
Dosso dei Galli: a road on top of the mountains
Italy, europe
17.4 km
2,188 m
hard
Year-round
# Dosso dei Galli: Italy's Intense Alpine Challenge
Ready for an adrenaline rush? Welcome to Dosso dei Galli, a seriously impressive mountain pass sitting at 2,188 meters (7,178 feet) high in Brescia province, Lombardy. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—this is the real deal for adventure seekers.
The Strada Provinciale 345B, nicknamed "Delle Tre Valli" (Of the Three Valleys), is a wild 17.4 km (10.81 miles) roller coaster that'll test your nerves and your driving skills. Picture this: you're cruising along a road that's mostly perched above 2,000 meters elevation, with sheer rock faces towering beside you and heart-stopping drops plunging hundreds of meters down—and here's the kicker—most of it's completely unprotected by guardrails. In several spots, the road narrows so much that two vehicles can barely pass each other.
The road kicks off from Passo del Maniva on the Anfo Ridge Road and winds its way to the SP 669 junction. It starts and ends nicely paved, but don't get too comfortable—the middle section switches to gravel, throwing in some rocky, deteriorated surfaces especially through the curves. Still, it's totally doable for experienced drivers.
Fair warning: the speed limit is a cautious 20 km/h. Overtaking is off-limits, and you'll need to stick to designated parking areas. This route demands respect and full concentration, but the payoff? Absolutely unforgettable mountain scenery and bragging rights that last forever.
Where is it?
Dosso dei Galli: a road on top of the mountains is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 43.1463, 13.4026
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 17.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,188 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 43.1463, 13.4026
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