Colle Fauniera
Legendary Climbs
From Marco Pantani’s epic climb, celebrated by a Nero di Ormea marble sculpture at the top of the mountain pass, to Paolo Savoldelli’s breakneck descent in the 1999 Giro d’Italia, the access roads to Colle Fauniera from the Grana, Stura and Maira valleys, from the latter with the addition of Colle di Esischie, represent an important goal for cycling enthusiasts since they were tarmacked in the early 1990s. This is demonstrated by the fact that numerous hairpin bends on the Grana Valley side have been named after the great cycling champions, and by the numerous records from the Chrono Test Points, timing stations that were active until a few years ago.
The pass can be climbed from three different sides*.
Saturday 15 June | Canceled event due to high snow accumulations deposited in spring 2024, which make it impossible to reopen the road in time for the day
Wednesday 3 July | View and download the photos
Starting from the Stura Valley, the maximum gradient is 12.5%, with a total elevation gain of 1,730 m over a 25 km route. The meeting point for participants is in Demonte, at Piazza Spada; the road will be closed to traffic from Loc. San Giacomo (elevation gain 1,200 m, 15 km route).
From the Grana Valley, the maximum gradient is 14% with a total elevation gain of 1,650 m over a 22 km route. The meeting place for participants is in Pradleves, at the Abrì sports facilities in Via Nazzari 3; the road will be closed to traffic in Castelmagno, from the Sanctuary (elevation gain 720 m, 8 km route).
From the Maira Valley, the maximum gradient is 12% with a total elevation gain of 1,290 m over an 18 km route that also includes going beyond the Colle di Esischie mountain pass. The meeting place for participants is in Marmora, near the tourist office at the crossroads between Marmora and Canosio; the road will be closed to traffic from Borgata Tolosano (elevation gain 915 m, 13 km route).
*on Saturday 15 June, the access road from the Stura Valley to the mountain pass will not be closed to motor vehicle traffic
