
How Long is Sella dell’Auccia?
Italy, europe
17.4 km
2,108 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! Let's talk about Sella dell’Auccia, a seriously epic mountain pass nestled high in the Italian province of Brescia. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks.
We're talking about Strada Provinciale 345B – the "Delle Tre Valli" – a wild 17.4 km (10.81 miles) stretch that’ll have you holding your breath. You'll be cruising mostly above 2,000 meters, with the summit hitting 2,108m (6,916ft). Expect stunning panoramic views... and maybe a little vertigo, because in some spots, the road narrows to a single lane right next to some seriously steep, unguarded drops.
Now, here's the kicker: this beauty is part paved, part gravel. The middle section is pure, unadulterated gravel. Rocks and weathered surfaces will keep you on your toes, especially around the curves. They have a speed limit of 20 km/h for a reason! And pro tip: overtaking and stopping are big no-nos unless you're in a designated parking spot.
So, if you're craving a heart-pumping, scenery-drenched adventure in the Italian Alps, Sella dell’Auccia is calling your name. Just be prepared for some serious mountain driving!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 17.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,108 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardHow long is Road F337?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, adventure-seekers, buckle up for the F337 (Hlöðuvallavegur) in Southern Iceland! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Nestled near Þingvellir National Park, this 28.9 km (17.95 miles) stretch is one of Iceland's steepest and most scenic. Forget the pavement; this is pure, unadulterated Icelandic wilderness. Think lunar landscapes and a totally rough track that demands a 4x4 with serious ground clearance. Seriously, leave the family sedan at home. We're talking big stones, sandy patches, and a relentless climb. Get ready to ascend a whopping 500 vertical meters in just 4 km, hitting an average gradient of 15%! You'll be soaring to 681m (2,234ft) above sea level, so get ready for those views! Keep in mind this road is typically closed from late October to late June/early July due to snow. This is a remote route; passing traffic is rare, and cell service can be spotty. Be prepared to be self-sufficient, and enjoy the raw, untamed beauty of Iceland!
hardCollado del Alguacil
🇪🇸 Spain
# Collado del Alguacil: A Sierra Nevada Lung-Buster Ready to test your nerves and your car's engine? Collado del Alguacil sits pretty at 1,896m (6,220ft) in Spain's stunning Sierra Nevada range, nestled within Andalusia's national park. Fair warning: this isn't a leisurely Sunday drive. Starting from Pinos Genil, you're looking at a 17.2km climb with an average gradient of 6.6%—but don't let that fool you. The road itself is narrow and brutally steep, with gradients hitting a tooth-gritting 20% at their worst. The real drama unfolds in the final two kilometers, where things get seriously gnarly. The second-to-last kilometer? That's where the pass dishes out its meanest punishment, with the steepest pitches of the entire ascent. The asphalt's decent, at least, but grip that steering wheel tight. On the flip side, the views are absolutely worth your white knuckles. As you climb, you'll be rewarded with magnificent vistas of the snowy peaks of Mulhacén and Veleta dominating the horizon—genuine, breathtaking Sierra Nevada scenery that'll remind you why you're putting your driving skills through this beautiful punishment.
hardA steep gravel road to Monte Telegrafo-Plose in the Dolomites
🇮🇹 Italy
# Monte Telegrafo-Plose: A High-Alpine Adventure Perched at 2,483m (8,146ft) in Italy's Trentino-South Tyrol region, Monte Telegrafo-Plose is an incredible high mountain destination that punches way above its weight. From the summit, you can spy more than 100 surrounding peaks stretching across the horizon—seriously humbling stuff. The peak sits north of Forcella Luson and has accumulated quite the collection of infrastructure over the decades: communication towers, a military base, a heliport, a church, and the cozy Plosehütte mountain hut. There's also some Cold War history here—a radar station that operated from 1958 to 1978, originally accessed not just by road but by an impressive cable car system rising from the valley below. ## The Drive The road up is called Via Panoramica Dolomiti, and it's gloriously narrow and mostly unpaved as you climb. Fair warning: it gets progressively rougher closer to the top, and the whole route shuts down completely during winter months. The 9.8km (6.08 miles) ascent from the paved Strada Provinciale 29 is no joke—you're climbing 778 meters with some brutal 12% gradients thrown in. Expect an average grade of around 7.93% throughout. ## The View But here's why you make the drive: a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the Dolomites spreads out before you. On clear days, you'll take in the Ötztal Alps, Zillertal and Stubai Alps, plus the Ortles, Brenta, and Adamello ranges. It's the kind of vista that makes every hairpin turn worth it.
extremeEl Yelmo
🇪🇸 Spain
# El Yelmo: A Thrilling Mountain Adventure Perched at a impressive 1,785m (5,856ft) above sea level in Spain's Jaén province, El Yelmo sits within the stunning Natural Park Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and the Villas in Andalusia. The recently asphalted road snaking up to the summit makes this peak more accessible than ever—but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a casual cruise. The climb is seriously steep, averaging a 7% gradient with some hair-raising sections hitting 12%. Throw in the relentless winds that hammer this altitude year-round, and you've got a genuine mountain challenge on your hands. Winter? Forget about it—avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are real threats, and icy patches can appear without warning. The road can shut down entirely when snow decides to show up. If narrow, unpaved mountain roads aren't your comfort zone, or if heights make you queasy, this might not be your trip. But for adrenaline seekers with solid driving skills? It's absolutely worth it. The summit rewards brave drivers with mountain refuge facilities, communication towers, and views that paragliders absolutely love. Just stick to decent weather, keep your eyes sharp for ice, and respect what this mountain demands. Drive it on its terms, and El Yelmo will blow your mind.