Colle Fauniera / Col di Morts from Demonte

Hidden in a godforsaken non-touristy hole of Piedmont, the Colle Fauniera has only been included in the Giro d'Italia 3 times. This climbing side, cycled up in late August 2025, even served only as a spectacular descent.
First half, after starting in Demonte, goes up the side valley of the Stura Valley very irregularly through woodland sporadically interrupted by small villages. After San Giacomo, the last at 14 km from the summit, the road becomes narrower, steeper, there is no more habitation and hardly any traffic.
You cycle through a rough wild and desolate mountain landscape of alpine meadows between jagged rock massifs. Marmots cross the road whistling. Hundreds of sheep graze. Clattering cows wander around or even just stand on the road.
The higher up, the worse the road surface. The whole gamut of gravel, pebbles, large boulders, cracks, deep pits, crumbled sides pass under your wheels. Sporadic repairs are made with a strip of new asphalt.
Last kilometre flattens out, turning slightly on a balcony route against rock face that turns through a rock crevice before the summit.
At the summit there is nothing beyond a few flags, a cross and, of course, Pantani's statue. I got there that day in clouds, fog and rain. Weather conditions can change quickly.
Due to limited visibility and the road described earlier, my descent back went a lot more carefully than the historic Salvoldelli dive (1999) that earned him the nickname
" Il Falco" earned him the nickname.

Practicality:
There are water sources in approach villages, and Rifiugio Carbonetto 8 km from the summit.(food & drink)
There are cycle info signs every km. but they are rather small in size.
Provide enough clothing for weather changes (cold/wet/wind).

Desolate steep PAREL.!!!!!!!!
The most pristine alpine pass above 2,500 metres that I know of.
You could figuratively, on this Colle dei Morti, die !

What a beautiful climb. In my opinion, it can easily be divided into two: the first part of the approach, which is fairly light, with a few short climbs, and the second part, in which you climb.
In the first part you approach the real climb, climb up the valley and then climb it.
The second part, on the other hand, is recognisable because it starts with a hairpin bend that passes around a refuge / hut. From there you climb, always at 10％, into a fantastic, wild valley. And from there it is long, there is still some km to go.
I reach the false pass and from there it is another 1km.
At the top, THE PIRATE greets us.

Tough, but beautiful!

Beautiful, wild and challenging climb. Coming out of the forest, you will pedal in the company of marmot whistles and a grandiose landscape. The second part of the climb is very continuous, with gradients often close to or above 10％, for long stretches. The traverse before the last surge and the pass, with the whole valley below, is truly stupendous.

Nice but tough climb on less to poor road surface.
Done this one from Demonte.

Incredibly beautiful col, no traffic, road surface very moderate to bad and I found it lousy. The ninth col of the ten highest in Europe, for me the hardest of the ten.

A rating between four and five stars. Really a wonderful surprise. One important thing right away. The last section is closed this week, I don't know if this is temporary and x how long it will be. For the climb, starting at 8 a.m. from Demonte in July, you can enjoy the coolness and shade for the first 10/12km, which are the most sustainable because the climbs above 10％ are followed by short recovery sections. The last 12km, on the other hand, are exposed to the sun and are a constant climb near and even above 10％. The scenery is enchanting, especially where the road climbs, zero traffic, encountered two bikes and five marmots. The only noise is the river and the whistling of the marmots. I counted 5 points uphill where I could get water, almost all at the start. Super recommended despite the great difficulty! Beware of the descent due to the sometimes imperfect asphalt and especially the very narrow road.

Super irregular col in the Italian Alps. My bike computer indicated long stretches above 12％. I think a 1km graph would be more appropriate for this climb. Furthermore, the altitude should not be underestimated. You almost reach 2500m and you will feel that in the last kilometers. In terms of beauty, I found the climb cool, but not super special. The view at the top is to be framed.

Very nice climb. Long and with many parts around 10％. little traffic. The descent towards Ponte Marmora is in very bad condition!