A challenging old military road to Cima Marta

A challenging old military road to Cima Marta

France, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,138 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Cima Marta: A High-Alpine Adventure

Looking for an off-the-beaten-path mountain experience? Cima Marta—also called Cime de Marta—is a stunning high mountain pass sitting at 2,138 meters (7,014 feet) in the French Ligurian Alps, right near the Italian border.

This isn't your typical paved highway. The entire route is unpaved, seriously steep, and narrow—the kind of road that demands respect and attention. Winter? Forget about it. Snow and ice make this pass completely impassable during the cold months. That's because this is no ordinary mountain road; it's an old military thoroughfare with serious character.

When you finally reach the summit, you'll discover Balconi di Marta, a fascinating military fortress that crowns the peak. Pretty cool views of history and landscape combined!

Fair warning though: the road was recently closed to motor vehicles, so if you're planning to tackle this route, check local conditions first. But if you can access it on foot or bike, the dramatic alpine scenery makes the effort absolutely worthwhile.

Where is it?

A challenging old military road to Cima Marta is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 47.6735, 1.1410

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,138 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
47.6735, 1.1410

Related Roads in europe

What is the MP-203?moderate

What is the MP-203?

🇪🇸 Spain

Have you ever heard of ? These are large projects that were planned for a specific purpose, cost a lot of money, but for some reason never saw use. In Madrid, one of these abandoned works exists: the , a ghost highway where The MP-203, now renamed , was designed as a new highway connecting . Construction began in with the ambitious goal of easing congestion on the A-2, one of Madrid’s busiest access roads. The project stretched for 12.5 kilometers of perfectly paved asphalt , yet to this day it remains almost entirely unused. Only cyclists and locals jogging occasionally traverse its empty lanes. Why is the MP-203 abandoned? but never fulfilled its intended function. Construction stopped abruptly in , only two years after starting. According to the Ecologist Association of Jarama , the MP-203 is an example of “ mismanagement of territory by the Community of Madrid ,” and the road even lacked proper construction licenses. What has the MP-203 been used for? Despite being officially abandoned, the MP-203 has found other purposes. It has served as a , and even been a route for . For the residents of Alcalá de Henares, the road became a symbol of waste and inefficiency , a highway that was fully built but never used by vehicles. Is the MP-203 going to open? The regional government is now considering resurrecting the highway , connecting the A-2 with the R-3 and the M-50 to improve traffic flow. After nearly 20 years of abandonment , the ghost highway may finally see official traffic. Until then, it remains a unique curiosity and a reminder of Madrid’s forgotten infrastructure projects A wild steep road to Alto de Hazallanas in Andalusia Road trip guide: Conquering Collado El Lobo in Sierra Nevada Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Where is Monte Ologno?extreme

Where is Monte Ologno?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, picture this: you're in Piedmont, Italy, near the oh-so-dreamy Lago Maggiore. You're about to tackle Monte Ologno, a mountain pass that's become a bit of a legend, especially after *that* cycling event put it on the map. This climb isn't playing around. Situated in the northwestern part of Italy, overlooking the western shores of Lago Maggiore, it's a 10.4 km (6.4 miles) sprint straight up offering views for days. Think shimmering water and those stunning Prealpine peaks—seriously, bring your camera! It's nestled near the Swiss border, winding through birch and chestnut forests. Talk about an amazing backdrop. Now, about the road itself: it's paved, but don't expect smooth sailing. "Tricky and technical" is an understatement. The asphalt's a bit rough around the edges, and the road is SKINNY. Like, barely-one-car-wide skinny. Passing? Get ready for some serious maneuvering. And those hairpins? Let's just say you'll want to keep your wits about you, especially since guardrails are a bit scarce. The kicker? The relentless climb. We're talking a constant 9% average gradient for the entire 10.4 kilometers. There's barely any let-up, with a 13% section hitting you right out of the gate. Brutal, right? Those tight hairpins will keep you on your toes, and the lack of any flat sections means your engine (and your legs, if you're cycling!) won't catch a break. The descent is no joke either. Because it's so steep and narrow, engine braking is your best friend to prevent brake fade. The weather can be a wildcard, too. Being so close to the lake, mist and damp conditions can roll in quickly, making the asphalt slick. Bottom line: Monte Ologno is a challenge. It's an intense ride, a true test of skill, with some of the best views over the Italian Alps. Just remember to stay focused, use those low gears, and be prepared for a wild ride!

Col des Anieshard

Col des Anies

🇫🇷 France

Okay, so Col des Anies is a real hidden gem way up in the French Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. We're talking a whopping 2,134m (that's 7,001ft!) above sea level! Now, heads up, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The "road" to the top is more of a chairlift access trail – think gravel, rocks, and a whole lotta bumpy fun. It’s usually a no-go zone from October to June, thanks to the weather. Seriously, this one's for experienced off-roaders only, and you absolutely need a 4x4 to tackle it. And if you're not a fan of heights... maybe skip this one. Expect some pretty steep climbs along the way, but the views? Totally worth it!

Gorges du Loup is a balcony road in Francehard

Gorges du Loup is a balcony road in France

🇫🇷 France

# Gorges du Loup (Wolf Gorge) Just 15 minutes north of Grasse in the French Riviera, you'll find one of France's most iconic "balcony roads" – the Gorges du Loup. This stunning river canyon sits tucked into the Audibergue mountain range in the Alpes-Maritimes, and it's absolutely worth the drive. The fully paved D6 winds through 5.7 km of pure drama. The narrow river canyon carves north-south through the hills beneath Gourdon, creating one of those landscapes that makes you understand why people fall in love with the French countryside. Expect the road to be cut right into the rocky cliffs with tunnels, hairpin turns, tight bends, and blind curves keeping you on your toes – this one's really best tackled by confident drivers. Fair warning: parking spots are pretty sparse, so patience is key. What makes it magical? The cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear pools dotting the gorge, plus the dramatic limestone cliffs rising up on all sides. You'll spot several impressive natural high jumps where locals (and brave tourists) take a plunge into the frigid water. If you want to extend your adventure, the Plateau de Caussols is an easy detour offering a steep, challenging climb to its famous white radar ball – you'll be rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views that make for the perfect counterpoint to the deep canyon below.