Strada dell’Assietta — Sestriere to Susa via Colle dell’Assietta and Colle delle Finestre

The Assietta ridge road was built by the Italian army in the late 1800s, and it follows the crest where French and Piedmontese troops fought in 1747. It’s a long, narrow gravel shelf running north from Sestriere along the Cottian Alps skyline. The summit at Colle dell’Assietta sits around 2,472 m (8,110 ft), with the Chisone and Susa valleys falling away on both sides. Past the pass the road carries on along the ridge to Colle delle Finestre, where you can choose to drop on the gravel switchbacks down to Susa. There are old fortifications and stone barracks beside the track, plus wide-open pasture where cows and sheep wander across the road like they own it.

It’s Moderate more for exposure than for rough going. There are no serious obstacles, and a sensible AWD wagon can do it in dry weather. But the drop-offs are steep, the road is narrow, and passing needs patience. Expect rock fall, washouts and loose gravel in spots. The road only opens once the snow clears, usually June to October, and it can be closed or restricted on some days, so check locally before you go. Cell coverage is spotty. Wild camping isn’t generally allowed here, so plan to sleep in a rifugio or in the valley below. Bring layers, because the weather turns fast above 2,000 m. You get alpine views and a feel for old military engineering. Have a dirty day.