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Strada dell’Assietta

Grosse Scheidegg

The Strada dell'Assietta

Gravel biking at its best




START: Sestrières

FINISH: Lago delle Rane


EFFORT: Medium


DISTANCE: 33km (one way)


VERTICAL: 940m


The Italian region of Piemonte is a gravel biking paradise. It features a network of old military roads which are just perfect fo this type of off road riding: not too technical, not too steep… and often in beautiful high alpine landscapes.

One of the best gravel roads of Piemonte (or maybe the best?) is the Strada dell’Assietta near Sestrières: 30 km of an incredibly scenic road, all between an altitude of 2’000 and 2’500m.

Alain found out about the Strada dell’Assietta when he took part in the 2015 Transcontinental Race. He was amazed but suffered multiple punctures: « Riding [the Strada dell’Assietta] on a road bike was like bringing a knife to a gunfight » he wrote at the time. He promised himself he would go back with a gravel bike.

A year later, Scott gave us this opportunity and we spent two days in the area. We rode the Strada dell’Assietta and scouted more gravel roads around. These included the Strada Militare Colle Finestre – Gran Serin that goes up to 2'800m and the famous Colle delle Finestre where Chris Froome launched a legendary attack to win the 2018 Giro d’Italia.

You can read Alain’s story on our blog and on the Scott website.



TIP: Have a break at Rifugio Assietta. This hut in the middle of nowhere serves great coffee and food. We're in Italy, after all.



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Grosse Scheidegg

Early morning on the far side of the Strada dell'Assietta, above Lago delle Rane.

Grosse Scheidegg

Riding high above the valley that leads to Sestrières

Grosse Scheidegg

Switchbacks are good, gravel switchbacks are even better

Grosse Scheidegg

Near the top of the Colle delle Finestre

Grosse Scheidegg

In the distance: the Massif des Ecrins in France.

Grosse Scheidegg

Puncture with a view.

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Comments 3

  1. Hello, I’m a journalist looking for a true Gravel gem for an Article in the southern Alps near Sestrières.

    Can you place me in touch with somebody in your organization that works with editorial media.

    Thanks, Ian Reid
    Director Sportif

    1. Post
      Author

      Hi Ian, not sure if I can help but I’m your guy. You can email Dan (at) patitucciphoto.com

  2. What a fantastic road!

    I’d love to get recommendations on how to marry this with other scenic roads for a tour. I see there is a race (Turin-Nice) which included this road…but I’m not a racer, just an avid cyclist. Thanks for whatever resources you can point me toward.

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