Driving the unpaved military road to Colle del Mulo

# Colle del Mulo: A High-Alpine Adventure

Perched at a breathtaking 2,523m (8,277ft) in Italy's Piedmont region, Colle del Mulo sits in the southwestern corner near the French border—a true mountain gem for adventurous souls.

Fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The entire route to the summit is unpaved and seriously challenging. You're looking at narrow, winding paths with dramatic drop-offs and steep grades that'll test your nerves—a sturdy 4x4 is absolutely essential.

The pass sits high in the Hautes Alpes, just north of Colle Bandia, and mother nature calls the shots here. Expect the road to be completely impassable from late October through late June or early July, depending on snow conditions.

Here's where it gets interesting: the southern approach follows a gravel ex-military road, originally built in the 1930s and '40s. But head north, and things change dramatically. The road on that side was never finished—construction halted back in 1943 when the war interrupted progress. That means the northern pass is accessible only by foot path, adding an extra layer of adventure to the experience.

This is serious mountain terrain for serious adventurers. Come prepared, come ready, and come with proper respect for the Alps.