Colle del Nivolet, Ceresole Reale

The Italian job bus on a Clif scene was filmed here

It is an alpine pass located in the Graian Alps at an altitude of 2612 m asl between the Orco Valley (Piedmont) and the Valsavarenche (Aosta Valley), within the protected area of ​​the Gran Paradiso National Park. It is easily accessible by car in the summer, while in the winter / spring the road that leads to it is not cleared of snow. (With a special ordinance along the SP del Colle del Nivolet there is a ban on transit in the stretch between the Borgata Chiapili di Sopra and the Colle del Nivolet for the period 15.10 and 15.05 of each year). It is a destination for astronomy enthusiasts as it is one of the few driveways at high altitude completely free of light pollution due to street lights or for civil use. Access to the hill is possible using the SSP 460 for Ceresole Reale (TO). Continuing beyond the town of Ceresole, the road winds for about twenty kilometers that lead you to climb for a thousand meters in altitude up to the hill, very closely along two artificial lakes (Serrù and Agnel lakes) used for the production of electricity. . The road passes over the hill and stops shortly after the Albergo Savoia Refuge, on the Valle d'Aosta side. The Nivolet area is characterized by a vast prairie dotted with numerous ponds and peat bogs and crossed by the Dora del Nivolet and is famous for its pristine alpine lakes. From the faunal point of view, chamois, ibex, marmots and various species of amphibians and birds can be observed.