
A narrow paved road to Colle Melosa
Italy, europe
28.1 km
1,540 m
hard
Year-round
# Colle Melosa: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure
Ready for a seriously winding mountain experience? Colle Melosa is a stunning high-altitude pass sitting at 1,540m (5,052ft) in Italy's Province of Imperia, tucked into the gorgeous Liguria region right up against the French border. It's nestled within the Parco Naturale Regionale delle Alpi Liguri, near the imposing Monte Grai.
The drive itself is no joke—Strada Provinciale 67 (SP67) dishes out hairpin turn after hairpin turn as you climb. The road is completely paved, which is great, but those grades are genuinely punchy, with some sections hitting a brutal 11.0% gradient. This is a 28.1 km (17.46 miles) stretch that starts from Colle Langan on the SP65 and winds its way up to Realdo, so you're in for a proper alpine adventure.
The payoff? When you finally reach the summit, there's a welcoming restaurant and mountain hut waiting for you. Perfect for catching your breath and soaking in those incredible mountain views while refueling. Whether you're a hardcore driving enthusiast or just someone who loves the thrill of a properly challenging mountain road, Colle Melosa delivers the goods.
Where is it?
A narrow paved road to Colle Melosa is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 43.1508, 13.6160
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 28.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,540 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 43.1508, 13.6160
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