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There is no flat on this route. It's up to the Col de Verdi and back down, and up to the Col de Sorba and back down - starting and finishing in the quiet village of Ghisoni. You can choose which Col to tackle first. I chose Verdi because when I set out it wasn't in my plan to do Sorba as well!
The ride up to Verdi has an 18km stretch at an average gradient of 4%. The ride up to Sorba has 10.5km at an average of 6%. The entire ride takes place on the D69. Much of this ride is in the shade due to the dense forestry and the roads are quiet most of the year. The trees are majestic with a combination of soaring Larico Pines and Chestnut - watch out for any chestnuts in the road as they're slippy; watch out too for any foraging wild pigs as they love the chestnuts! There is a refuge (late May to mid October) at the Col de Verdi and like me you might be tempted to stop and enjoy the surrounding forest whilst refuelling. I'm glad I did because after a swift descent to the edge of Ghisoni something inside me thought it would be a good idea to stay on the D69 and ride up to the Col de Sorba - not so long but a tougher gradient. The tree cover continues but when it opens up you'll also be able to see where you're headed and off to your right vistas of Monte Renosa which rises up to almost 2,500m. Attaining the Col you'll be greeted with a 'Bravo' spray painted onto the road surface. There's no refuge here just a photo opportunity next to the battered Col sign. It's worth carrying on for a few hundred metres to have a look out over the other side towards Vivario before turning and enjoying the descent back for the final time to Ghisoni. © M.Lund 2013-17
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