This mountain road is among the many that connect Italy to France in the southern portion of the Alps. It does not matter from where you climb, because the scenery is gorgeous on both sides: in fact, once in Italy you can visit the Sant’Anna Sanctuary, one of the most famous of the area and the one at the highest altitude in all Europe, while on the French side you find the Isola 2000 ski resort or the equally beautiful and a bit more relaxing village of Isola, from where you can then drive south towards the Vésubie Valley and later on the sea, or north to the Col de la Bonette, the highest paved road in the old continent.
Location: Vinadio (ITA) – Isola (FRA)
Elevation: 2.350m
Type: mountain road
The Colle della Lombarda is not a road for fast alpine blasts, but rather a sort of enchanted place where to feel at peace with nature and the incredible scenery the whole climb offers to drivers, bikers and climbers too. The road is very narrow, especially on the way down to Vinadio, so it would be better to slow down for once and enjoy the view, maybe have a stop or two – especially close to the lakes you’ll find next to the summit.