Dal Piaz Refuge

Dal Piaz Refuge

Italy, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

1,993 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

# Rifugio Dal Piaz: A Heart-Pounding Alpine Adventure

Perched at a breathtaking 1,993 meters (6,538 feet) in the Belluno province of Veneto, Rifugio Dal Piaz sits deep in the stunning Parco Nazionale Dolomiti Bellunesi in northern Italy. Getting there? That's half the adventure.

The track leading up to this mountain shelter is definitely not your typical drive. We're talking gravel, seriously steep grades, and sections so narrow you'll be holding your breath. This old military road winds its way through some jaw-dropping terrain, but here's the thing—in many spots, there's nothing between you and a drop of hundreds of meters except thin air. No guardrails to catch you. Yeah, it's legitimately nerve-wracking, and honestly, plenty of people decide it's just too intense.

The final stretch? That's reserved for hikers and adventurers on foot—vehicles aren't allowed up there.

If you're the type who gets a rush from challenging yourself on mountain roads and soaking in some seriously dramatic Alpine scenery, this could be your next bucket-list drive. Just make sure you're prepared for the intensity.

Where is it?

Dal Piaz Refuge is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.4123, 12.0166

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
1,993 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
42.4123, 12.0166

Related Roads in europe

Where is Road SH-21 in Albania?hard

Where is Road SH-21 in Albania?

🇦🇱 Albania

Yo, adventure junkies! Get ready to conquer SH21, a mind-blowing mountain road tucked away in northern Albania. We're talking Shkodër County, right in the heart of Theth National Park. This epic stretch runs for 55.5 km (34.4 miles) from Koplik all the way to the tiny village of Theth. Built way back in 1936, it got a fresh layer of pavement in September 2021, so it's smooth sailing (relatively speaking!). You'll be climbing high into the Albanian Alps, hitting a peak of 1,691m (5,547ft) at the Thore Pass. Fair warning: this road is usually snowed in from November to May, so plan your trip accordingly. Now, don't get too comfy, this road is not for the faint of heart. It's narrow, with some turnouts along the newly paved sections. Prepare for some seriously steep climbs, with gradients reaching a max of 15% in places! Plus, there are some pretty intense drop-offs, so buckle up and keep your eyes on the road. Oh, and maybe skip it on Sunday afternoons to avoid the crowds. But, hey, if you're not afraid of heights and love a good adrenaline rush, this is your kind of road trip!

Take An Unforgettable Drive to Dom Śląski Schronisko Górskiehard

Take An Unforgettable Drive to Dom Śląski Schronisko Górskie

🌍 Czech Republic

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna find a mountain hut way up high? Head to the Polish-Czech border and search out Dom Śląski Schronisko Górskie. Perched at nearly 4,600 feet, it's a trek to get there. Forget your sedan! This isn’t a Sunday drive. We're talking rough gravel, littered with potholes. You'll need a 4x4 to even think about making it. Seriously. And the weather? It's a wild card. Sunshine one minute, blizzard the next. Road closures? Yeah, those happen a lot. Fair warning: this summit's often lost in cloud or fog. Winter? Forget about it! Deep snow sticks around well into spring. This track is tough in good conditions, a total nightmare when it's wet or dark. Altitude and crazy weather are always in play, no matter what time of year you visit! But if you are up for the adventure, the views and sense of accomplishment will be unparalleled!

Road 626 is an awe-inspiring drive in the peninsula Westfjordshard

Road 626 is an awe-inspiring drive in the peninsula Westfjords

🇮🇸 Iceland

Road 626, or Hrafnseyrarvegur, is a coastal gem nestled in Iceland's Westfjords, specifically the Dýrafjörður fjord area. Think breathtaking scenery as you wind 30.6 km (19 miles) from Þingeyri to Dynjandi, passing by Hrafnseyri. Now, heads up, this isn't your typical paved road. It's all gravel, but most cars can handle it, though a 4x4 definitely makes things easier. This route can get feisty when the tide's high! Prepare for seriously stunning views of the coastline, mountains, and Hrafnseyrarheiði from both sides of the road. Plus, it's your access point for the gorgeous Gljúfurárfoss Waterfall. Just a heads-up: the road has some tight squeezes, a bumpy surface, steep climbs (up to a crazy 20% grade!), and drop-offs. You'll climb to a whopping 551m (1807ft) at the Hrafnseyrarheiði plateau. Because of the altitude, it's only open in the summer. Quick note: as of October 2020, the Dýrafjarðargöng tunnel (part of Road 60) offers an alternative route.

Driving the paved road to Somport Pass in the Pyreneesmoderate

Driving the paved road to Somport Pass in the Pyrenees

🇪🇸 Spain

# Puerto de Somport-Col du Somport Perched at 1,637 meters (5,370 feet) in the heart of the Pyrenees, this international mountain pass sits right on the border between Spain and France. It's the gateway connecting Huesca province in northeastern Spain with the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region in the French southwest, bridging the Aragón river valley on one side and the Aspe river valley on the other. The name itself is pretty cool—it comes from Latin "summus portus," literally meaning "the highest port." And for good reason: this is THE main pass through the central Pyrenees. The 16.2-kilometer (10-mile) route, officially called N330a, is completely paved and runs north-south from Canfranc-Estación all the way to Les Forges d'Abel. Fair warning though—this isn't a gentle cruise. You're looking at some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting 10% in places. It's exactly the kind of challenging climb that's caught the attention of pro cyclists over the years; both the Tour de France and Vuelta a España have tested riders here. The road stays open year-round, weather permitting, making it a solid choice for most of the year. But if you're worried about unpredictable conditions, there's an alternative: the Túnel de Somport opened in 2003 and runs about 8.6 kilometers, staying accessible 24/7 regardless of what Mother Nature throws at you.