Italy's Hidden Gem - The Sauze d'Oulx Bike Park

With so many epic mountains and endless potential adventures surrounding it, the Sauze d'Olux bike park slips somewhat under the radar of most bikers. For those lucky people who've checked out the bike park, or are currently reading this and planning a trip, it's an absolute hidden gem.

Sauze d'Oulx village itself is utterly charming, with a buzzy little central square surrounded by sleepy, alpine streets. As with virtually every Italian village there are abundant restaurants and bars, so pizza, pasta and good wine can be found around every corner. As such, a trip to Sauze d'Oulx isn't just about the biking - take the time to enjoy the local food and culture on your visit.

The biking itself is wonderful, and the trails remarkably quiet. There are no super easy trails here, but conversely there are few truly difficult lines either, so it's a great spot for intermediate riders to work on their skills, and for advanced bikers to get some mileage. The trails are well maintained but feel nicely natural too, so the riding never feels manufactured or artificial. When we rode here our favourite trail was Tippy's Witch, but most good riders will be able to do all 6 lines in a single day, so you'll be able to select your own highlight over an evening glass of wine in the village!

Combining a day at Sauze d'Oulx with nearby Serre Chevalier - https://fatmap.com/discover/guidebook/france/hautes-alpes/mountain-biking/sick-lines-and-sunshine-ride-bikepark-serre-chevalier/19768 - is an exceptional use of a weekend in one of the finest parts of the Alps!