Birrone Pass – Sampeyre Pass loop from Busca

Bike touring routes & trails

Birrone Pass – Sampeyre Pass loop from Busca

Hard

5.0

(4)

117

riders

Birrone Pass – Sampeyre Pass loop from Busca

08:18

83.1km

2,280m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: November 4, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

1.39 km

Busca

Highlight • Settlement

Busca is a town at the foot of the morainic hills between the Maira and Varaita valleys. Precisely because of its position, it boasts a mild climate that has been appreciated since ancient times. The name appears for the first time in a document dating back to 1123.
The town develops around the ancient historic center surrounded by walls, partly still visible.

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3.36 km

View of the Alps from Monte Pagliano

Highlight • Viewpoint

on the asphalted road that leads to the hermitage of busca

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4.47 km

Monument to Marco Pantani on the Colletta di Rossana

Highlight • Monument

Placed in May 2016 to greet the passage of the Giro d'Italia and pay homage to the "Pirate" Pantani, this plaque is an initiative promoted by the municipality of Busca with Costigliole Saluzzo and Rossana and with the support of the passionate Mario Berardo. Created by the Verzuolo craftsman Massimo Mondino, the work is a destination for tourists and enthusiasts.

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11.2 km

Colle della Liretta

Mountain Pass

13.0 km

Start of Strada dei Cannoni

Highlight • Trail

The Cannon Road begins here. In winter, it's groomed and made skiable.

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27.1 km

Birrone Pass

Highlight • Mountain Pass

A nice break on the long climb of Strada dei Cannoni. Nice views to the southern valley and to the eastern mountain, and also to the western side.

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33.9 km

Strada Cannoni

Highlight • Trail

A high track in a stunning setting, the cannonball run of gravel riding. Bring your fat tyres (it's been re-surfaced in places since the original TNR events though so it's not quite the pinball experience that it once was).

"Big ole gravel... Some might call them rocks"
- Bas Rotgans

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41.5 km

Sampeyre Pass

Highlight • Mountain Pass

It is a difficult pass, with an average gradient of 7.6% and a passage of 10.8%. It is classified in the passes out of category by professional cyclists. The fabulous landscapes are there to encourage you!

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41.6 km

Strada dei Cannoni (Varaita-Maira Ridge Road)

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Gravel fans get their money's worth here, or reach their limits. Ideally, you take them under the wheels with a large portion of courage and humor and see them as a dress rehearsal in front of the legendary Ligurian border ridge road.

Coarse gravel, hairpin bends and some steep inclines require full attention along the entire route. This section runs mainly above 2000m altitude, you are in high alpine terrain. Far and wide there is no trace of settlements, even if only in the form of huts.

The landscape is simply breathtaking: the former military road meanders along the mountain almost as if carved into it.

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