1,000 km | 25,000 m D+ | 2 Nations | The Highest Military Roads in Europe
THE ORIGINS OF THE MYTH
From a wild idea to an Ultracycling legend. The 20k was not designed at a desk; it was born among the hairpin turns of the Western Alps. It sprang from the desire to unite historic mountain passes, military roads, and forgotten trails into a single, immense breath.
After 9 years of competitive racing at the limits of human endurance, today the 20k evolves. It becomes an Heritage Rally: a tribute to those peaks that have seen champions and pioneers pass by, now entirely yours to conquer.
THE PILLARS OF THE ROUTE
1,000 kilometers uniting Italy and France, from the sea to the clouds.
- Colle del Sommeiller (3,000m): The highest point, the roof of the Rally. An endless climb that takes you where the grass stops growing and the realm of rock and silence begins. Reaching 3,000 meters with your bike is a true rite of passage.
- Gardetta Plateau: Often called the “Little Scotland of the Alps.” A majestic plateau dominated by the silhouette of Rocca la Meja, where the track runs free through breathtaking high-altitude alpine meadows.
- Monti della Luna (Moon Mountains): The name says it all. A harsh, wild, and primordial landscape between Claviere and Montgenèvre, where it feels like cycling on another planet.
- Via del Sale (The Salt Road): Riding along the ridge between Piedmont and Liguria, with the scent of sea salt rising from the valleys while your gaze gets lost towards the Mediterranean.
- Strada dell’Assietta: The road of the skies, the highest military road in Europe. Kilometers of endless gravel above 2,000 meters, where your eyes sweep 360 degrees across the Cottian Alps.
- High-Altitude Fortresses: Ghostly passages among the 19th-century forts of Assietta and Jafferau, where history blends into the bare rock.
- The Giants of the Hautes-Alpes: Izoard, Galibier, Granon. The sanctuaries of world cycling that will test your every fiber.
WHY IS THE 20k DIFFERENT?
“It’s not just a GPX track. It’s a journey through time.”
While many events chase the most technical singletrack, the 20k Heritage seeks the soul of the territory. It is a route designed for those who love “pure” bikepacking: tough enough to challenge you, scenic enough to make you forget the fatigue.
What you will find:
- 25,000m of elevation gain: A fearsome number, but one that rewards you with the most beautiful downhills of your life.
- Total self-sufficiency: No course markers, just you and your GPS track. True adventure begins where the signs end.
- Alpine Hospitality: A network of partner mountain huts (rifugi) ready to welcome you like an old friend returning from a long journey.
THE TIME IS NOW
The Alps won’t wait. The 20k Heritage is your chance to write your name into the history of this route. You don’t need a race number on your back to feel part of the Club.
You only need the desire and the courage to start.
