
Forcella Àuta/Alta
Italy, europe
5.3 km
1,984 m
extreme
Year-round
# Forcella Àuta/Alta: A Mountain Pass Adventure
Ready for some serious Alpine thrills? Forcella Àuta/Alta is a stunning high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,984m (6,509ft) in the heart of the Dolomites, northeastern Italy's crown jewel.
Fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road is seriously steep and narrow—we're talking single-lane-in-places tight, with some sections dropping hundreds of meters straight down and absolutely zero guardrails to catch you. It's an old military road with serious personality.
The good news? They resurfaced it a while back, so it's actually in pretty decent shape. Most of the route is nicely asphalted, though you'll encounter some wild 29% gradient ramps with loose gravel sitting right outside your tire tracks—keep your wits about you on those stretches.
Starting from Misurina, you're looking at a 5.3km climb to Rifugio Bois at Monte Piana (or 6.3km if you're tackling the full gravel section to the mountain's top). Along the way, you'll conquer three passes—Forcella Bassa, Forcella de Mèdo, and finally Forcella Àuta—while the dramatic Tre Cime di Lavaredo beckons nearby.
Pro tip: bring your camera! Beyond the insane scenery, this area is soaked in World War I history. Monte Piana is scattered with relics from the Italian-Austro-Hungarian conflicts, making it a fascinating stop for history buffs and tourists alike.
Absolutely worth the adrenaline rush.
Where is it?
Forcella Àuta/Alta is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.1626, 12.4270
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 5.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,984 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 42.1626, 12.4270
Related Roads in europe
extremeHow to drive through Col des Montets in the French Alps?
🇫🇷 France
# Col des Montets Ready for an Alpine adventure? Col des Montets sits at 1,461m (4,793ft) in Haute-Savoie, France, nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. This 39 km (24.2 miles) mountain pass connects Chamonix—sitting pretty at the base of Mont Blanc—to Martigny in Switzerland, and it's been famous enough to feature in the Tour de France multiple times. The good news? This is a driver's dream. The entire route runs on pristine asphalt (the D1506), with gradients that max out at a manageable 8.3%—nothing too gnarly here. The road surface is in excellent condition, and the slopes stay nice and easy throughout. You'll navigate through stunning Alpine scenery, and at the summit, you can explore the Aiguilles Rouges chalet reserve and hit up some natural trails to spot authentic Alpine flora and fauna. Winter is when things get interesting. While the pass typically stays open year-round, heavy snow can roll in, and avalanche danger means closures happen. If conditions get sketchy, chains or winter tires are absolutely essential. When the pass does shut down, there's a clever backup: the Tunnel des Montets, a dual-purpose railway tunnel that also handles cars and trucks on the French side, so you're never completely stranded. Bottom line? It's a spectacular, accessible Alpine crossing that delivers stunning views without the white-knuckle stress.
extremeIs the road to Giogo della Bala in the Alps unpaved?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for the Giogo della Bala! This insane mountain pass sits way up in the Italian Alps, in Lombardy, at a dizzying 2,129m (6,984ft). You'll be cruising on Strada Provinziale 345B, aka Delle Tre Valli. The road starts and ends with asphalt, but get ready for some gravel action in the middle. This epic stretch is about 17.4 km (10.81 miles) of pure adrenaline, connecting to the SP 669 road. Now, let's talk thrills. This road hugs cliffs without guardrails, so keep your eyes on the prize. We're talking hairpin turns, insane views, and spots so narrow only one car can squeeze through. Oh, and did I mention the steep drops? Seriously, don't look down! The speed limit is a chill 20 km/h (12 mph) for a reason. Watch out for rocks and rough patches, especially on those curves. Overtaking and stopping are a no-go unless you're in a designated area. But hey, the views from the mountaintops are totally worth it!
hardCollado Ordes
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're craving a wild ride in northern Spain, Collado Ordes in the Picos de Europa is calling your name. This isn't your Sunday drive – we're talking a seriously steep climb up to 1,147 meters! Starting near Ceneya, the road throws you straight into a 4.8 km ascent with a crazy average gradient of 14.64%. And hold on tight, because you'll be navigating 31 hairpin turns as you gain 703 meters in elevation. Parts of this road are unpaved, with some concrete sections thrown in to help with traction on the really steep bits. Expect stunning views of the Sierra de Amieva range, but keep your eyes on the road — this is one thrilling ride!
hardWeissfluhjoch
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Weissfluhjoch: A Swiss Alpine Adventure Nestled in the heart of the Graubünden canton in Switzerland's majestic Alps, Weissfluhjoch stands at a commanding 2,666 meters (8,746 feet) above sea level. This isn't your typical mountain drive—it's a chairlift access trail that'll test your mettle. The route itself is pure alpine drama: rocky, gravelly terrain that gets progressively gnarlier as you climb. The grades are seriously steep, with some sections hitting a brutal 30% incline as you navigate this ski-station service road. Loose stones and exposed rocky sections characterize the upper stretches, making this one wild ride. Here's the catch—you've got a narrow window to attempt this. Late August offers your best shot, when summer conditions briefly align to make the route passable. Outside that sweet spot? Forget about it. Even during summer months, surprise snowfall can ambush you, and the wind here is no joke. We're talking relentless gusts year-round that'll keep you honest. Winter? Absolutely brutal. Temperatures plummet to genuinely punishing levels, transforming this already-challenging route into something for serious mountaineers only. But man, the payoff. The panoramic views sweeping across the peaks surrounding Davos are absolutely breathtaking. For those willing to tackle this beast during that fleeting summer window, Weissfluhjoch delivers an unforgettable Alpine experience.