From Cuneo to the Sea: the Colle di Tenda

An alternative route to the French Riviera.

The Colle di Tenda is an Alpine mountain pass situated at an altitude of 1,871 metres above sea level, marking the divide between the Ligurian Alps and the Maritime Alps. Located along the main Alpine ridge, it lies between the Italian region of Piedmont and the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Its summit separates the Roya Valley, which straddles the Franco-Italian border to the south, from the Vermenagna Valley to the north. The pass has been a transit route since prehistoric times, once forming the highest point of the “Salt Road” and, later, the “Royal Road”.

In Roman times, it marked the boundary between Cisalpine Gaul and Narbonese Gaul. The Romans erected a votive deposit there, consisting of more than four hundred Roman coins, dating from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD, as revealed by archaeological excavations. Moreover, at the summit, evidence has been found of an ancient rite known as iactatio, linked to crossing the pass, which involved throwing a coin near an altar or temple to ensure a safe journey.

The Colle, regarded as a true historical passage, was first mentioned in 1041 in an imperial charter issued by Emperor Henry III, where it was referred to as montem Cornium, which later evolved into “Cornio”, “Cornia”, and finally “Cornu”. Its current name, “Colle di Tenda”, dates back to the 16th century, derived from the nearby town of Tenda at the foot of the pass.

In 1614, Duke Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy began work on a tunnel beneath the pass to facilitate safer and easier passage for salt merchants heading to Piedmont and for pilgrims en route to Santiago de Compostela. However, the project was abandoned shortly after it began due to a lack of funds.

In the 18th century, Victor Amadeus III of Savoy attempted to revive the tunnel works, but he too failed to complete the undertaking. A third attempt during the Napoleonic era also ended in failure.

In 1780, work began on a surface road, aimed at widening and securing the mountain paths. A guard post was also established to assist travellers, particularly during the winter months.

The road tunnel under the Colle di Tenda was finally completed in 1882, followed by the railway tunnel in 1898, which was even longer than the former.

In September 1947, with the enforcement of the Paris Peace Treaties, the border between Italy and France was shifted northward, transferring Briga Marittima, Tenda, and a significant portion of the pass to France.

In summer, the Colle di Tenda is especially popular for mountain hikes, such as the ascent to Rocca dell’Abisso, for visits to the historic forts that once guarded the area, and for paragliding. The pass is also located near two protected natural areas: the Maritime Alps Natural Park in Italy and the Mercantour National Park in France, which spans the departments of Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

On the Italian side, the Colle di Tenda is accessed from the municipality of Borgo San Dalmazzo, passing through the towns of Roccavione, Robilante, Vernante and Limone Piemonte. On the French side, it is reached from the town of Tende, via the hamlet of Vievola.

The fortification complex of the Colle di Tenda consists of six forts, including Forte Colle Alto, the central stronghold of the defensive system. These forts were built by the Kingdom of Italy between 1877 and 1888 to defend the border with France. Although they were never used in combat, they housed several garrisons.

Tende is a French commune located in the department of Alpes-Maritimes. Nearby lies the “Valley of Wonders”, an area where over 35,000 prehistoric rock engravings have been discovered.

The commune remains part of the Italian geographical region, as it is located within the drainage basin of the Roya River.