Passo d’Orgials

The Passo d’Orgials takes riders up a military ramp dating from World War II that was built as part of the Vallo Alpino. Today, this historic route serves as a prominent connection for mountain bikers between Vinadio and Isola 2000.

Description

The tour starts just above Vinadio, near Pratolungo in the hamlet of Puá. From there, the route follows the SP255 on paved roads, offering sweeping views and impressive mountain panoramas almost all the way to the Col de la Lombarde on the Italian-French border. Just before reaching it, the route branches off onto the Grande Traversata delle Alpi trail. From here, you’ll have to push your mountain bike—and in some sections, carry it—all the way to the Passo d’Orgials. At 2,600 meters above sea level, you’ll reach the highest point of the tour. Rugged cliffs, striking mountain lakes, and carefully constructed military trails characterize this section.

The descent heads east and begins with a few switchbacks. You’ll need solid cornering skills here, as some of the turns are quite tight. The route continues steadily downhill, past the Laghi d’Orgials to the Malinvern mountain hut. The surface then changes to gravel and asphalt, and the route winds back through the Riofreddo Valley. The descent is technically rated S1 to S2. This makes the tour particularly suitable for fit touring cyclists and should be undertaken in stable weather conditions.

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