M
marchugo
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- 480
Great pictures, thanks for sharing. That's the way to enrich this nice forum.
You were very lucky with the weather, that can change very quick in these Alpine regions. When these unpaved roads get wet, I can imagine that even a 4x4 WD will be slip sliding away soon.
Which maps do you use? Print or offline digital?
(On Open Street Maps it's hardly possible to see the difference between a driveable piste usable for cars and a walking trail.)
Regards from Amsterdam,
Marc.
You were very lucky with the weather, that can change very quick in these Alpine regions. When these unpaved roads get wet, I can imagine that even a 4x4 WD will be slip sliding away soon.
Which maps do you use? Print or offline digital?
(On Open Street Maps it's hardly possible to see the difference between a driveable piste usable for cars and a walking trail.)
Regards from Amsterdam,
Marc.
MickyTwoPints
Wow! Just Wow! That is absolutely stunning. I'm nowhere near brave enough for that and Mrs Two Pints is scared of heights too so I'll just enjoy your photos and reading your experiences. Thanks for sharing them. Really inspiring.
PudnBob
No more waiting….let the adventures begin
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I think the OH is fed up with my out loud “Oh Wow” comments and then says the same when I show your pictures. Really inspiring. I do suffer from vertigo but due to having the Cali have been pushing my boundaries on more than one occasion.... only have a 2wd but will seriously consider building up to something like your amazing adventures, again thanks for taking the time to share
bvddobb
Top Poster
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This one seems to end very close to an Agriturismo? Anyway, here is track no.5 as a .gpx file:
Skewif
It’s not what you have, it's where you wake up.
Thank you, really appreciate the appreciation. I have been very lucky with the weather for years in September as rarely has it rained. What caught me out this year was a really cold snap in my first week. Had not taken thick enough gloves to use the bike and then got worried when it started to snow heavy one evening 2500m up.... what if I get stranded... for the winter! Thankfully it soon passed and dug the shorts out.
Because almost all the tracks are gravel it makes little difference if wet apart from exiting some of the deep water run off trenches on steep climbs as they are often lined with rock slabs. To me the real danger lies when it gets muddy or you drive over grass. Had one really scary moment when a very steep and challenging track suddenly went muddy. Could not turn round, would have to reverse for a mile on a track that was more than tricky to go forward on and faced with mud on such a camber that if the van slipped it would either end up in a deep ditch damaged or drop hundreds of feet into the valley. Then to top it all, I'd have to do it again on the way down... eeeek! This was one of those moments when you really appreciate how great it is to be in a AWD camper. Made it up with all wheels spinning at times but only by being as close to the edge of the sheer drop as I dare. On refection I took a very big risk, at one point the van was crabbing awards the ditch and had it gone much further would have trashed my treasured Cali, the holiday and my ego. But worse was the thought that I had my outer tyres right on the edge of a sheer drop that could have easily just crumbled away with the weight of the van. I learned my lesson and will (probably) never do something like that ever again. The view while having breakfast at the top was just spectacular, made all the more satisfying by what it took to get there.
I have read reports about some tracks turning into rivers of mud in the winter so yes there is a lot to consider. Being an old sailor I'm always watching the weather but with no signal for reports sometimes you only have a couple on minutes warning of what's coming.
I use a combination of maps. I find tracks I want to explore on Google maps satellite and street view. Maps.me really handy when no signal and my Tom-tom for general getting to places.
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Skewif
It’s not what you have, it's where you wake up.
Thank you again. Yes there are quite a few dotted around. There is also a carpark at both ends of this track so a great place to go even if just to explore on foot or bike. Nice spot to stop just off the road going out north too...
Skewif
It’s not what you have, it's where you wake up.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/4...@44.521815,6.6067763,13.66z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0
Went E to W. Once above the tree line this was mostly first gear all the way up. Quite bumpy and narrow in a few places with exposed rocks poking up out the ground. It started to get more and more challenging higher up when at times it seemed rocks were coming at you from both sides and underneath all at the same time. I did find sections of this track mentally tiring. Even though I was going very slow the level of concentration needed was quite intense. So much scanning of whats coming up from far to near with lots of calculations working out if I can do it and how can I do it. But totally worth it!
On finding a place to pull over I got on the bike to see what lay ahead. Not far up was a tunnel (du Parpaillon) so while there I rode through to see where it goes and is it worth driving up to. The view out the other end was just wow and the track on the other side seemed easy by comparison. So yes it was.
I stayed 2 nights where I'd pulled off the track and loved every moment. It was really warm in the day, did nice walks / climbs with Boz (the dog), amazingly clear star filled night sky, great views and also interesting chatting to many of the 4x4ers and mountain bikers who stopped to take in the view.
