Travel guide to the top of Colle Blegier

Travel guide to the top of Colle Blegier

Italy, europe

Length

39.3 km

Elevation

2,000 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

# Colle Blegier: Alpine Adventure Awaits

Nestled in the heart of Italy's Piemonte region, Colle Blegier sits pretty at 2,381m (7,811ft) and marks the fourth checkpoint on the legendary Assietta Road. This mountain pass is tucked away in the northern part of the country within the stunning Parco Naturale del Gran Bosco di Salbertrand, squeezed between Mount Genevris and Colle Lauson.

Fair warning: this isn't your typical paved highway. The Strada Provinciale 173 (aka the Assietta Road) is mostly unpaved, stretching a solid 39.3 km (24.23 miles) and keeping you above 2,000 meters for almost the entire ride. Talk about staying high!

Access is seasonal—the road opens June 1st and closes October 31st, so plan accordingly. There are also some weight restrictions in place: no vehicles over 3.5 tons and nothing wider than 2 meters. And heads up: during peak summer months (July and August), certain driving hours are restricted on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The road's got real history too. Built back in 1890 by the 3rd Reggimento Alpini to access the Genevris observatory and barracks, this route is a testament to alpine engineering. If you're chasing mountain views, seasonal access, and a taste of Italy's rugged terrain, Colle Blegier deserves a spot on your bucket list.

Where is it?

Travel guide to the top of Colle Blegier is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.7831, 11.2277

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Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
39.3 km
Max Elevation
2,000 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
42.7831, 11.2277

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