A narrow road with 28 hairpin turns and 9 tunnels to Monte San Simeone
Italy, europe
11.1 km
1,208 m
extreme
Year-round
# Monte San Simeone: A Hidden Alpine Adventure
Tucked away in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region near the Slovenian border, Monte San Simeone sits at 1,208 meters in the southeastern Carnic Prealps. While it's not the tallest peak around, its isolation gives it serious character and jaw-dropping relative elevation changes.
The Strada del Monte San Simeone is absolutely not for the faint of heart. We're talking single-lane concrete (a bit weathered, honestly) with zero guardrails and a brutal 12% gradient in places. The 11.1 km climb from SP36 packs in 28 hairpin turns—including 9 through dark, unlit tunnels where you literally can't see what's coming. Seriously, bring your nerves.
What makes this road legendary is the sheer technical challenge combined with stunning rewards. Built just before WWI to reach a fortress, the route still winds past its crumbling remains. The sparse forest canopy offers blessed shade even on scorching days, and cyclists absolutely flock here for the 1,000+ meter elevation gain workout.
At the summit sits Chiesa San Simeone, a 13th-century church that's survived centuries of drama—including being completely destroyed in the 1976 earthquake. The views from the plateau? Absolutely worth every white-knuckle turn.
This is mandatory bucket-list material for anyone obsessed with twisty mountain roads. Just don't expect to pass anyone on the way up.
Where is it?
A narrow road with 28 hairpin turns and 9 tunnels to Monte San Simeone is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.4673, 12.8159
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 11.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,208 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 42.4673, 12.8159
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