MILITARY ROADS AT HIGH ALTITUDE
The Susa Valley is a paradise for motorbike and MTB enthusiasts, because here alone you can find almost 800 kilometers of military roads, with hairpin bends to admire breathtaking views that reach up to 3,000 metres. The three main itineraries are:
Colle delle Finestre - Strada dell'Assietta
The climb from Susa to Colle delle Finestre is considered extremely challenging, especially by bike and has one of the highest difficulty coefficients in the ranking of European climbs. It is 19 km long, with a difference in altitude of 1692 m, an average gradient of 9% and 33 hairpin bends!!
The Assietta road runs along a ridge at high altitude and is the longest in the Alps. It is subject to seasonal opening in the period May-November, so it is necessary to check its opening if you travel along it by motorbike. It features numerous fortresses along its route that date back to different historical eras. The dirt surface can be traveled by motorbike, car, mountain bike and on foot. The route starts from Pian dell'Alpe (Usseaux) just below Colle delle Finestre and arrives in Sestriere after about 30 kilometres. It runs almost entirely above 2,000 m.
From Loft 29 to Sestriere (Colle Finestre and Strada dell'Assietta) 63 km.
The route time is calculated by bike
Colle del Sommeiller - Bardonecchia
The Colle del Sommeiller (2993 m) is one of the highest mountain passes in Europe and is considered by motorcyclists to be "The Roof of Europe". It is a wonderful carriage road, open to traffic for a limited period which changes every year depending on the weather conditions, normally from the end of July until the first autumn snows. Starting from Bardonecchia the difference in altitude is 1711 m. in 26.3 km. The average percentage of the climb is 6.5% with a maximum gradient of 19%. The asphalted part only covers 20% of the entire route, up to the village of Rochemolles. The last kilometers of climb to reach the Sommelier are the most difficult but also the most surprising thanks to the wonderful view of the surrounding Alps. Immediately after the pass is the French border; the dirt road continues after the car park along a lake which in a few minutes takes you to the top at an altitude of 3009 metres, but it is only permitted to travel along it on foot or by bike.
From Loft 29 to Colle del Sommelier - 69 km
Galleria dei Saraceni - Exilles - Fort Jafferau
The “Military Road 79”, as classified by the Italian Army, is a magnificent dirt road on which there are numerous fortifications and military works. The road, 20 km long, culminates at FORT JAFFERAU at 2,805 m. The real jewel and main feature of this road is the spectacular Pramand Tunnel, also known as the Saracen Tunnel, 876 meters long and dug in a curve under the spiers of Mount Seguret in the 1920s. The tunnel can be visited from 1 June to 30 September.
From Loft 29 to Fort Jaffreau - 43 km.
