An old military road to Marchkinkele - Cometto di Confine
Italy, europe
20 km
2,545 m
hard
Year-round
# Marchkinkele - Cometto di Confine: A Wild Alpine Adventure
Ready for some serious high-altitude driving? Marchkinkele, aka Cometto di Confine, sits pretty at 2,545m (8,349ft) on the Austria-Italy border—and it's a beast to reach. This peak marks the southern edge of the Villgraten Mountains, nestled within the stunning Tre Cime Natural Park where the Autonomous Province of Bolzano meets Austria's Lienz district.
The real story here? This place has serious character. Back in the 1930s, military installations went up across the summit, and you can still spot the old fortifications dotting the landscape. These days, a cozy mountain hut called Marchhütte sits just below the peak on the sunny side, offering killer views of the Sesto and Braies Dolomites—perfect for refueling after your drive.
Now, let's talk logistics. The Italian approach from Innichen (San Candido) is where things get gnarly. This 20km (12-mile) route is pure unimproved military road—think loose rocks, sketchy narrow sections, and some genuinely steep pitches. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 to handle it. The Austrian side? That's hiking territory only.
Winter? Fuggedaboutit. This elevation means the road regularly becomes impassable once snow arrives. Come summer, though, and you've got yourself one serious off-road challenge with some of Europe's most dramatic alpine scenery as your reward.
Where is it?
An old military road to Marchkinkele - Cometto di Confine is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 40.9283, 13.0973
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 20 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,545 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.9283, 13.0973
Related Roads in europe
hardThe road to Kehlsteinhaus, a teahouse for Adolf Hitler’s 50th birthday
🇩🇪 Germany
# Eagle's Nest Road: A Mountain Marvel in the Bavarian Alps Nestled high in Bavaria's Berchtesgaden Alps sits the Kehlsteinhaus—or Eagle's Nest, as it's commonly known. This historic chalet perches at a stunning 1,685m (5,528ft) above sea level on the Obersalzberg Mountain in southeastern Germany, and getting there is half the adventure. Built in 1938 as a 50th birthday gift for Adolf Hitler, the building has since been transformed into a restaurant and tourist hotspot with absolutely jaw-dropping panoramic views. These days, visitors flock here during summer months (typically mid-May through October) to soak in the scenery and the historical significance of this alpine retreat. The real star of the show, though? The Kehlsteinstrasse road itself. This engineering masterpiece was blasted straight out of solid rock in just 13 months—seriously, only 13 months to carve 6.5km (4.03 miles) of paved perfection through the mountainside. The road climbs an insane 736m in elevation with an average gradient of 11.32%, peaking at a white-knuckle 24% on some sections. You'll navigate through 5 tunnels and 5 hairpin turns as you ascend the steep northwest face of Kehlstein mountain. In 1952, the road closed to regular traffic and was replaced by a special mountain bus service—a decision that's proven wise given the extreme conditions. The final ascent to the chalet actually requires taking an elevator blasted through the rock. Before each season opens, crews meticulously clean the rock walls to prevent dangerous rockfall. It's one of Germany's highest roads and a genuine architectural wonder.
hardHow Many Tunnels Are There in Iceland?
