The Stella Alpina Rally, officially named the Stella Alpina Motociclistica Internazionale, is an annual meet and trail ride up the Colle del Sommeiller in Bardonecchia, Italy. It offers the highest possible off-road track in the Alps at 3,009 metres (around 9,872 feet) and has taken place every year since 1966.
The date for your diaries is the second Sunday in July. In the days leading up to 'the Stella', Bardonecchia starts to fill with bikes. There's nothing quite like arriving in town to the buzzing atmosphere of fellow riders from all over with a shared interest and mission.
For some, the idea of riding on an unsurfaced track may seem daunting, however the track is reasonably negotiable and you will often see a wide variety of bikes riding the Stella, not just adventure and trail bikes.
Head over to the FAQs page for more details on what to expect.
The next Stella Alpina Rally:
Sunday 9th July 2023
This update was for the 2022 Stella. A new message with the up-to-date information on the toll and the Blessing will be published here closer to July 2023.
The following update has been shared by Alberto Borello who organises and mans the rally control point on the mountain each year:
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The Bardonecchia Municipal Council has introduced a toll on the road from Rochemolles to Colle del Sommeiller (ie. the Stella Alpina Rally track) with a daily cost of 8 euros per motorised vehicle.
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Contrary to what was previously communicated on social media, a flat rate for the four days (Friday to Monday) has NOT been established for those who want to camp at the Rifugio Scarfiotti plateau site; therefore anyone camping on the mountain and riding down into the town will have to pay for a ticket for each day they ride on/off the mountain.
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PLEASE NOTE that the track will be closed for the full 24 hours on Thursday, 7th July, so anyone wishing to arrive on Thursday and place their tent in the Rochemolles Valley will not be able to do so and will have to either arrive on the Wednesday or postpone to the Friday.
THE BLESSING OF THE MOTORCYCLES
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The blessing of the motorcycles ceremony will take place as in previous years in front of the parish church of Sant'Ippolito in Borgo Vecchio at 5pm on the Saturday.
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This tradition dates back many years and serves also to remember Mario Artusio, the founder of the 'Stella Alpina Motociclistica Internazionale'; consequently, a good turnout would be appreciated
