
Colle San Zeno
Italy, europe
16.65 km
1,434 m
hard
Year-round
# Colle San Zeno: A Thrilling Alpine Climb in Lombardy
Nestled in the province of Brescia in Lombardy, Italy, Colle San Zeno (also called Colma di San Zeno) sits at a respectable 1,434 meters (4,704 feet) above sea level. This mountain pass is a fantastic destination for anyone looking to tackle some seriously fun alpine driving.
The road up—officially known as Via Case Sparse Mondaro—is a narrow, steep asphalt ribbon that'll definitely keep you on your toes. Most of it's a single lane, and while you'll spot the occasional pothole here and there, the overall condition is genuinely excellent. It's the kind of road that rewards careful driving with stunning mountain scenery.
You've got two solid options for reaching the top. Coming from Pisogne? Prepare for a 16.65 km climb that'll pump 1,244 meters of elevation gain into your legs (or your engine). That works out to an average gradient of 7.5%—nothing outrageous, but definitely respectable.
Prefer a slightly gentler approach? Start from Lavone instead. This route stretches 13.8 km with 936 meters of elevation gain, averaging a more forgiving 6.8% gradient. Either way, you're in for a memorable drive through some spectacular alpine landscape.
Where is it?
Colle San Zeno is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.3881, 13.5527
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 16.65 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,434 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.3881, 13.5527
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