After a wonderfully quiet night, we started the new day relaxed – and immediately realized that we had forgotten something important yesterday: the coffee scale! After all, nothing worked without coffee. So let’s catch up: it was only one coffee, but a strong one – 4 out of 5 points.

Today was a real coffee kick: we had our first coffee with owner Steffi in a small bar like the ones you can find here. Cozy, warm and tasty – 6 out of 5 points!

Colle delle Finestre

Our first highlight of the day was initially hidden behind thick clouds. The ascent to the Strada del Finestre was initially perfectly asphalted, winding its way up the mountain with tight hairpin bends and crisp gradients. But at some point, the asphalt gave way to coarse gravel – this is where the actual Finestre began.

It got cloudier with every meter of altitude. At first we thought: too bad… but luck was on our side. The clouds moved past us to the left and right, so that we had a clear view at an altitude of over 2,000 meters: a great view of both valleys, over the Strada and the adjacent mountain massifs.

In between, herds of cows climbed calmly up and down the steep slopes – always an impressive sight.

On the Assietta ridge road

After a short asphalt section downhill, we turned onto the Assietta ridge road – a historic military road from the 18th century that once connected the lines of defense between Italy and France. The famous Battle of the Assietta took place here in 1747, when Piedmontese troops repelled a French attack. Today, monuments and plaques commemorate this time.

The route itself? It wasn’t challenging – at least not after yesterday’s ski slope on the Jafferau. A real off-road classic, more for cars than motorcycles, as other riders had already told us. And they were right.

Clouds accompanied us here too, and we drove through them at times – but at the monument at around 2,500 meters it cleared up: blue sky, sun and a panorama that gave us goose bumps.

Compared to the last few days, it was surprisingly empty: hardly any bikers, hardly any off-roaders. Instead, there were marmots in the yellow-green grass and eagles in the sky. Just the way we loved it.

After just under three hours, we reached Colle Blegier at 2,383 meters. It got a bit rougher here, so we engaged the gear reduction for the first time. The descent was bumpy, but easy thanks to the four-wheel drive and experienced driver.

Back in France

Down in the village, we treated ourselves to a cappuccino – 5 out of 5 points. While we were still standing comfortably, two honking motorcycles suddenly appeared – our friends from yesterday! A cheerful hello, a brief exchange, then we parted ways again. In case you’re reading this: Greetings to you 😃😍

The return journey took us through large ski resorts – fortunately without the hustle and bustle of the season. Before we knew it, we were back in France. A small highlight on the way back was the Col du Montgenèvre – full of bends, 8% gradient, a real pleasure to ride.

On the way, a sign reminded us of the Maginot Line that once ran along here. Around Briançon, the defenses stretched through the mountains. Unlike in the north of France, the Alpine Maginot Line was not a closed bulwark, but consisted of individual high mountain fortresses. The Janus, Gondran and Mont-Dauphin forts in particular secured the passes and supplemented the older Vauban fortresses in the region. Today, many of these fortifications are ruins – silent witnesses to a time when the Alps marked a border not only in terms of landscape but also militarily.

After just over an hour’s drive and a short stop at the Zur goldenen Möwe restaurant, we rolled into our accommodation. Small but nice – just right for blogging and falling into bed tired.

☕ Coffee statistics

• Addendum yesterday: 4/5

• Bar at Steffi’s: 6/5

• Cappuccino in town: 5/5

Conclusion: The Strada del Finestre and the Assietta ridge road showed us the perfect mix of off-road, nature and history. Clouds, marmots, eagles, historical monuments and, at the end, the memory of the Maginot Line – a day that had many facets. This is exactly why we are on the road. 🚙⛰️