Tende Pass – Col de Tende

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Une publication partagée par 𝕲𝖎𝖆𝖓𝖑𝖚𝖈𝖆 𝕽𝖔𝖘𝖘𝖎 (@gianrouge.2.0) le 19 Févr. 2020 à 1 :02 PST

Summer and winter activities

In winter, the Casterino area is a real white paradise. Snowshoe hiking, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, dog sledding, the “Riserva bianca” resort of Limone, which is 30 minutes from Tende, is a family resort with slopes for all levels.

In summer, the Roya valley is a real pleasure. In this setting of high peaks, forests and mountain pastures, on the French-Italian border, it is possible to practice canyoning or rafting in the waters of La Roya, a river that has its source at the Col de Tende and whose mouth is in the Ligurian Sea. In this region, you can take the opportunity to visit Breil sur Roya, La Brigue, Saorge, Sospel, Tende…

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Une publication partagée par Alex O'Riordan (@alex.oriordan)

A bit of History…

The pass separates on one side the Maritime Alps, the Mercantour Argentera massif, from the Ligurian Alps. It plays a strategic role in the History of France. Since Roman times, it has been used by the road linking Turin to Nice. In 404, part of Alaric’s army defeated by Stilicon at the battle of Pollentia used it to reach Gaul. It was also used by the Franks returning from the battle of Asti, fought against the Lombards in 663. Several years later, the road over the Col de Tende is called the “strata salis”, or salt road. The place then became a source of income for the accounts of Tende and the Lascaris of Ventimiglia who signed a treaty in 1279 with the town of Cuneo to ensure the surveillance and maintenance of the road and thus promote trade.

The Central Fort and the defensive barracks were built between 1877 and 1880. The following year the construction of fortifications began as part of the defense system set up to protect Piedmont from enemy assaults.

In the course of history, the road over the Col de Tende became an important artery of the Savoy States and a route often used by invading armies that came to cross the Alps’ mountain range. It was also a major road passage in the Western Alps between the Mediterranean ports of Nice, Villefranche sur Mer, Menton and Piedmont.