The best cycling routes in Boscaglie Di Tasso Di Giaglione

In the diary of his pilgrimage on the Way of St. James, which was published later, the German entertainer Hape (Hans-Peter) Kerkeling also writes about the meditative experience of praying the Rosary together, which he experienced himself in the “grandiose village church, which has the makings of a cathedral” of Castildelgado (Castile). Under the date June 21, 2001, he notes: “I simply must see the only tourist attraction in town! (…) She is all the more pleased that I want to see the jewel of Castildelgado and accompanies me inside. Our tour quickly ends in front of the altar, and so the woman asks me to take a seat in one of the wonderfully cool pews. Gradually, other people enter the church. The older lady begins to pray the rosary. The monotonous chanting has a calming effect, and the constantly repeating lament gives strength, security, and peace! So, after I can recite the words along with her, I join in the mantra…” (Hape Kerkeling in “I’m Off Then: My Journey on the Camino de Santiago”)

A fortress worth seeing, unfortunately very busy.

Clearly visible remains of a very important but under-appreciated historical work. The galleries are NOT open to visitors.

As an commemorative plaque on the chapel wall explains, the village of Grand Croix is the only "original" village not to have been submerged by the lake. Unfortunately, of the historic village, once a stop for the Ferrera carriers and a station on the Fell railway, only ruins remain: the place is abandoned, with the only human activity being the nearby hotel-restaurant. The chapel, however, is kept in good condition. It is in fact a ghost village, with that grim and slightly unsettling atmosphere of these abandoned places. Not far from the National road, it is worth a detour. You can also get there by descending from the dirt road that starts from the West end of the dam.

A virtually flat straight stretch between the border and the first ramps below the Moncenisio Dam. It runs alongside the stream and offers a beautiful view of the road ramps ahead. Especially on the climbs, it's a nice respite after kilometers of steep gradients.

The Fell Railway was a railroad that connected Italy and France from 1868 to 1871, passing through Mont Cenis. At the time, the Frejus railway tunnel was being built, but many believed it would never be completed (in fact, it took two major inventions, the automatic pneumatic drill and dynamite, to allow its completion, but I digress). Mr. Fell proposed a railway line that ran on the Napoleonic roadbed, with a system of horizontal drive wheels on a third rail to overcome the steepest sections. Born poorly and growing worse, the railway operated for four years, then was closed with the opening of the Frejus tunnel. A few avalanche tunnels remain along the SP25, which allowed the railway to operate even in winter: one can be seen near the border, another a little further downstream, and a shorter one just below Grand Croix, to name just a few. It's worth noticing when passing by.

A distinctive pyramid-shaped chapel with the lake in the background. Worth a stop.

Accessible road that runs along the Mont Cenis earth dam. The surface is a bit rocky; use caution with medium-small tires. Beautiful views of the lake.