The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Passo di Tanarello

Tanarello Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.042m (6,699ft) above the sea level, located on the French-Italian border between Liguria, Piemonte and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. It belongs to the Ligurian Alps. The road to reach the pass is a gravel dirt track.

Passo di Tanarello

The road to Passo di Tanarello, part of the Via del Sale includes some steep sections, without market central lines, is very narrow, barely wide enough for 2 cars at the same time and it has not protections or guardrails. The surface of the road is gravel and sand, and chains or snow tyres can be required anytime. 
The unpaved sections of the road can be impassable when wet. After rain, sections of road can become decidedly hazardous when fast-flowing creek crossings and slippery mud can cause road closures. Portions of the road may be temporarily closed due to road work or inclement weather. Heavy or prolonged rain can cause local flash floods that cover the road with water or wash out culverts or bridges.
Passo di Tanarello is affected often by landslides and can be impassable. In some parts remnants of asphalt can be seen, but now there are very deep holes.
Pic: Matteo Quaglia

 

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