Picco Palù-Großer Moosstock
Italy, europe
N/A
2,490 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Picco Palù, also known as Großer Moosstock! This South Tyrol gem in Italy hits a whopping 2,490 meters (8,169 feet), so buckle up for some serious altitude.
Nestled inside the Parco Naturale Vedrette di Ries – Aurina, getting to the top isn't your average Sunday drive. Think rocky, think gravel, think chairlift access trail. Yep, this is more of a hike than a road trip! The slope is seriously steep, with loose stones adding to the fun, and it gets even rockier as you climb. We're talking a ski-station service road with sections hitting a wild 25% gradient. The good news? You're in the stunning Venediger Group, so the views are out of this world. The catch? You only have a tiny window (think late August) to tackle this beast.
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,490 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Cesare Branca Refuge?
🇮🇹 Italy
Cesare Branca al Lago delle Rosole is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of above sea level, located in the Where is Cesare Branca Refuge? The hut is located in the , in the northern part of the country, in the . It’s located a few meters away from the scenic Why is it called Cesare Branca Refuge? , a Milanese lawyer and mountaineer. When was Cesare Branca Refuge built? thanks to a donation from , who wished to honor the memory of her brother , a well-known and respected Milanese mountaineer of the time. The project was designed by engineer Cesare De Micheli Milan section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) , the refuge was inaugurated in . Over the years, it was expanded several times to improve functionality and accommodate more visitors. , the refuge was complemented by the Rifugio Genesio Martinelli , a long-time caretaker of the Branca refuge, in memory of his brother. A few years later, in , the Milan section oversaw the construction of a modern and functional expansion of Rifugio Branca, further enhancing its facilities for mountaineers and hikers. How long is the road to Cesare Branca Refuge? The road to the refuge is totally unpaved, very narrow, and steep long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is , and the average gradient is Is the road to Cesare Branca Refuge open? Parco Nazionale dello , the road is usually open from mid-June through mid-September only to authorized vehicles The Italian Road That Stops Just Short of the Ultimate Danger Zone (Mount Vesuvius, Italy) Discover Italy’s Essence with Every Hertz Car Hire 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.
extremeWhat is the climb to Col de la Roubine like?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're in southeastern France, deep in the Mercantour National Park, about to tackle Col de la Roubine. This isn't just a drive; it's a 4x4 adventure back in time. This high mountain pass sits way up there, splitting the Tinée Valley from Italy, and the views? Totally worth the white knuckles. Built in the 30s as part of a military defense network, the road's a bit rough around the edges. Think rocky, loose gravel snaking through a crazy, lunar landscape. It's mostly silent up there, save for the wind that's ALWAYS howling. The climb kicks off from the Isola 2000 ski resort, but don't be fooled – this is no ski bunny trail. It's a gnarly service track, and you NEED a high-clearance 4x4. Seriously. The road is bumpy and tippy, especially on those hairpin turns. It's shorter than some of the other passes around here, but don't underestimate it. The gradient is brutal, hitting 20% in spots. With loose stone everywhere, traction is a challenge, and engine braking is your best friend on the way down. Best time to go? Aim for late July to September. The rest of the year, it's snowed in. And watch the weather! Rain turns the rocks into an ice rink, and those high winds can be downright dangerous. Check in with the Isola resort folks before you head out to make sure the tracks are open. Trust me, this is one for the books.
hardIs Passo delle Erbe (Würzjoch) paved?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Italian Dolomites in South Tyrol, headed for Passo delle Erbe – or Würzjoch, if you're feeling local. This baby's a fully paved road (SP29), clocking in at around 45 km (28 miles) between Brixen and San Martino in Badia, linking Val Badia and the Lüsen valley. At the top, you're rewarded with a sweet 1,993m (6,538ft) elevation, plus a hotel, restaurant, and plenty of parking. Heads up though, this road is a bit of a wild child! Expect narrow sections where you might be playing the waiting game with oncoming traffic. And those ramps? Let's just say they can hit a seriously steep 16.3% gradient, so be prepared for a climb! Good news: the eastern side's generally open year-round. The western side? It's more of a fair-weather friend, usually accessible from mid-spring to late autumn. Trust me, the views of the Dolomites are worth the potential nail-biting moments!
hardWhere is Timmelsjoch Pass (Passo del Rombo)?
🇦🇹 Austria
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Timmelsjoch Pass, also called Passo del Rombo, straddling the Austrian-Italian border high in the Ötztal Alps. At a cool 2,479m (8,133ft), you're practically breathing the same air as the alpine gods! This isn't just any road trip; it's a high-altitude adventure connecting Austria's Ötztal valley with Italy's Passeier Valley. Construction wrapped in the late 1950s, and it’s been a must-drive for anyone craving hairpin turns and insane views ever since. The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road is a toll road that clocks in at 34.6km (21.49 miles) of pure driving bliss (11.9 km in Austria and 22.7 km in Italy). We're talking 60 turns, 30 of them hairpins, and gradients that can hit nearly 13%! Convertibles, motorcycles, mountain bikes – you name it, this road was made for it. Heads up, though: Italian side has some restrictions thanks to narrow bits and bridge work, so double-check for your vehicle type. No massive buses or lorries allowed. The pass is typically open from early June to late October, 7 am to 8 pm, but don’t underestimate Mother Nature. This place can get seriously snowy, with winds that'll bite right through you. Give yourself around 90-100 minutes to soak it all in, and plan for some stops. You'll be snaking past glaciers, crystal-clear streams, and rock faces that look like they were sculpted by giants. The road itself is top-notch, so you can focus on the epic scenery. Trust me, this isn't just a drive; it's an experience.