モイオーラの峠・トップ16

great view

The hardest climb I've ever done.

Convenient area to park and set off on various trails

Colle Fauniera, located at 2481 m, is also known as Colle dei Morti. The climb from the Demonte side (Valle Stura) is one of the most challenging in the Maritime Alps. It is about 24 km long with a 1700 m difference in altitude. The average gradient of 7% is made tough by the consistency of the effort, with long stretches often between 8% and 10%. The effort is rewarded by the spectacular view, and at the top is the monument to Marco Pantani.

Hill at the confluence between the path that comes from Bernezzo and the dirt road that comes from Chiot Rosa. From here you can easily reach Mount Tamone

From the Santuario della Madonna del Colletto there are good views of Monte Gelas, a solitary peak of over 3,000 metres and reminiscent of the highest peaks of the Alps.

I was really looking forward to going up to the Santuario della Madonna del Colletto. I had been to this area several times and had not had the opportunity to go up here. So on the trip through Piedmont in July 2022 I made sure that the planned route passed through here. We went up the western slope, the one used by the Giro d'Italia when it first went up here in 1999, on the famous stage where the Fauniera was climbed, with the spectacle of Pantani climbing and the stratospheric descent of Paolo Savoldelli. I have to admit that the climb itself is not very attractive. Once you leave the village of Festiona behind, you enter a forest and there are hardly any views over the valley. You can only focus on the road, its curves, straights (which there are) and difficult slopes. The asphalt is old, with a lot of gravel and very uneven, which obviously adds difficulty to the climb. The climb up the western side is 7.1 km, 576 metres of elevation and an average gradient of 8.1%. Therefore, it is very hard!! And there are several sections above 12%, especially in the first kilometres, where the gradient is irregular, with very hard sections and small rest areas. The views of the Valdieri valley from the Sanctuary are very beautiful, and also of all the mountains covered with forests and vegetation in the surroundings. We took advantage of the porch at the entrance to the Sanctuary to take shelter from the sun and the heat, and to stock up on food and eat some spectacular sandwiches. I remember it fondly. Below is the altimetry of the climb published by @cyclingcols, the best in these matters --> http://www.cyclingcols.com/col/Colletto

Mount Gelas is clearly visible from Entracque. I recommend the climbs towards the lake of the Ruins and towards San Giacomo, where the road ends and the trekking towards refuges and beautiful valleys begins. Excellent starting point for MTB tours but you have to take Portage into account.