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COL DU MONT CENIS
The Mont Cenis is a wonderful albeit short road that connects Italy and France, offering an incredible glimpse of the crystal clear waters of the lake that accompanies drivers on their way up (or way down) for almost all the kilometers covered once the border has been crossed. Located on the Alpine stretch that separates the Cottian Alps from the Graian Alps, it rises 2,083 meters from sea level. The Mont Cenis was a crucial railway link, before the Frejus tunnel facilitated the transport of goods from one valley to the other, but going even further back in time – in the Middle Ages – it was even one of the main arteries of the famous Via Francigena.
As it often happens, the south side is completely different from the north side, with the first one having a very tortuous stretch (celebrated by motorcyclists chasing strong emotions), at least up to the Lac Saint Nicolas, where the vegetation begins to thin out and there is a taste of the first switchbacks, mainly characterized by an asphalt in excellent condition and by a road that is always wide enough, so as to allow to drive in complete safety. After a handful of hairpin bends the main lake peeps out and keeps company until the end of the stretch, when the road towards Lanslebourg allows you to increase the pace, entering a forest characterized by fast curves and very wide hairpin turns that will confirm that a rear-wheel drive is the ideal choice here.
Location: from Novalesa (Italy) to Val Cenis (France)
Elevation: 2.083 m
Type: mountain road
The north side, the so-called French side (although almost the entire pass is officially located in France) has a very wide road, with excellent visibility and certainly not lacking in curves, but if you are here it is mainly to enjoy the spectacle offered by the beautiful lake located a few meters from the road and the mountains always rich in wildlife, for which attention is recommended. We advise you to travel the Col du Mont Cenis from south to north, facing uphill hairpins and appreciating the panorama that is gradually revealed, a curve after the other.
The Col du Mont Cenis is just an hour from the metropolitan center of Turin, so finding occasional tourists is easy, especially on weekends. On the other hand, the conformation of the territory offers numerous lay-by areas, useful for enjoying the landscape and for taking beautiful photos. At the top, which means on the lakefront as well, there are also various dining options, some souvenir shops and plenty of opportunities for trekking lovers. It is a potentially busy road and with the border police sometimes engaged in routine checks, therefore it is advisable to undertake it with due precautions.
Photo by Daniél Rikkard
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