サンダミアーノマクラの絶景の山頂・トップ20

A very challenging climb with asphalt in very poor condition.

Steep, narrow, lonely, magnificent mountain scenery and plenty of altitude! Do you need more?

It is one of the most spectacular passes in Piedmont. Without a doubt it is in my Top 5 of Piedmont (Fauniera, Agnello, Nivolet, Colle delle Finestre and Colle di Sampeyre). For many it is a great unknown since Fauniera and Agnello are around it, two passes with a lot of name. It has the characteristics of a colossus: it is long, hard, high (over 2,000m) and has privileged views. Colle Sampeyre connects the Maira valley with the Varaita valley, where the town of Sampeyre is located. It has 3 slopes: two through the Maira valley and one through the Varaita valley. Of the 3, the most special for me is the one through the Elba valley, which starts at Ponte Marmora. The road on the 2 sides of the Maira valley is not in good condition so I suggest going up one of these and going down the side of the Varaita valley, which is in good condition as it was resurfaced in 2023. Obviously, we are talking about narrow roads, with no road signs and no hard shoulder. There is very little traffic, so you only have to worry about the ramps, the views and enjoying nature. Regarding the ban on going up the Elba valley... no problem. You can go up by bike perfectly. At the start of the climb the locals put up a barrier to discourage tourists and prevent them from disturbing their peace and the mountains. Cyclists are very welcome. It has been part of the Giro d'Italia on 2 occasions. On the second occasion, in 2003, it will go down in history as the snowy stage, where Gilberto Simoni crowned and Pantani fell on the descent trying to catch him. As well as being a Top 5 in Piedmont, it is also a Top 15 in Italy. It is a mountain pass that I am very fond of. I always recommend it to cyclists who go through that area.

A destination mainly for cyclists and motorcyclists, but also for walkers. You can go up from the municipality of Sampeyre (Val Varaita) or from the municipality of Elva (Val Maira). It crosses the Strada dei Cannoni, a long dirt road of 42 km between the 2 valleys, which touches many municipalities, and starts from Colletta di Rossana and ends at Colle della Bicocca

https://youtu.be/JgCHce59j6E all on tarmac, from the Sampeyre the ridge path starts as a gravel path. Incredible sea of flowers in July.

Very difficult slopes, you have to manage yourself well because it is also very long.

One of the hardest climbs ever in Piedmont, and above all we must not underestimate the descent which is very technical.

Reachable from Val Varaita and Val Maira, it is possible to continue on the road of the cannons with various possibilities especially for mountain biking. Very scenic, breathtaking views of both valleys.