if conditions demand it — that's part of the adventure. Samer plans for it and will always choose safety over sticking rigidly to the plan.
More from the road
A few shots from Samer's past trips and last year's trip from Briançon to Gorges du Verdon to give you a feel for it.
Photo credits
- Strada dell'Assietta — Cm2white / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Colle delle Finestre — Jks93 / Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain
- Chianale — Gabygaiffe / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
- Lac de Pontechianale — Luca Bergamasco / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
- Col d'Izoard — Stephan Brunker / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Col Agnel — Mikel Ortega / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Colle Fauniera — Ezio.Donadio / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Col de Tende — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Vallée des Merveilles — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Saorge — Patrick Rouzet / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Col de Turini — Zairon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
- Nice — Promenade des Anglais — Patafisik / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0