Are you looking for the best Piedmont mountains, Italy? Mount Jafferau is one of the “classics” most loved by bikers, topped by a large fort and it’s one of the highest mountain roads of Europe.

The Monte Jafferau is a mountain in the Hautes Alpes, with a highest peak of 2.805 m above sea level. It’s located in front of the town of Dora di Bardonecchia and consists in two peaks: Testa del Ban (2.652m) and the summit itself Jafferau (2.805m).

The road follows a route among several forts. The slope of the road is less than 12%, and the width is around 3 meters.

The road is passable by off-road vehicles, transit is allowed.

The real jewel and the main characteristic of the “military road 79” is the spectacular Pramand Tunnel, known as “Galleria dei Saraceni”, 876 metres long and excavated in round a corner under the Mount Seguret’s steeples between the two world wars. The popular name of the Galleria dei Saraceni comes from the typical carsic caves excavated in the limestone above.

The tunnel is completely dark, except the first part where, on the left side in the beginning of the first world war was built an emergency exit in case of landslide.

The reinforcement roadworks made inside hasn’t entirely avoided water infiltrations, so it’s very important to drive carefully, especially after the first half of the tunnel.

The exit is very spectacular: you can see Seguret’s hillside behind, the Pramand’s spur and a view of Assietta’s ridge on the opposite side of the high Susa Valley.

Another jewel, on the top of the mountain, is the FORT JAFFERAU at 2805 metres The fort was built between 1896 and 1898 and you can see the 8 cannons sites on the fort top with the indication of the tracking corners and the ready lockers below.

Of the boundary wall it remains only the front gate where there was the drawbridge.

The sight on the summit is unique and in the coldest days with clear sky you can discover a 360°-degree view from Monviso,to Pic de Rochebrune, to Chaberton at 4000 metres in France and over Bardonecchia’s basin, the road is open from May to October.

Piedmont Mountains, Italy -How to get there

Turin Caselle is the nearest airport. Then we suggest you to hire a car.