Italian Alps 2017 - exploring Military fort trails

[AndyCook]

had enough of lower level trails in the Auvergne, since we had finished the roadbook the lure of high mountain trails and visiting forts in the alp was too much,
4.5 hours drive East and a long drive up tracks to 2200m and we are camped by an old fort close to mount jafferua and above town of Oulx.

This has to be one of my all time favourite camping spots - 3rd visit.

Shame the 1km scary tunnel is closed now though enjoyed driving through that with spots on is past, but it is well dodgy with rockfall inside it.

 

[AndyCook]

 

[chapel gate]

As ever looks great. Were the huge looking caves accessible?

 

[AndyCook]

The caves are more like massive cliff collapses, over 100m vertical.
I wasn't going to explore them
The tunnel goes into mountain behind them

 

[AndyCook]

Drove the amazing trail to Fort Jafferau yesterday. But snow thwarted us at 2550m and 4 km from fort. So we got bikes out and cycled rest.
I got to summit at 2750m.
In past we drove to summit in July when a digger had removed snow from track

A couple photos until I get better 3G tomorrow

 

[hamba]

Thanks for posting these, I've been using them to show the missus what we can expect when we are around that part of the world in mid August. That trail is one of the once we are planning on doing when we are there.

 

[chapel gate]

i keep showing my missus the pictures too..

 

[froggy Steve]

looks fantastique! I wonder when the snows arrive....we cant do anything until October ....

 

[AndyCook]

Here are more photos from trip up to fort Jafferau and Fort Foens.
Then we spent 2 days in Val de Argenetra near Sestriere, both a bit unwell with a bug, but did some walking and resting up. Wife's birthday too... but we managed a BBQ and drinks. It's a great remote valley to camp in, but avoid at weekends as hordes arrive...
Today tried Strada del Assettia, but main trail closed due to landslide, but drove upto Coll, and down again to Sestriere.
Then heads towards Fenestrelle and drove some new trails for us and end of Assettia which was great to see new stuff.

And had amusing moment of a helicopter pilot guiding us under his rotors as he had parked his chopper on the trail !!!

 

[AndyCook]

 

[AndyCook]

 

[AndyCook]

looks fantastique! I wonder when the snows arrive....we cant do anything until October ....

The snow arrived last night on mountains above us and same height as trails we have driven !!!
I think in October 2200m will be under snow

 

[froggy Steve]

Thats it then, I need to sell my business and retire!

 

[AndyCook]

Headed up the Somellier trail today, but hit last years snow fields blocking trail about 4km at 2500m which was 500m vertical short of the summit of the trail which goes upto 3000m.
Then it rained a bit, so herself got a bit wet cycling down 1300m vertical over 18km.

 

[clivehorridge]

This is all too wonderful, just love altitude! (No hint of envy...)

Sorry to hear about the bug-hit, just what you don't need...

...and a happy belated to herself, BTW.

Thanks for posting Andy

 

[chapel gate]

Great stuff andy, but please get another hope brake lever for that rear caliper..

 

[Garfieldus]

Andy, thanks for this great thread. I did a lot of these trails in 2002 on my BMW F650GSD.

One thing I noticed was a distinct lack of 4x4 vehicles on any of the tracks. I don't remember seeing any restrictions on 4x4 vehicles at the time but have thought of doing them again in the 80.

Are there any restrictions on 4x4s, be that signs or physical barriers? Also can you wild camp just about anywhere?

 

[AndyCook]

Great stuff andy, but please get another hope brake lever for that rear caliper..

It's a v-brake on back

 

[AndyCook]

Andy, thanks for this great thread. I did a lot of these trails in 2002 on my BMW F650GSD.

One thing I noticed was a distinct lack of 4x4 vehicles on any of the tracks. I don't remember seeing any restrictions on 4x4 vehicles at the time but have thought of doing them again in the 80.

Are there any restrictions on 4x4s, be that signs or physical barriers? Also can you wild camp just about anywhere?

We saw a couple 4x4 but mainly motorbikes, a lot of which were going offpiste....
And going through closed tunnel

Didn't see any restriction signs for 4x4

Wild camping seems ok, in Valle Argentera there is a sign asking people to camp and park in designated areas,

 

[AndyCook]

Home safe - covered about 3400 miles
Got back to Aberdeenshire on same tankfull of fuel i loaded about 30 miles from Calais

Another big trip ticked off for the Hilux