Via del Sale Loop

The Via del Sale Loop is one of the most beautiful tours I have ever done on a gravel bike. It is highly recommended for anyone who likes to pedal up many meters in altitude, loves magnificent landscapes and has a penchant for coarse gravel ridge roads. In short: The Via del Sale is incredibly beautiful, extremely strenuous and definitely belongs on the to-do list of passionate gravel bikers.

You start this unique gravel experience in La Brigue. You can warm up in the first few kilometers to Tende. When you see the bends, you will immediately know what awaits you. That's right, you pedal the 46 bends up to the Col de Tende and climb around 1,100 meters in altitude, initially on asphalt and further up on gravel. At the top of the pass you can admire the old military fortress and - with a look back - the hairpin spectacle.

The highlight of this tour, the Via del Sale, starts at the Col de Tende. This unpaved, former military road winds beautifully along the border ridge between France and Italy. The surrounding landscape is phenomenal and the views will stay with you long after the tour.

The Via del Sale is spectacular, but definitely not a walk in the park. In many places the path is peppered with very coarse gravel, which costs a few grains. Luckily, there is a great place to stop for refreshments halfway along the route, the Refugio Don Barbara. Don't just leave the hut behind, because the food is damn tasty and you'll still need the energy later. At this point you are already two thirds of the way up, but it will be really tiring again. And not just uphill, but also downhill.

Well fortified, we continue afterwards. The first descent of the tour begins after the Tanarel Pass. But unfortunately you can't let it run properly. It will be very bumpy. Hold on to the handlebars tightly, because you're going to get a lot of shaking here. This is followed by a relaxed section on the border ridge and finally a long, fast descent back to La Brigue.