Assietta Road: Driving the legendary military ridge track of the Western Alps

# Strada dell'Assietta (SP173)

Want to experience one of the Alps' most thrilling high-altitude drives? The Strada dell'Assietta is a jaw-dropping 39.3 km military ridge road that'll have you perched above 2,000 meters for nearly the entire journey. Connecting Pian dell'Alpe to Sestriere in the Turin area of Piedmont, this mostly unpaved route is absolutely legendary among adventure drivers.

Built way back in 1890 by Italian military engineers, this road was originally designed to move troops and artillery between valleys—and you can still see the fort ruins and old defensive walls scattered across the ridge today. It's a fascinating blend of history and raw mountain wilderness, threading along the spine between Val Chisone and Val Susa while cutting through the stunning Gran Bosco di Salbertrand Park.

Fair warning: this isn't a casual Sunday cruise. The unpaved surface can be rough and rutted, especially through the tight switchbacks. Steep cliff drops lie just beyond low stone walls in places, and you'll need a vehicle with solid ground clearance to handle the rocky terrain. Keep it to 30 km/h, and forget about passing or stopping anywhere except designated spots.

Here's the catch—you can only drive it from roughly June through October, depending on conditions. And if you're thinking bigger vehicles? Anything over 3.5 tons or wider than 2 meters isn't allowed. Want quieter roads? The route closes to motor traffic on Wednesdays and Saturdays during summer, so hikers and bikers get their turn.

The payoff? Incredible panoramic views and the chance to summit six major alpine passes, with Monte Gran Costa's 2,615-meter peak offering a truly unrivaled vantage point over the Western Alps. This is the kind of road that'll stay with you long after you've descended.