Gole del Cians e di Daluis

The alarm rings early, but there is no room for sleepiness when the itinerary promises some of the most spectacular roads in Europe. By 08:00 AM, the tank is filled to the brim, the tires are checked, and the engine of our motorcycle is humming with anticipation. Leaving the morning haze behind, we set off into the crisp morning air, ready to conquer the curves. Our first quick pitstop at 09:20 AM is for a hot espresso and a flaky croissant—fuel for the rider is just as important as fuel for the machine.

As the road begins to climb, the air grows cooler and the pine trees give way to rocky alpine landscapes. Before attacking the steep ascent of the border pass, we pull over for a quick moment. The light is perfect, so out comes the SLR camera for a beautiful landscape shot, capturing the pristine wildness of the Italian-French borderland.

By late morning, we reach the summit of Colle della Lombarda at 2,350 meters above sea level. This high mountain pass is a motorcycle paradise: tight switchbacks, narrow tarmac, and sheer drops that command respect and concentration. The border crossing into France feels like entering a different dimension, where the wind whispers stories of ancient geological shifts.

Descending into the French valleys, the temperature rises and the rhythm changes. We flow effortlessly through the sweeping turns towards the Col de la Couillole. At 1,678 meters, this pass offers panoramic views over deep green valleys, and we stop to capture the sweeping vistas. The contrast of the warm sun and the cool alpine breeze on our faces is the absolute essence of motorcycle touring.

And then, the highlight of the day begins to reveal itself. The earth suddenly blushes into a deep, blood-red hue as we enter the breathtaking Gole di Daluis. Carved by the Var River through red pelite clay, these gorges are otherworldly. The road clings to the vertical red cliffs, passing through raw rock-cut tunnels that open up to dizzying views of the canyon below. The sensation of riding between these vibrant crimson walls under a bright blue sky is simply indescribable.

At 01:10 PM, we find a scenic rest area overlooking the stunning gorge. It is time to unpack our picnic lunch. Eating a simple sandwich while sitting on a precipice, staring down into the red abyss of Daluis, is a five-star dining experience. We take a moment to snap a few high-quality pictures of the bike framed by the magnificent canyon walls.

The beauty of this geological wonder is magnetic, and we cannot resist taking another short detour to document the stunning textures of the red rock formations. Every curve reveals a new, spectacular angle of this canyon, urging us to stop, breathe, and capture the moment.

Continuing our descent, we ride through sections of the gorge where the road splits—one lane hugging the cliff edge, the other tunneling through the heart of the mountain. The sound of our motorcycle exhaust echoing off the canyon walls is pure music to our ears.

Just when we thought the scenery could not get any more dramatic, we enter the Gole del Cians. Often called the 'Colorado of the French Alps', the Cians gorge is narrower and even more intense than Daluis. The dark red gorges close in on the road, creating a thrilling and intimate riding experience where the rock walls seem almost close enough to touch.

We stop at a safe pull-off inside the Cians gorge to appreciate the raw force of nature. The red pelite rocks here are incredibly steep, polished by centuries of rushing water from the Cians torrent. It is a humbling place that demands you to turn off your engine just to listen to the silence and the rushing river.

With our minds absolutely blown by the red canyons, we mount up and start our return journey towards Italy. The road climbs back up towards the sky, taking us through winding mountain switchbacks and dramatic changes in elevation. The transitions from warm canyon floors to cool pine forests are incredibly refreshing.

By late afternoon, we reach the high-altitude resort of Isola 2000. It is the perfect place to park the bike, stretch our legs, and enjoy a cold drink. The air is thin and refreshing, and we take a moment to reflect on the incredible miles we have ridden today before crossing the border back into Italy.

But the day is not over yet. To close this epic ride in the best possible way, we ride down into Piedmont and stop at the famous Baladin Open Garden in Piozzo. Here, surrounded by hop fields and a lively atmosphere, we feast on a rich, slow-cooked pork shank (stinco) paired with a world-class craft beer. It is the ultimate reward for a long day in the saddle.

As night falls, we cover the final stretch of highway back to Turin, arriving at 10:00 PM. Our muscles are tired, our gear is covered in dust, but our hearts are completely full of the crimson magic of the Cians and Daluis gorges.