An approximately 120 km route through the middle Val Susa and up to the Colle del Moncensio, one of the most important passes used since the Middle Ages.
We set off from Susa taking the asphalt road to Villar Focchiardo. A series of dirt tracks allow you to reach the ruins of Banda Abbey and, through dense chestnut groves, Mattie and Meana di Susa, to eventually climb to Pian Gelassa and Pian del Frais. From here, an easy dirt track takes you down to Chiomonte and back to Susa, where the climb to the Moncenisio Pass begins.
Near the former Customs House, a dirt road branches off on the left-hand side that runs along the dam of the Lake Moncenisio, a remarkable work of engineering. Another easy dirt road runs along the lake and overlooks countless forts and outposts: the most famous are Fort Malamot, Fort Varisello - reachable with a short walk - and Fort Pattacreuse; in front of us we can admire Fort de la Roncia and Fort de la Petit Turrat, which dominates the hill. On the other hand, following the lake by road, along the north-eastern side, there is a short detour to the Colle del Piccolo Moncensio.
Back at the Moncenisio Pass, the descent to Susa can be made on an asphalt road, following a variant to the outward itinerary, passing through Moncenisio and its small Ferrera Lake and then descending to Novalesa, where there is the famous abbey founded in the 10th century. Then, still on asphalt, to Susa.