Monte Jafferau, Mountain summit in Piedmont, Italy

Monte Jafferau is an alpine summit in Piedmont that rises to about 2,800 meters and features steep mountainsides. Access follows a mountain road with numerous hairpin turns climbing toward the plateau at the top.

The Forte dello Jafferau on the summit was built in the 19th century and formed part of the so-called Opera di Bardonecchia, a system of artillery positions. It ranks among the highest fortifications of the Cottian Alps, surpassed in altitude only by the works on Monte Chaberton. A carriage road opened in 1951 now leads up to the reservoirs at about 1,900 m.

The summit fort, built at the end of the 19th century, was part of the Vallo Alpino defensive line and is one of the highest fortifications in the Cottische Alps, surpassed in altitude only by Monte Chaberton. The mountain is also a regular finish for the Giro d'Italia: Eddy Merckx won here in 1972, Vincenzo Nibali was awarded the 2013 stage after Mauro Santambrogio's disqualification, and Chris Froome won in 2018 after an 80-kilometre breakaway from the Colle delle Finestre.

A dirt mountain road leads to the summit and needs high-clearance vehicles, especially in wet weather. The best visiting season runs from May through October when the road is passable.

The summit fort is one of the highest fortifications in the Cottische Alps, surpassed in altitude only by the fort on Monte Chaberton. It formed part of the so-called Opera di Bardonecchia, built for artillery positions. The mountain also hosted three Giro d'Italia stage finishes: Eddy Merckx won in 1972, Vincenzo Nibali was awarded the 2013 stage after Mauro Santambrogio's EPO disqualification, and Chris Froome won in 2018 after an 80-kilometre breakaway from the Colle delle Finestre.