An old military road to Dordona Pass

An old military road to Dordona Pass

Italy, europe

Length

21.5 km

Elevation

2,074 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Passo di Dordona: Alpine Adventure Awaits

Ready for a proper mountain adventure? Head to the Province of Bergamo in Lombardy, Italy, where Passo di Dordona sits pretty at 2,074m (6,804ft) above sea level. This high-altitude pass is your gateway between the stunning upper Val Brembana and Val Madre valleys.

Fair warning: this isn't your typical paved highway. The 21.5 km (13.35 miles) route—officially called Strada del Passo Dordona and Strada della Val Madre—runs entirely on unpaved terrain from Foppolo to Fusine, so you'll definitely need a sturdy 4x4 vehicle. Since the road only opened to traffic in 2003, it's still pretty raw and rugged. Watch out for loose gravel, especially on the steeper sections that can reach gradients of up to 13%. The narrow track demands respect and careful driving.

What you'll get in return? Absolutely breathtaking high alpine scenery that'll make the bumpy ride worth every second. Stop by Rifugio Dordona near the summit for refreshments, or explore the fascinating WWI military structures dotted along the route. The cherry on top? A tunnel carved right into the rock at the pass itself, which leads to an observatory with panoramic views across Val Madre that'll take your breath away.

Just remember: winter and heavy rain make this pass completely impassable, so plan accordingly. A small 3-euro license gets you access to this hidden gem. Ready to tackle it?

Where is it?

An old military road to Dordona Pass is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.5148, 13.0152

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
21.5 km
Max Elevation
2,074 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
42.5148, 13.0152

Related Roads in europe

Travel guide to the top of Col des Embrasuresmoderate

Travel guide to the top of Col des Embrasures

🇫🇷 France

# Col des Embrasures Want to experience something truly wild? Head to the Savoie department in southeastern France, where you'll find Col des Embrasures perched at a jaw-dropping 2,305 meters (7,562 feet) in the Cottian Alps, practically on the doorstep of Italy. Here's the deal: this isn't your typical paved mountain pass. The route is an old military track, completely unpaved and absolutely brutal in winter when snow shuts it down entirely. Seriously, this is 4x4 and Enduro bike territory only, and after heavy rain, you can forget about access altogether. But if conditions are right? The ride is genuinely rewarding with absolutely stunning alpine views. The real draw is Le Fort de la Redoute waiting at the summit. Built way back in 1630 by the House of Savoy, it originally went by the name Fort Traverset. When France absorbed Savoy in 1860, they weren't taking chances with their Italian neighbors—a brand new fort went up in 1892 as a defensive stronghold. Fast forward to World War II, and this strategic border position became the scene of intense fighting. Today, the fort is off-limits due to structural concerns, but the history saturating this place is palpable. The steep, narrow climb rewards you with incredible scenery and centuries of European history. This one's definitely for the adventurous types who appreciate both a challenging route and a good story.

Where is Passo della Mulattiera?hard

Where is Passo della Mulattiera?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Let's talk about Passo della Mulattiera, a crazy high mountain pass chilling at 2,412 meters (7,913 feet) in the Turin province of Italy's Piedmont region. You'll find this gem nestled near the French border, right by Bardonecchia in the Susa Valley. Getting there? Buckle up, because the road is unpaved, rocky, and seriously narrow. Think old military road turned mule track – built way back in 1939, and ending right at the pass. You can kick things off in Bardonecchia, winding through Mount Colomion, or hop on midway from Beaulard. Is it worth it? Absolutely! At the top, you'll stumble upon a massive barrack ruin. Plus, this trail cruises through seriously remote areas, so come prepared! Perched just below the stunning Punta Charra cliff (2,844 m), south of Bardonecchia, you're treated to killer panoramic views. We're talking the Valle Stretta (Vallée Étroite in French), and all the surrounding mountains of the Bardonecchia, Beaulard, and Oulx valleys. Trust me, the views are worth the white-knuckle drive!

Collet des Michelshard

Collet des Michels

🇫🇷 France

Okay, buckle up, road trippers! Let's talk about Collet des Michels, a seriously sweet mountain pass tucked away in the Hautes-Alpes region of southeastern France. You'll be climbing to about 3,018 feet (920m) above sea level, so get ready for some views! The D226, as it's known, is your asphalt ribbon to adventure, connecting the charming towns of Montjay in the south and L'Epine up north. Now, heads up – this route is paved, but it's not messing around. Expect some pretty steep sections that'll have your engine working and your heart pumping. But trust me, the scenery along the way is totally worth it!

Where is Los Machucos?extreme

Where is Los Machucos?

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because Los Machucos in Cantabria, Spain is a LEG BURNER! This insane mountain pass climbs to 880m (2,887ft) and trust me, you'll feel every. single. meter. We're talking northern Spain, east of... well, you'll figure it out when you see it looming. The Vuelta a España bike race has tackled this beast, so you KNOW it's hardcore. The road *is* paved, mostly, but those super steep sections are concrete. Think grippy, but also relentlessly unforgiving. Built in the early 2000s, you can usually access it year-round, but watch out for winter closures. Those Cantabrian Mountains can get nasty! Clocking in at 14.1km (8.76 miles) between San Roque de Riomiera and Bustablado, it's a decent haul, but those gradients...whew! And the reward? Besides bragging rights? A giant metal cow sculpture called Monumento a la Vaca Pasiega! Perched high in the Cantabrian Mountains, it's the perfect quirky photo op after you’ve conquered this climb. Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery as you grind your way up!