Monte Cimonasso

Monte Cimonasso

Italy, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,085 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Monte Cimonasso

Nestled in the province of Imperia in Liguria, Italy, Monte Cimonasso sits at a breathtaking 2,085m (6,840ft) elevation. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—it's an adventure.

The road to the summit is basically a gravel track that demands respect. We're talking steep, narrow, and relentlessly winding hairpins that'll keep your hands firmly on the wheel. Sections are heavily rutted and washed out, with a surface of loamy, grassy terrain that turns sketchy the moment rain rolls in. Pro tip: save this one for dry weather only.

Fair warning—this ancient military route is completely impassable from September through June thanks to heavy snow cover. Summer is your window. The bumpy, grueling ascent isn't for the faint of heart, but the raw, dramatic scenery makes every jolted spine worth it. If you're looking for a genuine mountain challenge in Italy, this is exactly what you're after.

Where is it?

Monte Cimonasso is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 43.1980, 13.4827

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,085 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
43.1980, 13.4827

Related Roads in europe

Where is the Kalser Glocknerstrasse?easy

Where is the Kalser Glocknerstrasse?

🇦🇹 Austria

Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're cruising around the Austrian Tyrol, you NEED to experience the Kalser Glocknerstraße. Tucked away in the southwestern part of the country, inside the Hohe Tauern National Park, this paved beauty is only about 7km (4.34 miles) long, but packs a serious punch. Starting from Burg (a district of Kals) this well-maintained mountain road winds like crazy through forests and past seriously lush meadows. Trust me, you'll be snapping pics around every hairpin bend! It'll take you into the Ködnitz Valley, all the way to the "Glocknerwinkel" car park. The drive starts in Burg, and climbs up to around 1,920 meters above sea level. Heads up: It's open year-round, but winter driving equipment is a MUST when the snow flies. Is it worth the drive? A resounding YES! You'll soak in views of glacier-carved valleys, daunting peak summits, and wild, rugged landscapes. And the grand finale? Jaw-dropping views of the Großglockner – Austria's highest mountain. Seriously, it's an Alpine experience you won't forget!

Where is Pré de Madame Carle?extreme

Where is Pré de Madame Carle?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: Pré de Madame Carle, a stunning natural spot way up in the French Alps, in the Hautes-Alpes region. We're talking serious elevation here – over 6,100 feet! You'll find it tucked away in the Pays des Écrins, right at the foot of the Vallouise valley. It's basically ground zero for mountaineers hitting up the Southern Alps, and the trailhead to the epic Glacier Blanc. Now, can you drive there? Absolutely! The D204T, built way back in '34, will get you there, but hold on tight. This isn't your average Sunday drive. Think narrow roads, hairpin turns that'll make your head spin, and some seriously steep climbs – we're talking gradients up to 13.4%! The adventure starts in L'Argentière-la-Bessée, and it's about 21.4 km (or 13.3 miles) to the top. You'll know you've made it when you see the Chalet Le Pré de Madame Carle refuge and the huge car park at the end of the road. A heads-up though: this road is usually closed in the winter months from the Claux tunnel, because it's in the heart of the Écrins National Park. Avalanche danger is real, so check the conditions before you head out! Is it worth the white-knuckle drive? Totally! Pré de Madame Carle is the star of the Écrins National Park, and gets PACKED in the summer, with around 150,000 people making the pilgrimage each year. Trust me, the views are worth fighting the crowds for.

Lac de Mauvoisinhard

Lac de Mauvoisin

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Lac de Mauvoisin is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.961m (6,433ft) above the sea level, located in the Valais region of Switzerland. The road to the summit is asphalted in very good conditions. It was built between 1954-1958. The climb includes some steep sections and a couple of tunnels. The Mauvoisin arch dam is an impressive structure, with a height of 250 m. At the lake, a gravel road climbs up to the a high mountain hut at an elevation of 2.471m (8,106ft) above the sea level. This road is only accessible in summer for people with special communal authorization.  A wild 4x4 road to Passo di San Giacomo Mittelbergpass, an awe-inspiring lonely road Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Dal Piaz Refugeextreme

Dal Piaz Refuge

🇮🇹 Italy

# Rifugio Dal Piaz: A Heart-Pounding Alpine Adventure Perched at a breathtaking 1,993 meters (6,538 feet) in the Belluno province of Veneto, Rifugio Dal Piaz sits deep in the stunning Parco Nazionale Dolomiti Bellunesi in northern Italy. Getting there? That's half the adventure. The track leading up to this mountain shelter is definitely not your typical drive. We're talking gravel, seriously steep grades, and sections so narrow you'll be holding your breath. This old military road winds its way through some jaw-dropping terrain, but here's the thing—in many spots, there's nothing between you and a drop of hundreds of meters except thin air. No guardrails to catch you. Yeah, it's legitimately nerve-wracking, and honestly, plenty of people decide it's just too intense. The final stretch? That's reserved for hikers and adventurers on foot—vehicles aren't allowed up there. If you're the type who gets a rush from challenging yourself on mountain roads and soaking in some seriously dramatic Alpine scenery, this could be your next bucket-list drive. Just make sure you're prepared for the intensity.