Colle Plane
Italy, europe
N/A
2,222 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got a killer route for you: Colle Plane, a high-altitude border crossing straddling Italy and France at a whopping 2,222 meters (7,290 feet)!
Nestled in the Ligurian Alps, this isn't your Sunday drive. Think narrow, think gravel, and definitely think 4x4. Seriously, you'll want the right vehicle for this one. The road connects the Alpes-Maritimes in France with Piedmont in Italy, offering some seriously stunning scenery along the way.
Word to the wise: plan your trip for summer or early fall. This pass is usually buried under snow from November to June. And if you make it to the top, you'll find Capanna Morgantini, a mountain hut built back in '77, perfect for a breather before you head back down. Trust me, this road is an experience you won't forget!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,222 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardPlöcken Pass-Passo di Monte Croce Carnico is an absolute must for road lovers
🇦🇹 Austria
# Plöckenpass-Passo di Monte Croce Carnico Tucked away in the stunning Carnic Alps, this 1,370-meter (4,494ft) pass straddles the Austria-Italy border like a natural gateway between worlds. It connects the Italian Province of Udine in Friuli-Venezia Giulia with the Austrian district of Spittal an der Drau in Carinthia—a route that's been bringing travelers together since medieval times, when merchants used it as part of the trade route between Aquileia and Salzburg. The 60-kilometer (37-mile) road stretching from Tolmezzo, Italy to Oberdrauburg, Austria is completely paved (Strada Statale 52bis on the Italian side, Bundesstraße 110 on the Austrian), but don't let that fool you—this isn't a leisurely cruise. Expect twelve hairpin turns and four tunnels that'll keep you on your toes, with grades hitting up to 13% in some places. The drive down toward Italy is absolutely thrilling, though watch out for narrow sections and the occasional rockfall risk. Most drivers tackle it in 1 to 1.5 hours, and the good news? It stays open year-round. The pass is basically an open-air history book. Remnants of WWI fortifications—bunkers, tunnels, and trenches—are scattered throughout, and there's even a museum at the summit showcasing restored structures. The name itself is a throwback to medieval times, when it was called Kreuzberg (Monte Crucis), which evolved into its current Italian name.
moderateIs CV800 Road to Port de la Carrasqueta paved?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the CV800 in sunny southeastern Spain, and life is good. This beauty, also called Carretera de la Carrasqueta, winds its way through the Sierra de la Carrasqueta range, and yes, it's paved the whole way. Clocking in at about 36 kilometers (22 miles), it's best tackled from south to north, starting near Sant Joan d'Alacant (off the N-332) and eventually hooking up with the A7 near La Sarga. Get ready for some climbs, though! You'll hit gradients of over 8%, so keep your engine humming. You can usually drive it any time of year, but watch out for snow and fog in the winter. The road peaks at the Port de la Carrasqueta, a cool 1,023 meters (3,356 feet) above sea level. The views from up there? Totally worth it, with panoramic vistas of the l’Alacantí valley. And pro tip: make a pit stop at Venta Teresa – you'll thank me for the refreshments and even more amazing scenery!
moderateStrada delle Farfalle, a wild road in Sardinia
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! You HAVE to check out Strada delle Farfalle – that's "Butterfly Road" for us non-Italian speakers – nestled in the Sassari province of Sardinia, Italy. Think rugged Limbara mountains and a seriously off-the-beaten-path vibe. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about 12.1 kilometers of pure Sardinian wilderness linking the charming villages of Berchidda and Vallicciola. Now, here's the thing: on a good, dry day, it's a manageable adventure. But when the rain hits, all bets are off. Expect mud, slick surfaces, and the potential for impassable conditions. Oh, and did I mention you'll be climbing to a whopping 1,094 meters (3,589 feet) above sea level? The views are insane, but keep your eyes peeled! There's a high risk of rock slides, so stay alert and embrace the wild ride. Trust me, this road is an experience you won't soon forget!
moderateAn epic road to Col d'Azet in the Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Col d'Azet Want to tackle a real Alpine adventure? Col d'Azet sits pretty at 1,580m (5,183ft) in the Hautes-Pyrénées, nestled in France's Occitania region. This is the kind of pass that gets cyclists dreaming and road-trippers excited. The 18.2 km (11.30 miles) stretch runs west-east from Saint-Lary-Soulan to Génos, and yeah, it's made the Tour de France cut before—so you know it's legit. Fair warning though: the road is fully paved but showing its age in places, narrows out unexpectedly, and doesn't always have guardrails to keep you company. Not exactly a leisurely drive. What you *will* get are some seriously steep grades, especially through the village of Azet where things get pretty gnarly. Plan for an average gradient of around 8% on both sides, though it eases up a bit as you push toward the summit. The lower kilometres? Steep as they come. Once you reach the top, you'll find minimal amenities—just a small parking area and those stunning Pyrenean views. Oh, and keep an eye out for hang-gliders dancing through the sky. The scenery is genuinely gorgeous, making every hairpin worth the effort. This is mountain pass driving at its most rewarding.