The Magic of the Alta Via del Sale and…the Bridgestone AX41

The name itself is a promise: The High Salt Road. The Alta Via del Sale threads its way from Piedmont and the French Alps to the Ligurian Sea. Once a military route, later a salt trail where mules hauled precious cargo through the mountains, it has now become one of Europe’s most spectacular unpaved tracks.

We rode it from the Tenda Pass to Briga Alta, aboard the CFMoto 450 MT fitted with Bridgestone’s AX41 — the most off road oriented adventure tyre in the brand’s lineup. Trust us: this is no place for slick touring rubber.

Gravel, Grit, and History

For 30 kilometers the Alta Via del Sale hugs the main ridge of the Alps, at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,100 meters. Setting off from Limone Piemonte toward Monesi, you’re instantly dropped into a landscape that feels almost otherworldly: barren rock, windswept karst plateaus, hairpins clinging to cliffs, and drop-offs that remind you this is no ordinary road.

The surface is pure off-road — loose stones, jagged slabs, deep gravel. Perfect terrain to put the AX41 to the test.

This track is steeped in history too. In the 14th and 15th centuries, salt caravans climbed these slopes, carrying goods from Mediterranean ports like Nice and Hyères. In the 16th century it was fortified as a military supply line. Even today, ruined fortresses and watchtowers line the route, silent reminders of its strategic importance. Riding here feels like navigating an open-air museum — except the exhibit is actively fighting for traction under your tyres.

AX41 in Its Element

Here, the AX41 is right at home. Designed for riders who seek out unpaved adventure, its deep block pattern bites into gravel and stone with relentless grip. On the nimble CFMoto 450 MT, the pairing was spot on. With 42 horsepower, the bike isn’t a powerhouse, but its low weight makes it agile and confidence-inspiring on loose ground.

Where big adventure bikes wrestle with hairpins and sink into soft gravel, the 450 MT simply danced through. Even when a sudden downpour hit between Rifugio Don Barbera and Monesi, the AX41s held their line. Wet or dry, they inspired the same confidence.

The High Points — Literally

The road winds across a string of passes: Colle della Perla (2,085 m), Colle del Lago dei Signori (2,130 m), Colle delle Selle Vecchie (2,097 m), and Colle della Boaria (2,102 m). For anyone who loves mountains, these names are poetry. On clear days, you can look down from the peaks and glimpse the Mediterranean glittering on the horizon — a surreal clash of rugged high country and sea-blue distance.

But don’t be lulled by the scenery. The cliffs are unforgiving and the surface unpredictable. Concentration is mandatory, and it’s here that the AX41 proves its worth. Grip, stability, and a steady feel — exactly what’s needed on a road that sometimes looks more like a goat track than a highway.

A Road of Contrasts

The magic of the Alta Via del Sale lies in its contrasts. One moment you’re riding across the lunar desolation of the Carsene plateau, the next you’re under the shade of the Bosco delle Navette, a dense forest where light flickers across the trail.

This corner of the Ligurian and Maritime Alps is famed for its biodiversity. Over 2,600 plant species thrive here, nurtured by a unique mix of Mediterranean warmth on the southern slopes and a harsher alpine climate on the north. It means that two sides of the same mountain can feel like completely different worlds.

Add to that the crumbling military forts scattered along the way, and the journey becomes more than just a ride — it’s a passage through history, nature, and geology all at once.

Toward the Passo di Tanarello

From Briga Alta, the trail continues toward the Passo di Tanarello (2,042 m), straddling the Italian-French border. We pushed on, only to discover this section is in a league of its own.

Here, the ruts are axle-deep, sometimes a meter down, and patches of mud test both rider and machine. It’s a wilder, more demanding counterpart to the Via del Sale, and a dream for anyone looking to push their limits.

We even had a run-in with the locals — not villagers, but the massive guard dogs that watch over the region’s sheep flocks. When one came barreling at us, teeth bared, the 450 MT’s throttle was our salvation. A cloud of dust and a burst of speed left us just out of reach. A stark reminder: these trails are still working routes for shepherds. We are visitors here.

Time forced us to turn back before reaching the summit, but perhaps that was for the best. Riders we met insisted this track is even tougher than the Alta Via del Sale. A cliffhanger ending — and the perfect excuse to return.

Surprisingly Civilized on Asphalt

Of course, no adventure ride is all dirt. From our basecamp in Pinerolo to the mountains and back, we logged plenty of road miles. What impressed us most: despite their chunky tread, the AX41s remained stable and predictable on asphalt. Cornering was confident, vibrations minimal. They behaved with the poise you’d expect from road-biased tyres, not knobbies.

Why It Stays With You

What makes the Alta Via del Sale unforgettable is the way it transforms under your wheels. You start among alpine peaks, descend through scented herbs and warm breezes, and end in Briga Alta — a tiny village that feels like a prize at the finish line. From there, the asphalt winds on to Monesi and, if you choose, all the way to the Ligurian coast.

But the true adventure? It’s up there, on the windswept ridge where history, nature, and motorcycling collide.

Is the Alta Via del Sale one of Europe’s greatest off-road routes? Without a doubt. It’s not about speed, but skill, control, and pure immersion in the mountains. A road open only in summer, once the snow retreats, and one that reminds you what adventure bikes — and adventure tyres — are really built for.

With the Bridgestone AX41 and CFMoto 450 MT, we had the perfect combination. The ride was intense, challenging, and breathtakingly beautiful.

The Alta Via del Sale isn’t just a road you ride.
It’s a road you live.