Description

The Maritime and Ligurian Alps form a natural border between France and Italy: a sustained ridge with no dramatic summits but no weaknesses to encourage road builders. Only at the Col de Tende do they permit a road pass, and this was superseded by a tunnel more than a century ago. It’s a strategic land studded with the remnants of forts, and an old military road crests an extended tract of the border ridge, now on one side, now on the other. It’s a magnificent high ride. Some years ago we attempted it in early summer: too early, we were thwarted by snow.