The itinerary of about 56 km with a significant elevation gain of about 1,750 meters is suitable for competent, trained cyclists and does not present any particular technical difficulties. 

From the central square of San Damiano Macra, at the gates of the Maira Valley, you will begin climbing in the secluded valley of Pagliero (4 km) with its 15 hamlets, characterized by an alpine architecture typical of the area, stone houses and small frescoed churches. At the Chesta hamlet, after about 8 km, the highest in the valley, the asphalt ends and you will continue on a dirt road that climbs uphill in long hairpin bends to the Birrone hill at an altitude of 1,712 meters, where you will come across the Strada dei Cannoni.

Take a sharp left turn and, after a short winding uphill stretch on the side of the Varaita Valley, with Monviso in the background, you will return to the sunny slopes of the Valle Maira side for the last final stretch of climb. This takes you to the Sampeyre hill, at an altitude of 2,324 meters. Enjoy the exceptional 360° panorama, from Monviso to the Alpi del Mare, with the villages of Elva and Mount Chersognoin the foreground.

Back on the paved road,you will start your descent to the San Giovanni hill. Just below it, there is a characteristic circular church and the Fremo Cuncunà, a characteristic strip of stone  that protrudes over a steep drop. The descent on asphalt does not present particular difficulties and passes through all the villages beneath Elva, including the beautiful village of San Martino, recently enhanced, until you reach the road on the bottom of the valley, at Bassura. You will travel the last few km of the route going downhill on the main road of the valley, returning to San Damiano Macra.

Variant of descent: from Colle San Giovanni you can descend along trails to the bottom of the valley. These bear a technical difficulty rating of S2 and are recommended for competent, well-trained cyclists.

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