🇮🇸 Iceland
# Iceland's Amazing Tunnel Network: A Underground Road Trip Want to experience some truly unique driving? Iceland's got you covered with 14 incredible road tunnels that'll make your journey unforgettable. Built since the 1960s, these tunnels have completely transformed how people get around the country—think less time stuck behind scenic overlooks and more time actually exploring them! ## The Big Players **Héðinsfjarðargöng** is the showstopper—an 11-kilometer monster that opened in 2010. It connects Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður up in North Iceland near Akureyri, and here's the cool part: it actually dips down through Héðinsfjörður before continuing on. Best of all? It's completely free. **Breiðadals tunnel** out in the Westfjords is a trip in the best way possible. This 9.12-kilometer beauty (opened in 1996) has something you won't find anywhere else—an underground crossroad! You might actually encounter traffic from Suðureyri while you're driving through, which sounds chaotic but works surprisingly well thanks to plenty of passing spots. The tunnel switches between two lanes and single lanes depending on the section. Head north of Ísafjörður and you'll find another 2010 gem—a straightforward 5.4-kilometer two-lane tunnel with great lighting that whisks you from Ísafjörður to Bolungarvík. ## The Classics **Arnardalshamar** holds the crown as Iceland's first tunnel. This tiny 30-meter pioneer sits between Ísafjörður and Súðavík and marks the beginning of the country's tunnel era. **Strákagöng** opened way back in 1967 and is just 800 meters of single-lane goodness in northern Iceland. Fair warning: you'll need to follow local single-lane etiquette here. ## The Workhorses **Múlagöng** (3.4 km, opened 1990) connects Dalvík and Ólafsfjörður as a single-lane tunnel with passing areas to keep things flowing. **Hvalfjörður tunnel** deserves its fame. Just 30 kilometers north of Reykjavík on the Ring Road, this 5.7-kilometer tunnel burrows 165 meters below sea level—making it one of the world's deepest sea tunnels. Before it opened in 1998, the drive took an hour longer. Now? Seven minutes flat. And since 2018, it's free to use! **Norðfjarðargöng** (7.5 kilometers, near Eskifjörður) is the modern replacement for the older Oddsskarð tunnel, offering safer, smoother driving through the area. ## The New Wave **Fáskrúðsfjarðargöng** (5.9 km, opened 2005) provides two-way lanes to connect Eastfjords communities with ease. **Almannaskarð** (1.3 km, opened 2005) might be short, but it's a game-changer—it finally gave people a safe route between south and east Iceland, replacing those sketchy mountain passes everyone used to dread. Ready to tunnel through Iceland?
hardVal Thorens: One of the Longest and Biggest Climbs in France
🇫🇷 France
Val Thorens is a ski resort perched at a seriously impressive 2,300m (7,545ft) above sea level in the Savoie department of southeastern France. You'll find it nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, deep in the Tarentaise Valley, and it's the gateway to one of Europe's most legendary drives—the road to Orelle. The D117 is absolutely wild. This narrow, paved route climbs all the way up to 3,007m (9,865ft), making it one of the highest roads on the continent. What makes it truly thrilling? Tight hairpin turns, a bumpy surface, and—here's the kicker—zero guard rails in some sections. It's the kind of road that gets your adrenaline pumping. Val Thorens holds the title of Europe's highest ski resort, and it's been a star of the Tour de France for good reason. The climbing route starting from Moutiers (old-school name: Tarentaise) is genuinely epic: 36.5km (22.68 miles) of pure alpine challenge featuring 20 hairpin turns. You're looking at a 1,807-meter elevation gain with an average gradient of about 5%—definitely not a casual cruise. Whether you're a cyclist, road tripper, or thrill-seeker, this corner of the French Alps delivers some seriously unforgettable scenery and driving.
hardChaz-Dura
🇮🇹 Italy
# Chaz-Dura: Italy's Alpine Adventure Ready for a serious mountain challenge? Chaz-Dura sits pretty at 2,560 meters (8,398 feet) in Italy's Aosta Valley, and getting to the top is no casual Sunday drive. This is pure high-altitude terrain—gravel, bumpy, and unforgiving. We're talking steep switchbacks that'll make your hands grip the steering wheel a little tighter, narrow passages that demand respect, and a surface that's seen better days. Seriously, this route is only for hardcore 4x4 enthusiasts. The trail gets hammered by weather, leaving ruts and washboard sections that'll test both your vehicle and your nerve. Oh, and timing matters. The road basically shuts down from September through June thanks to heavy snow coverage, so you're looking at a pretty tight summer window to attempt this beast. What's it used for? Mainly maintenance access for the ski lifts and mountain lodges up there. But don't let that fool you—this is legitimately one of Italy's highest drivable roads, making it a bucket-list kind of experience for adventurous drivers willing to push their limits. The scenery? Alpine brilliance all the way. Just come prepared, come in summer, and come with a vehicle that can actually handle it.