アオスタバレーのおすすめライド

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 last village in the valley surrounded by green alpine meadows

The climb winds through a majestic valley (personally my favorite), never reaching excessive gradients; it's long but pedalable, allowing you to fully enjoy the natural surroundings. Apart from the peak season, there's almost no traffic, although you might encounter a few campers, which can be annoying on the way down. If you tackle the climb during periods of the year when there aren't too many tourists, you might, like me, have pleasant encounters with ibex and chamois that have come down to road level.

A challenging and relentless climb, like a good military road, it climbs with very regular gradients that allow, once you find your rhythm, to easily reach the summit. Be careful, in summer, of traffic (use extreme caution on both sides when descending) and the southern exposure, which makes it very hot in the afternoon.

A demanding climb for trained cyclists. 10 km, 1000 m elevation gain. Also known as Col d'Arpy.

You can also stay for just a few hours: the hour costs 50 cents (as of 2025).

Hotel Italia is highly recommended

Hill with gentle slopes and a short climb