Alpe Vieille
Italy, europe
N/A
2,240 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Italy's Valle d’Aosta, ready for an adventure. Alpe Vieille is calling your name, a mountain pass way up at 2,240 meters (that's over 7,300 feet!).
This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking gravel roads – narrow, steep, and guaranteed to give your suspension a workout. It's an old military road, so you'll pass some seriously cool historic sites, like old barracks and an abandoned village. The views? Absolutely insane. Just a heads up, though, this road is usually snowed in during the winter, so plan accordingly!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,240 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Sela de Culac?
🇮🇹 Italy
Cruising through South Tyrol? You HAVE to check out Sela de Culac, also known as Sella del Culaç or Kulatsch Satte! This epic mountain pass sits pretty high at 2,020m (6,627ft) in the Dolomites, west of , in Val Gardena. The road itself? Totally paved – it's part of Strada Statale 243 (SS243). Get ready for some seriously steep climbs, though, with gradients hitting a punchy 11% in places! This beauty was first carved out during World War I, and got its full road treatment in 1960. Keep an eye out for cyclists – especially since this route's been featured in the legendary Giro d’Italia. The pass stretches for 15 km (9.32 miles) from Plan De Gralba to Colfosco. Heads up: there are rock slide areas, and it gets bustling with tourists, bikers, and cyclists in the summer months. But is it worth the hype? Absolutely! The views are insane, with the mighty Sasslong / Sassolungo looming in the background. Seriously, you're talking postcard-perfect Dolomite Alps scenery. At the top, you'll find Hotel Chalet Gerard, plus a parking spot to soak it all in. Trust me, this drive is unforgettable.
extremeWhere is the road from Val Thorens to Orelle in France?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps, specifically the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, on an epic adventure from Val Thorens to Orelle. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks! This is one of Europe's highest roads, peaking at a staggering 3,007 meters (9,865 feet). Located in the Tarentaise Valley, this isn't a quick trip; it's a 28.3 km (17.58 miles) unpaved beast of a road, originally a ski-lift service route connecting Val Thorens (Europe's highest ski resort) with the village of Orelle. Get ready for 55 hairpin turns that will test your driving skills, each one numbered so you know exactly how much excitement awaits. Open usually only in July and August, weather permitting, this road isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking 4x4 territory here. You'll be following the chairlift's path, sometimes passing right underneath it. The gradient averages 10.4%, but some corners ramp up to 17-18%! Prepare for seriously stunning panoramic views of countless peaks across France, Switzerland, and Italy. But remember, this road is raw and untamed. No guardrails, no painted lines, just you, your vehicle, and some seriously dramatic cliffs. It’s an intense, unforgettable drive.
moderateTravel Guide to Rifugio Prarayer
🇮🇹 Italy
# Prarayer Hut: A Hidden Alpine Gem Nestled high in the Italian Alps at 2,005 meters (6,578 feet), Prarayer Hut is a mountain refuge that feels like it belongs in another world. Located in Aosta Valley's stunning upper Bionaz valley, this place is seriously off the beaten path. Getting there is half the adventure—and we mean that literally. The entire 4.7 km route is completely unpaved, and you'll absolutely need a 4x4 vehicle to make it. Fair warning: private cars aren't allowed on this road, and it's only open for a few weeks during the summer months, so timing is everything if you want to make the trip. Starting from Parkplatz Lago di Place Moulin, the road hugs the northern shore of Place Moulin lake and honestly? It's jaw-dropping. You're driving through a landscape straight out of a postcard—towering mountains, ancient glaciers, dense forests, rushing torrents, and alpine lakes surround you at every turn. It's the kind of scenery that makes you pull over constantly just to take it all in. This isn't a casual Sunday drive, but if you've got the right vehicle and the spirit of adventure, the payoff is absolutely worth it.
moderateWhere is Colle dell'Assietta?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Let me tell you about Colle dell'Assietta, a seriously epic mountain pass chilling at 2,472m (that's 8,110ft!) in the Turin area of Italy. You'll find this gem nestled in the Piedmont region, up north, as one of the many passes on the SP173 between Susa and Sestriere in the western Italian Alps. Now, fair warning: the road to the top is all gravel, baby! It's an old military road hugging the ridge from Pian dell’Alpe to Sestriere. We're talking a 30 km/h speed limit, no passing, and parking only in designated spots. It can be a bit rocky and rough, especially on the turns, but totally doable! Important note: this beauty is only open from June 1st to October 31st, so plan your trip accordingly!