Automotive

So we quickly looked for alternatives and found a likely candidate in the D2204 and subsequently D6204 that should have brought us to Italy. So about turn and off the journey started. 

And gloriously it began! The D2204 was completely deserted and allowed for a nice spirited drive, with fun for driver and passenger both, some nice scenery (you will largely need to take my word for it as I wasn’t in a position to take many pictures). And unlike at the Stelvio, a large heavy estate was not an impediment to progress - the road was perfectly suited to get the best from the glorified taxi. The occasional overtake spurt probably also provided a nice aural pleasure for the overtaken convertibles and motorcyclists 😈

The small towns one passed did not offer a lot of culinary choice (missing lunch time in France can mean having to wait till dinner) but the architecture was occasionally quite nice and compensated for it. 

The D2204 eventually merged into the D6204 and while this was a tad less curvy and three dimensional, it allowed a continuation of covering ground at a good rate. It all seemed like a great choice until signs of the tunnel between France and Italy being closed started springing up, something the inbuilt satnav seemingly wasn’t aware off. So, either a 3-4 hour detour back, or ask Google for alternatives. And as usually, there was one - sure, it took longer (although we felt it was being unreasonably pessimistic with the average speed) but less so than the detour, so decided to give it a try. 

Already along the D6204 the EDF - the French Electricity Company - seemed to be the major employer and this continued along the detour over the mountain - but then with lots of rivers being decidedly ‘dammable’ - that’s hardly a surprise. 

At this point the road was quite snaking, with regular switchbacks and slowly diminished from a full scale ‘one lane in each direction’ to something akin to one and a half lane in total. Fortunately there was hardly any traffic and the few cars and motorcycles ahead decided that they did not want that menacing V8 sound behind and graciously let us pass 😂

At some point we arrived at what appeared to be an alpine holiday resort, full of hikers. The timing was excellent for lunch and a little stretching of the legs, before taking the final leg to Italy. 

This is where the road started to get surprisingly ‘interesting’. Not a stranger to a bit of gravel and fully privy to the sunk costs fallacy, we decided to press on irrespective 🤦🏻‍♂️

At some point we passed a sign saying 4x4 vehicles only and (see sunk costs fallacy above) decided to continue onwards - I mean how hard could it get? And coming from the generation where you run what you brought (as there was generally no alternative), on we went - in the worst case it would mean miles of reversing as there was nowhere wide enough to turn around. 

Still it meant wonderful nature and for the first time it was us who started to let better suitable vehicles pass 😉

As common with mountain passes, tunnels came into the fray sooner or later, even if gravel road tunnels are probably not completely the standard fare nowadays. 

While unlit inside, at least there were no corners and the sun prevented the advent of complete darkness, which is always a bit creepy in a tunnel. 

The road continued to be fun, even if in a much slower sort of way and fortunately the other road users eventually allowed us to pass. Making sure tires didn’t take damage was an additional occupation in addition to driving and capturing the environment as best as possible. 

At some point we started approaching what appeared to be the top of the first pass, and with it some ‘local’ wildlife above the tree line. 

This is also where we saw the actual name for the road taken - Route Strategique sounded suitably impressive and certainly not like the most commonly chosen way 😂

Here also pillboxes and other fortifications started appearing ever more frequently, which added some additional interest to the journey 👍🏻

The nature continued showing itself from its best side and the air was lovely up here. 

The drops were impressive so any ideas of power sliding and drifting around the corners were nipped in the bud 🤷🏻‍♂️🏁

Unlike us that seemed of no concern to one of the local quad drivers, who passed with gusto and seemed to have a glorious ride. 

At some point we arrived at the Fort Pernante, a larger fortification complex close to the border. And some locals who were practicing off road driving, which looked fun enough. 

Our vehicle looked somewhat out of place and some worried motorcyclists were eyeing us suspiciously (and then discussing among themselves how crazy these tourists are nowadays) 😂

Finally we started approaching Italy and the final fortifications came into view (including the Fort Central du Col de Tende) and announced the end of the ‘interesting’ bits. 

Crossing into Italy immediately changed the road to a narrow yet tarmacked one and the paucity of traffic allowed for a wonderful descent to Limone, the first town of significance on the Italian side. 

Sometimes those detours turn out to be the most memorable bits of the journey and this was certainly one that was not planned but which will irrespectively be long recalled (and with quite some positivity). 

So if you’re after some fun driving and the Col de Turini is full, the D2204 will provide plenty of fun (assuming the final tunnel is open). And if it’s not and you’re of the adventurous kind, there’s an alternative to the alternative, too 😁

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