Fremo Cuncunà

The route starts at the bottom of the Val Maira, at the junction for Stroppo (in the village of Bassura, about 940 m above sea level), where you can park your car in one of the parking lots along the provincial road. Take the SP113 immediately, beginning the climb with steady but never steep gradients that lead to Stroppo. Once past the village, continue cycling on paved road up the scenic valley toward Colle Sampeyre. The road winds through the woods, offering excellent shade on hot days, and continues to climb steadily until it reaches the watershed at Colle San Giovanni (1,872 meters). Here, near the hiking shelter located along the route (currently closed for renovation), the ascent ends, and you prepare for the descent.

At the shelter, you leave the paved road behind and take the trail that descends the southern slope of the mountain. A fast, controlled initial descent quickly leads to the spectacular rock formation of Fremo Cuncunà, an extraordinary panoramic balcony suspended over the void that’s well worth a photo stop. From this point, the trail continues, alternating between flowing, smooth sections and more technical passages on natural terrain, characterized by loose rocks and roots that require active bike handling. The descent remains extremely fun and dynamic, quickly bringing riders back to the village of Stroppo. After passing through the village, you’ll tackle the final section of technical trail, which cuts across the hairpin turns of the paved road and leads precisely back to the starting point at the valley floor.

Note: A classic and extremely rewarding loop in Val Maira, combining a comfortable, steady climb on paved road with a varied, fun descent that’s never excessively extreme. Recommended for anyone with decent riding technique on mountain singletrack. Exercise caution near Fremo Cuncunà due to the steep exposure if you get too close to the edge of the cliff.