|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
| |
La Via del Sale s(u)
There are many spectacular mountain biking oportunities on
top of the Col de Tende. One
route that the "Carte de Itineraires VTT" from the
town Tende shows, is the Route du Sel. This is a loop that
ascends Col de Tende and then descends to the town Tende on
a long loop. But when you start riding it, it becomes
apparent that the Italians were first to put up signs to
their similarly sounding "La Via del Sale". The
Via del Sale is a different route. It is a much shorter loop
that starts and ends on the top of Col
de Tende. What I had planned was the Route du Sel, but
what I ended up doing was La Via del Sale. - Doesn't matter
- any excuse to include some pictures from this scenically
magnificent area. The profile includes the ascent to the Col
de Tende from one side, followed by the loop of the Via del
Sale.
From East 1. Yes - there is a lot of spectacular
scenery here. But the most historically interesting spot is
still the old fort, just to the east of the pass. I followed
this path past the fort along the ridge. Some distance after
that, still on the ridge line you arrive at a prominent signed
first junction. From here two roads lead to two higher visible
summits. Following the Italian "La Via del Sale" sign,
the route points towards the right onto French territory. The
French Route "Route du Sel" also goes right here, even
though tere is no sign. The first switchback happens at Fort
Pepin. Here the routes diverge. The Italian La Via del
Sale" makes a steep switchback, then become a magnificent
climbing single track and crests. Apparently the "Route du
Sel" descends from the Fort directly into Tende, bypassing
the single track and the highest portion of the "La Via del
Sale". From East 2. (described downwards) From the summit it
is now visible that across towards the west, a dirt road (really
a rock road) climbs towards Col de la Baovia. The single track
track from the summit we are on, descends to a junction with
this road. Maps label this point Col de Perle. There is a strong
temptation to go right here, in the belief that this must lead
back to Tende. According to maps this is not the case. More
importantly a "prive" sign forbids entry to this
option.
Dayride with this point as highest summit:
Via de Sale s(u): Tende > Col de Tende > Fort Pepin > Route du Sel s(u) > col de la Perle(shp) <> out and back with turnaround point at col de la Bouria >> Route du Sel > Col de Tende > sp: 37.4 miles with 5690 ft of climbing in 5:34hrs (m4:12.5.30) Notes: the out and back contains a short section of the Ligurische Grenzkammstrasse (=Ligurian border range road). The next pass ride with different start and end points on
this Extended Tour is:
Col de Tende
back to Cycling
Passes in Europe 
|
Approaches
