LIMONE PIEMONTE, VALLE VERMENAGNA
TOUR OF THE SAVOY FORTS
23 km
The Tour of the Forts is a spectacular and panoramic ring to be covered on a MTB near the Tenda Pass, on the border between Italy and France. We will get a close look at the six Savoy fortifications built at the end of the nineteenth century to defend the Cuneo territory from a possible attack by the French. At the beginning of summer, the Ligurian Alps reach their maximum splendour, enhanced by the colours and scents of the local flora; we will ride on spectacular ridge paths and on the Via del Sale, in a setting that is one of a kind in all of Europe.
Please note that itineraries may include roads where motor vehicles are allowed. Authors and trail testers are not responsible for the information contained.
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The itinerary of about 23 km with an elevation gain of about 830 metres, does not present any particular technical difficulties and requires an average level of training.
You will start cycling from the old Colle di Tenda, where the ski lifts of the Riserva Bianca in Limone Piemonte stop and in just a few minutes we reach the border with France. Here, the first climb awaits us: its rapid hairpin bends will lead us to the Forte Pernante, which affords a splendid view of the Valle delle Meraviglie and the Parco Mercantour. From Forte Pernante you can see Forte Marghera at the bottom of the valley and you can also continue uphill and lengthen the itinerary by a couple of kilometres on a slightly bumpy surface to reach Forte Giaura.
Return downhill again to the Colle di Tenda to take the road that leads to the Forte Centrale, dominating the Roja Valley with its imposing quadrilateral volume. A short stretch of the Via del Sale will lead you to a fantastic stretch on French soil up to Fort Tabourda, with a breathtaking view of the Alps.
The road becomes a little narrower and with a few uphill ramps, it will take you back to the border line on the ridge, as you pedal through an infinity of colourful flowers, in real mountain scenery, over 2,000 metres above sea level. You will arrive just below the summit of the Becco Rosso and pedal through the last hairpin bends and the panoramic traverse leading to Forte Pepino, the last of the day, and the highest point of our tour at an altitude of 2,281 metres.
Retrace your steps back to the summit of the Becco Rosso and you’ll face a very short stretch of rather challenging terrain that will take you back to the Via del Sale at the Colle Campanino. Continuing downhill, with some very short uphill stretches, you will return to the starting point of the MTB tour, with an amazing view of the Cuneo plain and Monviso.
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