Driving the unpaved military road to Colle d’Ancoccia in Piedmont
Italy, europe
37.1 km
2,533 m
hard
Year-round
# Colle d'Ancoccia
Want to tackle one of Italy's most remote and adventurous mountain passes? Colle d'Ancoccia sits at a seriously impressive 2,533 meters (8,310 feet) in the Cottian Alps, deep in Piedmont's far southwestern corner near the French border.
This isn't your typical Sunday drive. Built way back for military purposes, the 37.1-kilometer route starts from the SP113 road south of Marmora and winds through a landscape literally littered with abandoned Alpine Wall bunkers and barracks—it's like driving through a piece of history. The scenery up here is absolutely stunning, with views of Rocca la Meja and Lago della Meja surrounding you as you climb.
Here's the catch: the entire road is unpaved and covered in loose gravel and stones. You're looking at some seriously steep sections with grades hitting 25%, plus plenty of precipitous drop-offs that'll definitely get your adrenaline pumping. You'll absolutely need a sturdy 4x4 with solid ground clearance to even attempt this one—no exceptions.
Oh, and timing matters big time. Winter pretty much shuts this road down completely, so save this adventure for the warmer months when conditions are actually manageable. If you've got the right vehicle and nerves of steel, though, this is one unforgettable alpine experience.
Where is it?
Driving the unpaved military road to Colle d’Ancoccia in Piedmont is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.5751, 11.8709
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 37.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,533 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.5751, 11.8709
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