Unimog Club Italia Outing

Cross-Border Commuters in Piedmont: A Visit to the Unimog Club Italy

Once a year, the Unimog Club Italy invites members to its traditional annual outing—an invitation that several club members were happy to accept at the end of June. The town of Oulx in the upper Susa Valley (Piedmont) served as the base camp for the long weekend. A practical bonus: A local forestry fair was taking place on the grounds at the same time, which provided some variety right from the start.

Saturday, June 27: In the “Mondberge”

The driving program kicked off on Saturday with a tour of the Monti della Luna. This alpine region in the province of Turin truly lives up to its name: The landscape is characterized by light-colored rock and barren formations that strongly resemble the surface of the moon. The challenging mountain trails provided the perfect setting to put our vehicles’ off-road capabilities to the test and rewarded participants with breathtaking panoramic views.

Sunday, June 28: History of Technology at Fort Bramafam

Sunday morning was all about history. Our destination was Forte Bramafam, a fortification once built by Italy to secure the strategically important Fréjus Tunnel against France. As the motto reads: “Dei Sacri Confini Guardia Sicura”—in English: “The Secure Guard of the Sacred Borders.” Fortunately, the fortress was never put to use.

The guided tour vividly illustrated just how rapidly military technology advanced at the end of the 19th century: No sooner had the fortress been completed than it was already technically obsolete due to the invention of more modern artillery and more powerful ammunition. Today, the complex houses a detailed and fascinating collection of historical uniforms, weapons, and military artifacts.

We also saw a great example of Italian ingenuity here. A unique exhibit. Not a Unimog, but still very interesting.

Monday, June 29: The finale on the Assietta

Although the official event ended on Sunday, a special activity awaited the remaining crews on Monday. Together, they tackled a short section of the famous Strada dell’Assietta. The unpaved, high-alpine military road certainly demanded some skill from the vehicles and drivers on its gravel sections and once again offered off-road driving in its purest form.

In addition, we were able to recruit three new club members.

Conclusion

We’ve just returned from a superbly organized trip with the Italian Unimog enthusiasts. Beyond the scenery, the regional culinary specialties, and the camaraderie, one thing stands out above all else: A tour like this on unpaved, high-alpine trails is not feasible in this form in either Germany or Switzerland. A heartfelt thank you goes to Alessandro, Fabio, and their crew for this wonderful weekend.