Plan Maison

Plan Maison

Italy, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,552 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Plan Maison, nestled way up in the Italian Aosta Valley, is calling your name. We're talking a dizzying 2,552 meters (8,372 feet) above sea level!

Now, this isn't your typical smooth tarmac cruise. Think rocky, think gravel, think chairlift access trail – because that's exactly what it is. This is seriously one of Italy's highest roads, so bragging rights are definitely on the table.

Be warned, though: "steep" doesn't even begin to cover it. We're talking loose stones, and it just gets steeper and rockier as you climb. The window to tackle this beast is tiny – late August, usually. The wind? Relentless. Seriously, pack layers because even in summer, snow isn't out of the question. Winter? Forget about it – brutally cold. Expect a ski-station service road with some insane sections clocking in at a 10% gradient.

But hey, the summit? Totally worth it. You'll find restaurants, hotels, and shops. A welcome oasis after that climb.

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Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,552 m
Difficulty
hard

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