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Passing under the imposing covered viaduct that leads to the tunnel marks the beginning of the toughest part of the climb: the gradients become more demanding (though never prohibitive), the fatigue accumulated over the previous 20 km takes its toll, and the winds from Switzerland begin to lash you... you're officially in the high mountains, after all, that's why you came here. If the day is one of the worst, with strong winds from the pass, these last 10 km will be a nightmare, but the beauty and majesty of the landscape will more than make up for even the most intense of efforts.

The highest road pass in the Aosta Valley and a place that has always fascinated the writer for its thousand-year history, the austere Mauritian hospice and the profound beauty of the landscape.

A small village located at the start of the Valgrisenche climb; interesting fact: this is the birthplace of Maurice Garin, winner of the first Tour de France.

View of the Alpine giant

After crossing the bridge over the Dora Baltea, State Road 26 now winds along a straight stretch with almost zero gradients, the perfect place to look up and enjoy the view of the highest mountain in Europe.

A typical Aosta Valley village nestled in the mountains, a crossroads for Colle San Carlo, the Piccolo San Bernardo, and Pré-Saint-Didier. A little trivia: it was here that, at the end of the Second World War, a partisan brigade and a small republican brigade, putting aside all hatred, jointly opposed De Gaulle's attempt to annex the Aosta Valley to France.

Once you drive past Runaz you can have stunning views on the peak and the glaciers, showing 4000 vertical meters of the massif. Impressive how it stands out in the valley!!

Hotel Italia is highly recommended