Via del sale da Limone Piemonte al rifugio Don Barbera

Departure by train from Turin PN, change in Fossano and arrive in Limone Piemonte (1,004 meters) with a regenerating, crisp temperature. At the sandwich bar Genny & c. in Via Roma 8, in addition to preparing us delicious sandwiches, they suggest we take the small pedestrian road that runs alongside the Vermenagna stream and via the Roman road to avoid some asphalt hairpin bends.

At the fork for Limonetto we turn right and then left for the Limone 1,400 facilities. At the hamlet of Panice soprana we refuel with water at the fountain and continue for 6 km to Le Marmotte chalet (1,780 meters) with hot drinks, running water and souvenir T-shirts. Altogether we did about 14 km of asphalt in a good 2 hours.

We start the real dirt road on the left, miss the digression to Colle di Tenda and Forte Centrale on the right, with a few steep ramps we reach the access toll booth near Baita 2000 (1,960 meters) arrival point of the Cabanaira chairlift.

The toll for bikes amounts to 1 Euro, curiously enough from the Ligurian entrance it is zero. With hairpin bends we arrive at the Campanin Pass (2,140 meters) with views of the Central Fort and Rocca dell'Abisso, a coveted ski mountaineering destination. Followed by a descent and then ascent in a section carved into the rock and on a loose bottom descent and photos at the Boaria hairpin bend. Next Boaria pass (2,100 meters) and we continue into a spectacular karst area.

Finally colle dei Signori (2,100 meters) and descent to the Don Barbera refuge (2,079 meters). Two mentions, one at the refuge with very kind managers, appetizer with slice of polenta and herb flavored cheese, risotto with zucchini and mint, tray with baked potatoes, lentils and sausage, bunet. All with the possibility of encores and tris. Good mugo liqueur, excellent honey and raspberry liqueur. Second mention for fellow travelers found en route, Letizia and Simone, they retraced the ancient route with bikes loaded with tent, sleeping bags and sleeping mats.

Departure in Limone Piemonte, Sept. 13, 9 a.m., brisk temperature

Section of the Roman road

Letizia in the direction of Limone lifts 1,400

Chalet le Marmotte (1,780 m), 14 km and 800 d+ from start

Tollbooth access to Alta via del sale (1,960 m).

Major ramps, gray skies, glimpse of the Central Fort and Rocca dell' Abisso

Artistic passage before the Colle della Boaria

Refuge Don Barbera from the Colle dei Signori

Bike parking