Driving a military road to Colle di Chavannes in Valle d’Aosta
Italy, europe
12.2 km
2,608 m
hard
Year-round
# Colle di Chavanves: A Hidden Alpine Gem
Want to test your driving skills at nearly 8,600 feet? The Colle di Chavannes in Italy's Valle d'Aosta region is calling your name. This unpaved mountain pass is one of Italy's highest roads, and trust me—it's an adventure worth taking.
Starting from Strada Statale 26 della Valle d'Aosta, you'll climb 12.2 kilometers of pure alpine drama. The ascent cranks up 1,003 meters of elevation with an average gradient of 8.22%, so come prepared. Fair warning: this is a narrow, steep, unpaved road—an old military route that demands respect and careful maneuvering.
But here's where it gets magical. As you wind upward, you'll spot historic military fortifications carved right into the mountainside, relics from a bygone era. And when you finally reach the summit? The panoramic views are absolutely breathtaking—sweeping vistas across to Col de la Seigne and the entire Mont Blanc massif stretching before you. It's the kind of moment that makes every hairpin turn worth it.
This is classic alpine driving: remote, challenging, and unforgettable.
Where is it?
Driving a military road to Colle di Chavannes in Valle d’Aosta is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.2703, 12.2003
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 12.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,608 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.2703, 12.2003
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Alto del Hornillo?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Let's talk about Alto del Hornillo, a wild ride nestled high in the Teruel province of Spain. Where exactly? Picture this: Aragón, that eastern slice of Spain, hiding a seriously awesome mountain pass. Now, the road… oh, the road! Forget smooth tarmac; we're talking pure, unadulterated off-road action. You'll DEFINITELY want a 4x4 for this one. From Valdelinares (the highest town in mainland Spain!), it’s just shy of 4 miles to the top. Don't let the short distance fool you. You'll be climbing nearly 1,000 feet along the way! A word of warning: winter ain't your friend here. Being so high up in the Sierra de Gúdar mountains, snow and ice often shut this road down completely. But is it worth it? Absolutely! The views are insane. Think panoramic vistas of the Sierra de Gúdar, the cute towns of Valdelinares and Mosqueruela, the Valdelinares ski resort, and the whole Maestrazgo area stretching out before you. Trust me; your camera will thank you.
hardBorcola Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo della Borcola: A Thrilling Alpine Climb Want to test your driving skills? Passo della Borcola, perched at 1,207 meters, sits right on the border between Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Veneto in northeastern Italy—a stunning location that rewards every twist and turn. The fully paved road (SP138 and SP81) is no joke: it's steep with tight sections and throws 19 hairpin turns at you to keep things interesting. If you're starting from Posina, you're looking at a 9.67 km push uphill with 650 meters of elevation gain—that's an average gradient of 6.7%, so your car will definitely feel it. Coming from Castello di Rovereto? Buckle up for the longer route: 22.23 km with 987 meters of elevation gain, though the gentler 4.4% average gradient makes it a bit more forgiving. Either way, this is classic Alpine driving—challenging enough to get your adrenaline pumping, but totally doable in a regular vehicle. The scenery alone makes the effort worth it, and those hairpins offer plenty of opportunities to catch your breath and snap some photos.
moderateWhere is Kronplatz-Plan de Corones?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, so Kronplatz-Plan de Corones is this crazy-high mountain pass in the stunning Italian Alps of South Tyrol. You'll find it nestled right in the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. The road up? Well, it's paved but in two distinct acts. First, you're cruising up from Furkelpass - Passo Furcia. It starts off easy, lulling you into a false sense of security before throwing some serious steepness your way towards the end of the asphalt. Then comes the real challenge. Picture tons of hairpin bends, each one seemingly steeper than the last. We're talking max gradients of 21-24%! This climb has even tested the legs of pros in the Giro d'Italia bicycle race. If you're tackling it from St. Vigil in Enneberg, it's about long with serious elevation gain.
extremeA Very Bumpy, Grueling Road to Karlsbader Hutte
🇦🇹 Austria
# Karlsbader Hütte: A Wild Alpine Adventure Tucked away in Tyrol's stunning southern reaches, the Karlsbader Hütte sits pretty at 2,244m (7,362ft), perched right near the Carinthia border and overlooking the gorgeous Laserzsee lake with its crystal-clear waters. Getting there? That's half the adventure. The Dolomitenstraße is no joke—this beast of a road climbs an unrelenting 12.5km (7.76 miles) from Bad Jungbrunn, gaining a jaw-dropping 1,582 meters with an average gradient of 11.83%. Some sections hit a brutal 18% grade that'll have your legs (and your car) seriously working. The first stretch is paved, but don't get too comfortable. The final 3.1km? That's pure mountain biking territory—unpaved and off-limits to motor vehicles. You'll need two wheels and serious fitness to conquer this last push through the heart of the Lienz Dolomites. Fair warning: this stunning route is a winter no-go, closing down when the snow comes. But in warmer months, if you're brave enough to tackle this immense climb, the payoff is worth every drop of sweat—you'll be rewarded with some of the most spectacular alpine scenery Austria has to offer.