The highest breches and cols are to be found in the North. (if you are planning to do the route whilst there is snow on the ground, you should be equipped and prepared for mountaineering. You will need a rope, crampons, snow shoes etc. This is a completely different challenge and requires some very specific skills)
Southern difficulty - In the South the most exposed part of the trail is between Bocca l'Agnone to Usciolu refuge and then Prati. The ridge is high, exposed and long. You are flirting with an altitude of 2000m, it ondulates and is a bit technical. In good weather conditions, the ridge is an absolute pleasure that offers wonderous scenery. However, in high winds and snow it is a completely different scenario.
Northern difficulty - Rather than long ridge walks, the difficulty in the North is high ridges/breches and plunging rocky descents. Since the seemingly permanent closure of the Cirque of Solitude, the highest part of the trail is situated on the Monte Cinto ridge at 2600m between the accommodations of Haut Asco and Tighiettu. If you want to do the entire trek you need to take into account your start date to make sure you are not traversing the ridge when there is snow.
