Mountain Bike Riding

MTB Route in Balboutet and along the Strada dell’Assietta in the municipality of Usseaux (Turin, Piedmont)

A guided mountain bike tour designed for those who love physical challenges, history, and the great outdoors. This route stays consistently above 2,000 meters in elevation, offering sweeping views that stretch across the Val Chisone, the Val di Susa, and the Dauphiné.

The journey begins in Balboutet, a picturesque Alpine village in the municipality of Usseaux. An initial paved ascent leads to the Pian dell’Alpe plateau, in the Orsiera-Rocciavrè Natural Park, where visitors can watch high-altitude milking in the summer. From here, the route turns to a dirt road, joining the historic Assietta military road toward Sestriere. At about 2,500 meters, there’s a stop for lunch at Casa Assietta. The return journey winds along unpaved descents through the forests of the Val Chisone, before the final climb toward Balboutet, where a visit to a cheese-aging cellar with a cheese tasting wraps up the day.

The route covers 60 kilometers with 1,500 meters of elevation gain, for an estimated travel time of 8 hours, including stops. The ideal time to visit is from July to September. E-bikes are permitted, but for safety reasons, the group will maintain a consistent pace suited to regular bicycles. Equipment can be rented on site.

To participate, you must be in good physical condition and have a helmet and a mountain bike in perfect condition. Required equipment includes a spare inner tube, at least 1.5 liters of water, and layered clothing suitable for high-mountain weather.