Driving through the tunnel was quite a buzz too as have never come across such a long tunnel on a track before. Having cycled through it twice (without lights) a couple of days before I was also surprised to see all the icicles. The track down was relatively easy with some really nice places to camp. Will come again and explore further for sure. Then it was down to Lac de Serre-Poncon for a swim and a cosy warm nights sleep before starting the long but relaxed journey back home.
Went E to W. Once above the tree line this was mostly first gear all the way up. Quite bumpy and narrow in a few places with exposed rocks poking up out the ground. It started to get more and more challenging higher up when at times it seemed rocks were coming at you from both sides and underneath all at the same time. I did find sections of this track mentally tiring. Even though I was going very slow the level of concentration needed was quite intense. So much scanning of whats coming up from far to near with lots of calculations working out if I can do it and how can I do it. But totally worth it!
On finding a place to pull over I got on the bike to see what lay ahead. Not far up was a tunnel (du Parpaillon) so while there I rode through to see where it goes and is it worth driving up to. The view out the other end was just wow and the track on the other side seemed easy by comparison. So yes it was.
I stayed 2 nights where I'd pulled off the track and loved every moment. It was really warm in the day, did nice walks / climbs with Boz (the dog), amazingly clear star filled night sky, great views and also interesting chatting to many of the 4x4ers and mountain bikers who stopped to take in the view.
Driving through the tunnel was quite a buzz too as have never come across such a long tunnel on a track before. Having cycled through it twice (without lights) a couple of days before I was also surprised to see all the icicles. The track down was relatively easy with some really nice places to camp. Will come again and explore further for sure. Then it was down to Lac de Serre-Poncon for a swim and a cosy warm nights sleep before starting the long but relaxed journey back home.
bvddobb
Top Poster
VIP Member
And another .gpx-file:
M
marchugo
- Messages
- 480
As a 2 wheel driver I restrict myself to an impression of the Tunnel de Parpaillon on YT:
At the end of the clip it looks like falling off the earth.
Regards from Amsterdam,
Marc
At the end of the clip it looks like falling off the earth.
Regards from Amsterdam,
Marc
WillSS
2 seater beach
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Absolutely awesome Steve, incredible routes and photos!
Without doubt the best post I've seen on this forum, sums up exactly what the Cali is all about.
No wonder you want to beef your suspension a tadge!
Without doubt the best post I've seen on this forum, sums up exactly what the Cali is all about.
No wonder you want to beef your suspension a tadge!
Skewif
It’s not what you have, it's where you wake up.
Hey Marc, great find! Thank you for posting.
Wesel
I know this part of the mountain very well, and have crossed the Parpaillon tunnel on foot and by bike, but not yet in California.
What seems to me the most critical for California is not the crossing of the tunnel, but the climb to the Parpaillon coming from the South. Many very bad pebbles that have to be tiresome for the tires?
Skewif
It’s not what you have, it's where you wake up.
Hello Wesel, it was indeed challenging coming up from the South. A lots of loose rocks to avoid. Even got out a couple of times to move some out of the way. Did check my tyres before heading back on the fast roads and found a few small cuts to the tread but they were all all on the same tyre. It was also the tyre that has been wearing the quickest according to my last service at VW. Perhaps that one tyre comes from a different batch that was just a little on the soft side. Plan on fitting a harder compound next time to see if it helps.
Did get some surprise from the serious 4x4's who had treked all the way up the mountain only to find a Cali parked up the top with a BBQ on the go and me sipping wine with my feet up on a foot stool. Give it a go... just take it very slow. It'll be a memory never to be forgotten.
Skewif
It’s not what you have, it's where you wake up.
Thank you Will, So glad you enjoyed. Nice to know someone on here understands my needs
.
BALLANGER Fred
94 nights aboard...
Amazing !!!!
Skewif
It’s not what you have, it's where you wake up.
It was. You should try it. Merry Christmas to you and your kin.
kurienp
Super Poster
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LOL, that is so cool. I can visualise the looks on their faces.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
sbmcd
Top Poster
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Great post, love the photos, the Dolomites are stunning.
Actionwave
Novice California Owner
What a great place, where abouts can I find out the location of these types of roads / Tracks
Actionwave
Novice California Owner
Anthony1
Too young to be old
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piddi
So wild camping in Italy is cool? I know Switzerland and Slovenia is a total no go, cause I've been thrown away both places in the last couple of weeks In Slovenia the local police (or forest guard thing) was there no more than 10 minutes after I parked.
Skewif
It’s not what you have, it's where you wake up.
Have had problems wild camping in Switzerland also and Germany but never had any issue in France or Italy. I like remote places as far from others I can get and if not that remote I like to be well of the beaten track and out of sight. Feel it's all down to the kind of places you want to stay at. If trying to wild camp by a popular lake with camp sites dotted around during peak season one expects attention. I spend most of my time high up in the mountains exploring old military tracks. If that's your kind of thing I'm more than happy to share what I know.
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