An epic road to Colle delle Finestre in the Italian Alps
Italy, europe
7.9 km
2,203 m
moderate
Year-round
# Colle delle Finestre: A Classic Alpine Adventure
Ready to tackle one of the Alps' most legendary climbs? Welcome to Colle delle Finestre, a stunning 2,203-meter (7,227ft) mountain pass nestled in Piemonte's Cottian Alps. This beauty connects the Susa Valley and Val Chisone in northern Italy, and trust us—it's worth every kilometer.
The road, officially called Strada Provinciale 172, is a thrilling 34.3 km (21.31 miles) journey that'll test your driving skills with 45 seriously wicked hairpin turns. Most of it's paved, but heads up: the final 7.9 km (4.9 miles) from Susa turns to gravel. That's actually the historic military section, built around 1700 to access the fortress network in the area, including the impressive Forte di Fenestrelle.
The climb is no joke. Choose your route: from Depot, it's a 16 km ascent gaining 1,125 meters (average 7% gradient), or tackle the gnarlier 18.62 km push from Susa with 1,694 meters of elevation gain (9.1% average). That maximum 16.5% gradient? Yeah, it's steep. But here's the thing—it's the relentless distance and consistent incline that makes this a true Alpine challenge, not just the gravel section.
This pass has serious cycling pedigree, having featured in the Giro d'Italia. The views of the surrounding mountain ranges are absolutely magnificent, making it a favorite for both cyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts. Fair warning though: summer traffic can take a toll on the road conditions.
Plan your visit between June and October when the pass is typically open. Get ready for an unforgettable Alpine experience.
Where is it?
An epic road to Colle delle Finestre in the Italian Alps is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 41.7519, 12.4642
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 7.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,203 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 41.7519, 12.4642
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