Maritime Alps

Today is "easy going" without luggage and the first off-road "warm-up" for the tour. Directly from the hotel - without detours - we ride to the first part of the Assietta, with the first gigantically impressive views and impressions that will accompany us for the next few days. From Sestriere we meander on to the lunch stop at Lago Nero. After lunch, we take a brisk ride through the valley, winding our way back up over the Col de Finestre to the eastern section of the Assietta ridge road, which we follow to the summit this morning.

After a short ride through the valley, we immediately start the ascent to Fort Jafferau on the opposite side. Initially along forest-lined paths, the view of yesterday's stage - the Assietta - soon becomes clear. We reach the fort on the rocky plateau (at approx. 2800 meters) via gravel sepertines, with a clear view of today's starting point in the valley. An impressive site and a must for every off-road driver. A short way down, we head straight for the next off-road highlight - the Sommeiler (2996 meters) - which is one of the highest legally accessible points in the Alps. We freshen up at Bardonecchia and set off towards Briancon - the border town between Italy and France, which is characterized by its old over-dimensional fortifications - passing the Font Christiane to reach Arvieux via the Col de Izoard. The end point of today's stage. We spend the night in the middle of the mountains.

The journey is the reward... Off to the south! We swing over the Alpine passes, such as the Col de la Bonette - one of the four highest passes in the Alps. However, the route towards the Alps will also be interspersed with gravel passages wherever possible. On the Col de Turini we turn off to the Authion Loop - which we will then leave off-road and leave unpaved into the valley. Following the valley, we will enjoy the view of the sea in the evening. Mountains - sea - good food! What more could we want...

Following a beautiful valley towards Pigna, we enter the ridge of the Maritime Alps today and initially only follow it for a short distance before joining the Ligurian border ridge road at Col di Tende. The LKG, an impressive high-altitude gravel road that takes us past numerous views and vistas. Descending to Col de Nava, we reach today's overnight stop.

The first bends are still paved, but soon have gravel underneath them again, towards Monte Sacarello. From the border ridge over gravel, we follow the path down into the valley to Brigue. Over the Colle de Tende - once again crossing the border - we follow the valley a little way to the small village of Valderie. We enjoy lunch in the village square. In the afternoon we ride to the Maira Stura - a gravel mountain road with a breathtaking panorama - between the Colle Valcavera and the Colle del Preit. Via small, typical stone villages and a short drive, we spend the night again in the middle of the mountains in an agriturismo with a gigantic view.

Continuing north via the Colle de Sampeyre and Colle de Agnel (also one of the four highest mountain passes in the Alps), we come across our "old acquaintance", the Col d'Izoard. Before we enjoy the bends to Briancon, we stop off at the Refuge Napoleon. Curve after curve down into the valley - with a broad grin - we approach today's end point and the end of the tour - Sauze d'Oulx.