Altopiano della Gardetta

The Altopiano della Gardetta, a geological and environmental heritage site in the province of Cuneo, still preserves the remains of paleosols pertaining to a seabed from prehistoric times. Fossil tracks and remains of prehistoric animals have also been found.
The plateau was already heavily militarised in the 18th century; the area was the scene of clashes between the Piedmontese and French armies in that century. At the end of the 19th century, the small barracks that today house the mountain hut were built on the plateau, together with the barracks of Rocca La Meja and Bandia, which constituted the westernmost fortifications of the defence line that started from Demonte and went up the Vallone dell'Arma. During the Second World War, the Gardetta plateau was an integral part of the so-called Western Alpine Wall.
The road network was then used by shepherds and local inhabitants. The landscape is nestled among beautiful peaks, such as the "dolomitic" Rocca d'la Meja.