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
hardIs Road 745 (Skagavegur) unpaved?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, picture this: Road 745, also known as Skagavegur, hugging the rugged coastline of Northwestern Iceland. This isn't your average highway, folks. We're talking seriously stunning scenery, with crazy rock formations you won't see anywhere else. Yeah, it's a gravel road the whole way, and you'll have to watch out for some rocks poking up, but it's usually in decent shape, so you don't *need* a 4x4. This epic coastal drive stretches for about 82 km, linking Route 744 (Þverárfjallsvegur) to the charming fishing town of Skagaströnd. Just a heads-up: be super careful when there's fog; it can get crazy thick out here. Also, this road is usually closed for most of the year, typically from early September until late June, so plan accordingly! But, seriously, is it worth it? Absolutely! You'll be winding along the Skagi peninsula with landscapes that will blow your mind. Keep an eye out for the incredible basalt columns near Kálfshamarsvík, some of the most spectacular in Iceland! And if you're feeling adventurous, detour to Skálar, an abandoned fishing village where a lone lighthouse still stands sentinel. Trust me, this is a road trip you won't forget.
hardPort de Filià
🇪🇸 Spain
# Port de Filià: Spain's Hardcore Mountain Challenge Ready for an extreme alpine adventure? Port de Filià sits at a jaw-dropping 2,404 meters (7,887 feet) in Lleida, Catalonia, and ranks among Spain's highest drivable peaks. This isn't your typical scenic mountain road—it's pure, unadulterated mountain madness. The route itself is basically a glorified chairlift access trail from the abandoned Vallfosca Interllacs ski resort, connecting the tiny villages of Sarroca de Bellera and la Torre de Cabdella. Think rocky, gravel surface with relentless inclines that hit 30% in places. The upper sections? Even steeper and absolutely littered with loose rocks that'll keep your knuckles white on the steering wheel. Here's the catch: you can realistically only attempt this between late August and early September during that brief summer window. Miss it, and you're not getting through. Winter temperatures plummet to brutally cold levels in this Vall Fosca valley location, making the road inaccessible. And then there's the wind. Seriously—constant, powerful gusts hammer this exposed ridgeline year-round. Combine that with the steep grades, loose surface, and extreme altitude, and you've got a road that demands respect and full concentration. This is for experienced drivers who thrive on serious mountain challenges.
hardLagunas de Neila, an iconic Vuelta a España climb
🇪🇸 Spain
# Lagunas de Neila Tucked away in Burgos province in Spain's Castile and León region, Lagunas de Neila is a stunning high-altitude glacial lake sitting at 1,873 meters (6,145 feet). Fair warning: you're in for quite the climb to get there. The paved road winds its way up to this gem within the Lagunas Glaciares de Neila national park, but "narrow" and "steep" don't even begin to cover it. We're talking sections that max out at a teeth-gritting 17% gradient. It's definitely doable, but you'll feel every meter of elevation gain. Winter weather is the real wildcard here. The road can shut down without warning between December and March when snow and ice take over. Time your visit accordingly, and you'll be rewarded with incredible photo ops at every turn. Here's the thing: the last 1.3 kilometers are off-limits to cars. You'll park at the parking de las Lagunas de Neila lot and hoof it the final stretch on foot—but trust us, the scenery makes it worth the walk. The climb is legendary enough that the Spanish Vuelta cycling race has tackled it. If you're coming up from the BU-822 road, you're looking at a 4.3-kilometer ascent that gains 466 meters of elevation. That works out to an average gradient of about 10.8%, though those steep sections will test your nerve and your brakes.
moderateA brutally steep classic climb to Planche des Belles Filles
🇫🇷 France
# Planche des Belles Filles Tucked away in the Vosges Mountains within France's Haute-Saône department, Planche des Belles Filles sits pretty at 1,148 meters (3,766 feet) above sea level. The name literally means "Beautiful Girls," though it actually comes from the local vegetation—so don't let the romantic-sounding title fool you! The climb up via D16-D16E is a beast. Starting from Plancher-les-Mines, you're looking at a 5.9 km (3.7 mi) assault on your legs with 503 meters (1,650 feet) of elevation gain. The average gradient hangs around 8.5%, but things get spicy near the top—we're talking a brutal 28% stretch that'll make your quads scream. This climb absolutely destroyed egos when Chris Froome first conquered it during the 2012 Tour de France, claiming his first stage victory in La Grande Boucle. What makes this road infamous isn't just the punishing gradient; it's the relentless, constantly changing steepness from bottom to finish. Unlike most French roads with their carefully engineered, predictable slopes, Planche des Belles Filles keeps you guessing with unforgiving elevation changes at every turn. The road itself is wide enough for two cars to pass comfortably, but that paved surface leads to a genuinely feared ski slope finale that's humbled countless cyclists. Fair warning: this climb isn't for the faint of heart. It's one of the most notorious and feared ascents in the entire Vosges range, and it shows absolutely zero mercy from start to finish.