The best gravel rides around Bardonecchia

The fortification was erected between 1885 and 1894, with the aim of monitoring the outlet of the Frejus railway tunnel in anticipation of a possible French attack. During the First World War, its artillery was requisitioned and moved to the Austro-Hungarian front, while on the eve of the Second World War, it was incorporated into the fortified system of the Alpine Wall. It was then requisitioned by the Germans and completely dismantled after the end of hostilities. It remained abandoned for a long time, until, starting in 1995, a recovery project was initiated, still partly ongoing, equipping the structure with a museum and a guided tour. The road that reaches it from the valley floor is yet another demonstration of the construction skills of military engineering: the dirt road gains altitude with gentle hairpin bends, bordered by dry stone walls that are still perfectly in place. Near Grange Bersac, it passes a charming little church, shortly after the route leaves the woods and ends in wide meadows near another beautiful little church, dedicated to St. Anne. From here, the dirt road splits: straight ahead leads to Pian del Sole and the Bardonecchia MTB circuit, while climbing towards Colomion, turning right, a final short climb reaches the fort. The view of Guglia Rossa and the Re Magi (Three Wise Men) group, which dominate the Bardonecchia basin, is magnificent.

A very beautiful stretch to cycle which leads from the basins to the road to the Scarfiotti refuge and then to the Sommeiller pass.

Scenic view of the entire Scarfiotti Refuge plateau

The view at the top is truly stunning; I recommend taking a walk and enjoying the scenery. I recommend going when the road is closed to cars and motorcycles, which raise a lot of dust.

Rochemolles is definitely worth a visit, as it's an excellent example of renovating old mountain huts while maintaining as much of their original features as possible. Throughout the village, there are wooden sculptures and panels that narrate the life of the village (formerly one of the most impoverished areas of the municipality of Bardonecchia!). The small village's location can seem precarious, dominated by steep grassy slopes and peaks that are anything but inviting when seen from below. On the other hand, the only trail up the southern slope is quite exposed and not recommended for those with a fear of heights! It's a good starting point for hikes or mountain bike rides (on the north-facing slope), and it's also located on the "road of the three thousand" that reaches the former Sommellier glacier (now a sad scree...) at over three thousand meters above sea level (accessible by off-road vehicles, motorcycles, and mountain bikes). Other beautiful hikes wind through Valfredda (a beautiful valley that lies at the foot of Punta Melmise and the Jafferau peak), and the nearby Scarfiotti refuge (reachable by car) is a good place to spend a day at the foot of the mountains.

Beautiful village in the Clarée valley.

An excellent road with perfect asphalt and rideable slopes.

Few remains of this historic fort on the Bardonecchia defensive line, at over 2,700 meters above sea level. It is served by dirt roads, so you're likely to encounter motorized vehicles such as motorcycles or off-road vehicles ascending or descending.