Strada ex-Militare Colle di Tenda (Former Tenda Pass Military Road)

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The Italians built a large network of military roads along their mountainous borders with France, Switzerland, and Austria-Hungary (now Austria and Slovenia) during the time of the first world war. Many of these roads are now maintained for recreational pursuits.

The Strada ex-Militare Colle di Tenda (Former Tenda Pass Military Road) runs from the Col de Tende to the Col de la Perle (Perle Pass). The Col de Tende has been an important trade route since ancient times although a tunnel now runs beneath it.

To access this trail, you'll have to drive literally up a ski run from Limone Piemonte via Panice Soprana on the Italian side. It's not the kind of thing you probably do everyday, but it's fully asphalted to the top and can be done in a normal car. There is a mountain hut (Chalet le Marmotte) and large parking area just below the Col de Tende. It is not recommended to drive up from the French side.

From the parking lot, take the branch to the left. After 1.2 miles, the Les Trois Forts de Montagne (The Three Mountain Forts) trail merges with the route and then at 1.5 miles, you should take the left fork to continue on the Strada ex-Militare. Just before you reach the upper station for a ski lift at 2.6 miles, there is a steep section. Beyond the ski station, you begin a one mile, 150 m (500 ft) climb with multiple switchbacks that will probably make your lungs burn if you aren't used to the altitude.

At the top of this climb, you look down into a high mountain valley and the 1.5-mile continuous descent you have in front of you. There is a small alpine lake signaling the bottom of the climb. From there, it is a short, 15 m (50 ft) climb up to the Col de la Perle trail junction.

Here roads continue to follow the border or branch down to the French city of Tende below. Unless you have a shuttle waiting somewhere, it's wise to take the Cime du Bec singletrack and the Les Trois Forts de Montagne (The Three Mountain Forts) back to whence you started.