
If you love to drive, you will love the road to Mauria Pass
Italy, europe
21 km
1,298 m
hard
Year-round
# Passo della Mauria
Ready to tackle one of Italy's most scenic mountain passes? Passo della Mauria sits at a cool 1,298m (4,259ft) right where Veneto and Friuli shake hands in northern Italy.
This 21km (13-mile) stretch of the Strada Statale 52 runs north-south connecting Pelos di Cadore to Forni di Sopra, and honestly, it's a proper adventure. The road is paved but keep your wits about you—it's fairly narrow with some serious 10% gradients and a whopping 12 hairpin turns that'll keep your hands busy on the wheel. The good news? It stays open year-round, so you can experience this beauty in different seasons.
Once you reach the summit, you'll find a peaceful parking area and a restaurant where you can catch your breath and grab some fuel. But the real heart of this place is the wrought iron cross standing at the top—a moving memorial to partisans Arrigo Papazzoni "Linda" and Peis Sparin Pio "Brusco" who lost their lives here during WWII on June 14, 1944. It's a sobering reminder of the region's rich history.
Nature lovers, take note: the source of the Tagliamento River lies just south of the pass, adding another layer of natural beauty to your journey through these incredible Alps.
Where is it?
If you love to drive, you will love the road to Mauria Pass is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.4145, 12.2573
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 21 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,298 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.4145, 12.2573
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