WARNING – a genuinely dangerous road with a risk of death. Officially closed. Presented here as 'Off Grid' and for reference.

This road is formally closed by Cuneo Province but remains in use, mainly by locals. This year (2022) there was a report of two riders being fined 60 Euros by the police for using the road.

Sheer valley sides subject to regular rockfall onto the road, with tunnels, missing barriers creating real risk of a fatal fall and regular road debris all posing severe risks. If you ride this way, do so with great care and the understanding that high risks are not within your control.

There is a high danger from the rockfall and road debris which may cause loss of control of your bike, and in many places there are no barriers to save you from going over the edge. Some of those barriers are broken and would cause serious or fatal injury in a collision. Cycle helmets offer no protection from falling rocks that can be large enough to kill instantly - there are clear signs of recent rock fall on this road at all times. Keep your speed down and attention up. Consider this route in the way a mountaineer would consider passing under a steep, snow and rock filled gulley subject to the afternoon sun.

DO NOT RIDE this road during or after periods of heavy rain when rockfall risk is highest. If in any doubts, take the SP335 road towards Stroppo instead – it’s a good road that ends in the same place on-route.

From the top of the Colle di Sampeyre there is a choice between this infamous road descent or the safer, easy SP335 road (SP335 is not included in TNR route files but it is signposted and easy to find on a map).

Both roads avoid the Strada Cannoni’s rocky descent and reducing the route distance by 20 miles approx. This route file follows the beautiful steep-sided valley, the Vallone di Elva, also known as ‘the death road’ for obvious reasons. Pause for a moment at the Madonna del Vallone at the top, perhaps.

Towards the end of either route, particularly SCR.2, there aren’t many options for supply if it’s late in the day. Route 3 passes more options on the valley road towards the end than the SCR.2 option. Restaurants and bars may be your only option so it’s wise to carry something in reserve.

At the end of section 3 it’s time to decide whether you’re up for some rough stuff in the Alps or a tough but beautiful climb on a small road.