An old military road to Colle Cologna
Italy, europe
100 km
2,394 m
hard
Year-round
Colle Cologna is a seriously impressive high mountain pass sitting pretty at 2,394m (7,854ft) above sea level in Italy's Province of Cuneo. Nestled in the Piedmont region, it's about 100 km southwest of Turin and 40 km west of Cuneo, right up near the French border in the northern part of the country.
This wild ride stretches roughly 23.5 km (14.60 miles) from Gias Bandia all the way up to Acceglio. Fair warning though – the road is completely unpaved and rough in spots. It's basically an old military track, which means you're in for a proper adventure. Think narrow sections, clouds of dust, hairpin turns, and some genuinely exposed drop-offs. Oh, and you'll pass some eerie abandoned military barracks along the way, which adds a whole atmospheric layer to the experience.
If you're after an off-the-beaten-path Alpine challenge that'll test your driving skills and reward you with some seriously remote scenery, this is absolutely worth adding to your bucket list.
Where is it?
An old military road to Colle Cologna is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 43.1960, 12.8301
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 100 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,394 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 43.1960, 12.8301
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere Is Côté Verbier-Les Savoleyres?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! Let's talk about the Verbier-Les Savoleyres route. Nestled high in the Swiss Alps, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking serious elevation here, so be prepared for some thin air! First things first: leave your sedan at home. This is a chairlift service road, so a 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. It's a decent length, taking you near the Col de la Croix de Coeur. Now, for the million-dollar question: is it worth it? Absolutely! The unpaved road winds its way up, treating you to views that'll make your jaw drop. Think panoramic vistas of snow-capped peaks and lush valleys. But a word of warning: this road is no joke. It's usually impassable from October to June. So, plan your trip accordingly. If you're chasing an unforgettable off-road experience with scenery that’s straight out of a postcard, Verbier-Les Savoleyres should definitely be on your list!
moderateIs the Vilyui Highway paved?
🌍 Russia
Okay, picture this: you're smack-dab in the middle of the Siberian wilderness, craving a real adventure. Then you find the Vilyui Highway! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. The Vilyui Highway is a mix of pavement and gravel that stretches through some seriously remote territory. You *can* do it in a normal car, but be warned: after a good rain, even a monster truck might think twice. Why "Vilyui"? Because you'll be paralleling and crisscrossing the Vilyui River the whole time! Prepare for multiple ferry crossings to make it across the mighty river! The journey begins in Yakutsk, the diamond capital, and winds its way to the remote town of Mirny. You'll pass some stunning scenery, guaranteed, but keep your eyes peeled!
extremeWhere is Colle di Sampeyre?
🇮🇹 Italy
Colle di Sampeyre is a seriously high mountain pass in the Province of Cuneo, up in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. We're talking serious altitude here. It's one of the highest paved passes you'll find in the Cottian Alps, and it's famous for its crazy steep drops and mind-blowing alpine scenery. Think of it as a high-altitude doorway between the Varaita and Maira valleys. The very top is where the paved road meets up with that legendary unpaved ridge road, the Strada dei Cannoni. Okay, so the road to the summit is paved, following the Strada Provinciale 335 (SP335). But don't get complacent! This road is wild. The climb is 16 km with an average gradient that kicks up to some serious maximum ramps. The road is super narrow, mostly a single lane, and considered dangerous. Think gaps in the asphalt and unprotected drops of hundreds of meters. Guardrails? Forget about it. For the final 6 km, you leave the trees behind and drive through high-altitude meadows, often going straight into the clouds. The whole stretch is about 33.6 km (20.87 miles) long, running from south to north. The descent towards Sampeyre is a real test, with steepness and a deteriorating road surface. But the views? Absolutely worth it. From the summit, you get a full 360-degree panorama of the deep valleys below. It's tough, it's beautiful, and it's made cycling history, featuring in the Giro d'Italia multiple times. This is a stairway to heaven for experienced drivers and cyclists looking for a serious high-altitude challenge, far from the tourist hordes.
hardWhen was the Zillertaler Höhenstraße built?
🇦🇹 Austria
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Zillertaler Höhenstraße in Tyrol, Austria. This isn't just any road; it's a 50 km (31 mile) stretch of pure Alpine bliss, originally built back in '63 to help farmers tend their pastures. Now, it's open to everyone, and trust me, you want in on this. You can hop on from five different spots: Ried, Kaltenbach, Aschau, Zellberg, and Hippach. Just a heads up, this beauty is a toll road, and you can usually hit it up between mid-May and late October, snow permitting. Heads up, though, it's not for the faint of heart! We're talking hairpin turns, some seriously narrow bits, and a maximum gradient of 20% in places. The road climbs to Arbisjochkopf, sitting pretty at 2,133m (6,998ft) above sea level, giving you a total altitude gain of 1,400m. Forget about speeding; with all those blind corners, you'll want to take it slow and savor the insane views of the Zillertal Alps. Seriously, this road is an absolute blast to drive.