Road trip guide: Conquering Cima Palon

Road trip guide: Conquering Cima Palon

Italy, europe

Length

1.98 km

Elevation

2,067 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure awaits in Italy's Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region! Let's talk about Cima Palon, a lofty peak sitting pretty at 2,067 meters (that's 6,781 feet for you). Nestled in the pre-Alps' Pasubio range, getting to the very top is an experience.

The road is actually a chairlift service road, so leave your car behind, as it's unpaved and off-limits to personal vehicles. Once you arrive at the peak, you'll discover communication towers, a bar, and a fascinating peek into history. Cima Palon was once an Italian WWI station, and the old trench systems and shell craters are still visible!

Keep in mind that from late October to May, this route is completely snowed in. The road is a steep climb starting from a parking lot on the Strada Provinciale 85 (SP85). It's just under 2 kilometers (1.23 miles) but packs in a hefty 417 meters of elevation gain. We're talking an average grade of over 21%! Get ready for incredible views overlooking the city of Trento, too.

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Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
1.98 km
Max Elevation
2,067 m
Difficulty
hard

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