Malga Palazzo: Tackling Europe's Steepest Road in Italy's Dolomites
Italy, europe
8 km
1,571 m
moderate
Year-round
# Scanuppia-Malga Palazzo: Europe's Most Brutal Climb
Nestled in the stunning Dolomites of northern Italy's Trentino region, Scanuppia-Malga Palazzo sits at 1,571 meters (5,154 feet) and serves as the gateway to what might just be the steepest paved road climb on the planet.
The magic starts in the tiny village of Besenello, where you'll begin an 8-kilometer (5-mile) assault that'll test every fiber of your cycling legs—or your car's transmission. We're talking about gaining a whopping 1,317 meters of elevation, which works out to an eye-watering 18.1% average gradient. But here's the kicker: sections of this beast hit a terrifying 42.8% slope.
Built way back in the 16th century, Salita Scanuppia is tucked away within the Riserva regionale Scanuppia, and it's earned its fearsome reputation for good reason. The road is paved—well, mostly. You'll find stretches of concrete mixed in with asphalt, but don't expect a smooth ride. The surface has this intentional "wavy" quality to it, almost like ripples frozen in concrete. Sounds weird? It is. But there's a purpose: those undulations are designed to grip your tires when snow and ice take over during winter months.
This isn't your average mountain pass. It's a raw, unforgiving challenge set against one of Europe's most beautiful backdrops. For cyclists and driving enthusiasts alike, Scanuppia-Malga Palazzo is the ultimate bucket-list climb.
Where is it?
Malga Palazzo: Tackling Europe's Steepest Road in Italy's Dolomites is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.1705, 11.7964
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,571 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 42.1705, 11.7964
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