Forcella de Mèdo/di Mezzo
Italy, europe
5.3 km
1,908 m
extreme
Year-round
# Forcella de Mèdo/di Mezzo: A Heart-Pounding Alpine Adventure
Nestled in the Dolomites of northeastern Italy, Forcella de Mèdo/di Mezzo sits at a breathtaking 1,908m (6,259ft) elevation—and trust us, the drive to get there is just as breathtaking. This old military road is not for the faint of heart.
What you're getting into: think steep, winding switchbacks that seem to go on forever, with sections so narrow that oncoming traffic becomes a genuine puzzle. In plenty of places, you're essentially driving along a cliff edge with no guardrails between you and a drop that'll make your stomach flip. But here's the kicker—someone recently gave the road a fresh coat of asphalt, which sounds great until you hit those brutal 29% grade ramps covered in loose gravel outside the tire tracks. It keeps things interesting, that's for sure.
The route spans just 5.3km from Misurina (extending to 6.3km if you push to where the gravel begins), climbing over three mountain passes: Forcella Bassa, Forcella de Mèdo/di Mezzo, and Forcella Àuta/Alta before ending at the Rifugio Bois at Monte Piana.
The payoff? Phenomenal. You're practically neighbors with the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and the views are absolutely camera-worthy. Plus, Monte Piana is steeped in World War I history—this area saw intense battles between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces, and you'll spot remnants throughout. It's a place where adventure meets history, making for an unforgettable drive.
Where is it?
Forcella de Mèdo/di Mezzo is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.3987, 12.5329
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 5.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,908 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 42.3987, 12.5329
Related Roads in europe
moderateHoz del Huécar Tourist Route
🇪🇸 Spain
# Hoz del Huécar Tourist Route If you're looking for a scenic drive that'll make you want to pull over every five minutes for photos, the Hoz del Huécar Tourist Route is calling your name. Located in Cuenca province in the heart of Castile–La Mancha, this well-maintained asphalt road (CUV-9144) connects the stunning UNESCO World Heritage city of Cuenca with the small village of Palomera, hugging the dramatic Huecar river gorge the entire way. At just 8.9 km long, this isn't a marathon drive—it's a perfectly compact adventure. But don't let the short distance fool you. The views are absolutely incredible, with plenty of official and unofficial viewpoints dotted along the route where you can stop and soak in the scenery. Seriously, bring your camera and plan to use it liberally. The drive itself is genuinely enjoyable, winding through canyon walls with one jaw-dropping vista after another. Just keep your eyes sharp for pedestrians and cyclists who might be exploring the area, especially around the viewpoints. This is the kind of road trip that gives you that "I'm so glad I came here" feeling—the kind of drive you'll be talking about for years to come.
moderateThe Paved Road to Aramon Formigal-Panticosa with 10% Ramps in Huesca
🇪🇸 Spain
Aramón Formigal-Panticosa is a ski resort perched at 1,790 m (5,872 ft) in the heart of Spain's Huesca province. You'll find it nestled in the Aragon region in the northeastern part of the country, and let me tell you—this place is legendary among road enthusiasts. Located high up in the stunning Pyrenees, the route to get here is an absolute dream. The A-136 is fully paved and in excellent condition, stretching 27 km (16.7 miles) from the charming town of Biescas all the way north toward the French border at Col du Pourtalet. The road climbs steadily with some sections hitting a gnarly 10% gradient, which is why it's earned serious respect as one of the area's most iconic ascents—so iconic, in fact, that it's been featured in Spain's prestigious Vuelta race. Whether you're a cyclist tackling those legendary switchbacks or a driver soaking in the mountain scenery, this is a road that delivers an unforgettable Alpine experience. The views alone make it worth the drive.
moderateWhere is Qafë Botë border crossing?
🇬🇷 Greece
Okay, globetrotters, let's talk about Qafë Botë, an international mountain pass chillin' at 137m (449ft) right on the Albanian-Greek border. Locals call it the Neck-of-the-World, and trust me, the views live up to the name! This pass connects Vlorë County in Albania with the Epirus region in Greece. The border crossing is open 24/7. You won't be alone: over 600,000 crossings happen here every year! The 19.7 km (12.24 miles) stretch of road is paved and in great condition (it's called SH97 on the Albanian side), winding its way from Asprokklisi, Greece, to Çiflig, Albania. Get ready for some seriously stunning mountain scenery as you cruise along!
hardLac de Cap-de-Long: One of the Highest Paved Roads in the French Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Lac de Cap-de-Long: A Alpine Adventure Ready for one seriously epic mountain drive? Lac de Cap-de-Long sits pretty at 2,161m (7,089ft) in France's Hautes-Pyrénées, making it one of the loftiest paved roads in the entire French Pyrenees—yep, it actually beats the legendary Col du Tourmalet! Nestled in the Occitania region of southwestern France, this stunning reservoir is just south of Lac d'Aubert. The road curves dramatically around the northern edge of the Crête des Alharisses, treating you to absolutely jaw-dropping mountain vistas the whole way. The best part? The entire route to France's largest Pyrenean reservoir is paved. Sure, it gets a bit squeezed in places, but totally doable. The D929—locals call it the Route des Lacs—climbs as a dead-end road, snaking toward the dam through a spectacular finale of hairpin turns that'll get your adrenaline pumping. Starting from the village of Aragnouet, you're looking at a 13.5 km (8.38 miles) push uphill that gains 1,029 meters of elevation. The average gradient hangs around 7.62%, but some sections crank up to a spicy 11.8%. Once you reach the top, you'll find a sprawling parking area (fair warning: it gets packed during peak season), a café for well-deserved refreshments, and tons of hiking trails branching out through the alpine landscape.