Exploring the Torino Valleys by bike offers an exhilarating journey through historic fortresses, rugged ridges, and majestic mountain passes. This route, part of the Intervalliva trail, guides outdoor enthusiasts from the base of Monviso to the serene silence of the Gran Paradiso National Park.
From the Po River Springs to Architectural Marvels
The adventure begins in Saluzzo and Paesana, ascending to the expansive Pian del Re basin. Nestled beneath the imposing Monviso, this area marks the source of the Po River. Heading north, the valleys narrow, leading cyclists through the Val Pellice, the panoramic Colle della Vaccera, and the Val Chisone.
In Val Chisone, the landscape unveils the Forte di Fenestrelle, a masterpiece of military architecture. Recognized as Europe’s largest fortified structure, it stands as the world’s most extensive masonry construction after the Great Wall of China.
Historic Military Routes of the Susa Valley
Ascending above Fenestrelle, cyclists encounter the Strada dell’Assietta, one of Europe’s highest and most renowned mountain routes. This engineering marvel stretches nearly 60 kilometers, predominantly above 2,000 meters, offering 360-degree views of the Western Alps. Nearby, the Colle delle Finestre challenges riders with its famous dirt switchbacks before descending into the historic town of Susa.
The Susa Valley opens a realm of high-altitude trails rich in technical challenges. Beyond the imposing Forte di Fenestrelle, the Fenil-Pramand-Jafferau route stands out, notable for the dark Galleria dei Saraceni carved into the rock, leading to the 2,805-meter-high Forte dello Jafferau—the highest fortification still present on Italian soil.
For those seeking the pinnacle of elevation, the Colle del Sommeiller road represents the highest dirt road in Europe. Completing this historical circuit are the paths of the Valle Argentera, the roads of the Monti della Luna in Claviere with views of the Batteria dello Chaberton (the “Fortress among the clouds” at 3,131 meters), and the gravel routes around Lake Colle del Moncenisio, surrounded by the remains of the Varisello, Roncia, and Malamot forts.
Towards the Silence of Gran Paradiso
The final stretch of the Torino itinerary delves into the most wild and unspoiled environments between the Susa Valley and the Valli di Lanzo. After crossing the Collombardo pass along a rocky dirt road, cyclists reach the Santuario della Madonna degli Angeli before descending into the Valle di Viù and the Val d’Ala.
The journey concludes with the ascent of the Colle del Nivolet: a spectacular sequence of hairpin bends alongside the alpine lakes Serrù and Agnel, leading to the vast summit plateau in the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park. Here, where the asphalt road ends, leaving space only for protected nature, the grand regional crossing concludes.
For more information on the Intervalliva Cuneo-Torino, visit the official website.
Content created in collaboration with Visit Piemonte.