Stella Alpina area update.

[Noddy]

As mentioned in the Flatlanders thread. The Sommeiller climb of Stella Alpina rally fame has been drastically changed. These are photos from July and September this year. They have had some serious dirt moving stuff up there and the whole area has been flattened and a massive vehicle park opened up. You can only continue on foot now. The first is the highest that I could get up to with the wrong tyres in July. Lots of other bikes made it higher, up to the lake and even up to the flags. Photos 2 and 3 show that the whole area is now closed off, and the odd 4x4 areas are now also closed.

 

[Noddy]

There were bikes up here in July now its on foot only. Seems to have been a bit dry since.

 

[Noddy]

The tracks have been widened, graded and the tight turns have been taken out. I would love to know just how many Tonnes were shifted.

 

[Noddy]

Theres enough room for a couple of trucks to pass here now.

 

[Noddy]

This section is so well known by the badge collectors. Anyhow it has also been altered and gently graded. The section above, to those who know it, is the only section now with the smallest amount of difficulty. Again July and the other way round for September.

 

[Noddy]

Ok. Great times had but there are restrictions coming into force now. Most of these trails are closed for Fri, Sat and Sun for Aug and Sept and the Assietta at odd times for cycling. The Finestre is now officially closed to bikes and quads. No enforcement up there on week days that we saw but other bikers had been turned back at other times. All of these trails are closed from Sept/Oct to June/July. What to do to keep them open ? The Italian off roaders have probably got a plan, but what ? Anybody who can speak Italian and translate their intentions care to help ?

 

[Pumpy]

Thanks for the update though, Noddy. I'll ask GiorgioXT if he knows more about any initiatives.

 

[Annette]

Perhaps they're getting ready to tarmac it for the cyclists!!

I keep in touch with Enzo of Italian Enduro fame. It seems the Italian govenment want motorbikes and quads "off their mountains". The walkers and cyclists have done in Italy what the ramblers did over here unfortunately. Enzo had moved down to Milan and is checking out what's around down there.

For anyone who went to the Stella there was this report in the Rider's Digest:

http://theridersdigest.co.uk/story1.html

Tarka this is the chap we were talking to down at the railway station when we were still trying to stop shaking