Punta di Santa Maria

Punta di Santa Maria

Italy, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,138 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Today we're tackling Punta di Santa Maria, a killer mountain pass sitting pretty at 2,138 meters (that's over 7,000 feet!) in the Italian region of Liguria.

Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road? Think gravel, bumpy, and narrow with hairpin turns that'll test your skills. It's an old military road, so expect a rugged, unpaved surface, and be warned, the combo of loamy and grassy terrain can get super slippery in the wet. Oh, and plan your trip carefully – this bad boy's usually snowed in from September to June!

Did I mention the Ceresole Tunnel nearby? Supposedly, it's the steepest tunnel in the Italian Alps. Get ready for some incredible views.

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Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,138 m
Difficulty
extreme

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