This is the shorter 'mini Via del Sale' descent to Tende, heading west from the col towards Casterino and descending towards the Roya valley. There are some steeper sections on the main descent, up to around 15-17% for short sections around 11km in, though overall the gradient profile is not severe.

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At the time of writing (July '21) there are roadworks in the Roya valley, related to the damage caused by Storm Alex.

Between Saint-Dalmas and Fontan is a 6 km long portion (downhill, on gravel track and tarmac) where traffic is one direction at a time.

At night and on week-ends, traffic can pass every hour between h00 to h15 from Saint-Dalmas to Fontan, and between h30 to 0h45 in the other direction. On weekdays the road is closed for works and only one crossing at 12:00 downwards and 12:30 upwards is allowed from 07:00 to 17:00.

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After La Brigue is the big climb to the Fort de la Forca and the Col de Turini, using a new road for the TNR. It's a tunnelled, balcony road that change into a dirt road towards the top.

The Roya valley between the Col Tende and the start of the climb to the Fort de la Forca is another potential supplies desert if you arrive there late after taking this route as a shorter-cut. Restaurants are the main options, though there is a Spar shop in Tende itself. Worth studying the options on the map.