An old military road to Tremalzo Pass
Italy, europe
10.6 km
1,845 m
moderate
Year-round
# Passo del Tremalzo: A WWI Adventure Road
Want to drive through history? Head to Passo del Tremalzo, sitting pretty at 1,845m (6,053ft) in the Italian Alps, right where Trentino and Lombardy meet near the stunning Garda Lake. This isn't just any mountain pass—it's a piece of WWI heritage that'll blow your mind.
Back in the Great War, Italian soldiers realized they needed a faster way to move artillery up the mountain to face the Austrians dug in on the northern side. So they transformed old footpaths into the "Strada della Grande Guerra" (Road of the Great War)—a rough, unpaved route that's still standing today.
Fair warning: this isn't a drive for your regular sedan. You'll need serious off-road cred—think early Panda 4x4, Jimny, Defender, or similar beasts. The 10.6 km (6.58 miles) stretch from Rifugio Garda to Rifugio Alpini Passo Nota is pure dirt, beautifully rough, and demands respect. Expect hairpin turns with gradients up to 22%, a handful of rock tunnels, and jaw-dropping views of Garda Lake that'll make you forget how slowly you're crawling (seriously, 5-10 kph is the norm here).
Here's the catch: only tackle this between late spring and early fall—snow dominates from November through April. Plus, the southern flank has been off-limits to vehicles since 2015. And proceed cautiously—rockslides are frequent, and maintenance is minimal.
Worth it? Absolutely.
Where is it?
An old military road to Tremalzo Pass is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.7893, 12.0865
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 10.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,845 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 42.7893, 12.0865
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