MTB Tour P-RAS: Rastello (Roccaforte Mondovì) to Piaggia – High Salt Route

Mountain biking trails

MTB Tour P-RAS: Rastello (Roccaforte Mondovì) to Piaggia – High Salt Route

Hard

riders

MTB Tour P-RAS: Rastello (Roccaforte Mondovì) to Piaggia – High Salt Route

06:04

42.1km

2,400m

Mountain biking

This route from Rastello leaves no room for improvisation: it is the most committed connection in the RivierALP network. You will be riding in the Ligurian mountains, on little-used trails, far from the tourist circuits.

The first section crosses Pian Marchisio, a high-altitude plateau with open pastures and wide views of the Franco-Italian ridges. The atmosphere changes radically as you approach the Passo delle Saline (S2/S3). This pass, once used by Piedmontese muleteers to transport salt, requires confirmed technique and good terrain reading.

The descent leads to Carnino, a hamlet isolated in a forest basin, accessible only on foot or by mountain bike for most of the year. Dry stone buildings, pastures, the silence of the surrounding forests, the place has retained all its authenticity. The route continues towards Upega and then Piaggia, the central hub of the network.

This course is aimed at experienced and autonomous mountain bikers, capable of anticipating the constraints of technical high mountain routes. Several options to continue your journey: pedal west to the Tanarello pass, or east-southeast towards the CAI Sanremo refuge and the La Terza refuge, suitable for a stop before descending to the sea towards Sanremo or Imperia.

by RivierALP

Last updated: August 19, 2026

Tips

Includes very steep uphill segments

You may need to push your bike.

After 10.9 km for 217 m

After 14.5 km for 1.70 km

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

9.67 km

Pian Marchisio

Highlight • Trail

Pian Marchisio, 1634 meters above sea level. Superb valley with the Ellero river that flows slowly and the distant silhouette of the Mondovì refuge, dominated by the Cima delle Saline.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

12.0 km

Mondovì Mountain Hut

Highlight • Mountain Hut

The Mondovì refuge is located at the foot of Mount Cars. It can be reached with an easy walk from Pian Marchisio, where you can leave your car. Excellent welcome and cuisine.

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16.1 km

Saline Pass

Highlight • Mountain Pass

The Passo delle Saline is an Alpine pass located at over 2,100 meters of altitude, offering magnificent panoramic views. During the ascent to the Saline summit, on the border between the Ellero valley and the Tanaro valley, the trail follows a striking ridge walk.

As its name suggests, in the past the Passo delle Saline played a significant role as part of the "Via del Sale" (Salt Road), a route used to transport precious salt from Liguria to the lower Piedmont. This ancient trade route follows a Roman road built in the 1st century BC, which connected Alba to Albenga.

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22.6 km

Gola delle Fascette

Highlight • Gorge

This stretch is of a breathtaking beauty: the road that clings to the vertical rock walls, overlooking the Tanaro River which appears distant and blue, in a gorge that seems infinite to see.

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24.5 km

Upega

Highlight • Settlement

Upega is a small mountain village nestled in the heart of the Ligurian Alps, between forests, pastures, and old military roads. Long isolated during winter, the hamlet has retained an authentic atmosphere, with its stone houses and peaceful rhythm. Upega is an ideal gateway to the wild landscapes of Marguareis.

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28.2 km

Colletta delle Salse Pass

Highlight • Mountain Pass

The Colletta delle Salse is an alpine pass located at an altitude of 1,626 meters above sea level, near the border between the provinces of Imperia and Cuneo. The climb to Colletta delle Salse has an average gradient of 4.2% and is approximately 20.9 km long. It is a popular destination for cycling enthusiasts who wish to challenge themselves to a challenging climb and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

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36.2 km

Monesi di Triora

Highlight • Settlement

Monesi is a hamlet of the municipality of Triora located in Val Tanaro.
This village was born as a ski resort and had its peak activity around the 1950s, when it was the winter holiday destination for numerous families from western Liguria and the province of Cuneo. Over time, all the ski lifts and almost all the accommodation facilities closed. After the 2016 flood, only a hotel-refuge and, in summer, a bar-restaurant remained open.

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42.1 km

Via del Sale – Monesi Trailhead

Highlight • Trail

From Monesi to Col di Tenda the road is very long. The name of this place is not correct. This is simply the start of the Via del Sale with the ascent from Monesi.

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Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

20.4 km

12.2 km

9.08 km

365 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

19.7 km

8.78 km

5.22 km

3.89 km

3.75 km

768 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Friday 9 October

16°C

9°C

11 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 25, 2026

This route from Rastello leaves no room for improvisation: it is the most committed connection in the RivierALP network. You will be riding in the Ligurian mountains, on little-used trails, far from the tourist circuits.
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The first section crosses Pian Marchisio, a high-altitude plateau with open pastures

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