How to Get to Sant'Anna di Vinadio in Cuneo, the Highest Sanctuary in Europe by Car?
Italy, europe
17 km
2,012 m
moderate
Year-round
Sant'Anna di Vinadio is a stunning high mountain sanctuary perched at 2,000m (6,600ft) in Italy's Cuneo Province, dedicated to Sant'Anna and Gioacchino, the parents of Mary. Tucked into the Orgials side valley within the Stura Valley in the Piedmont region, this sacred spot holds the distinction of being Europe's highest Christian place of worship.
The winding road up to the sanctuary starts in the charming village of Vinadio at 900m and climbs for 17km, gaining a serious 1,100m in elevation. You'll navigate a mix of tight bends, steep climbs, and occasional flat sections along a fully paved but remarkably narrow route. Fair warning: as you approach the sanctuary, three particularly gnarly switchbacks await, with gradients reaching up to 20%. The road accommodates vehicles up to 10 meters long, though navigating this serpentine path in anything larger requires some careful maneuvering.
At the summit, you'll find a spacious parking lot and access to accommodations housed in a converted military barracks—the Casa di San Gioacchino guesthouse offers rooms and dining facilities, while the San Giuseppe refuge provides hostel-style lodging. This has been a cherished pilgrimage destination for centuries, drawing the faithful from far and wide.
Just keep in mind that this Alpine gem is only accessible during the brief summer months, so timing your visit is essential. The Maritime Alps landscape surrounding the sanctuary makes every hairpin turn worth it.
Where is it?
How to Get to Sant'Anna di Vinadio in Cuneo, the Highest Sanctuary in Europe by Car? is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.3062, 13.6563
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 17 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,012 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 42.3062, 13.6563
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