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.

Share this road

Road Details

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

Related Roads in europe

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Road SP345Bhard

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Road SP345B

🇮🇹 Italy

# Strada Provinziale 345B: Italy's Alpine Adventure Ready for a high-altitude road trip? The SP345B, affectionately called Delle Tre Valli (Road of Three Valleys), is tucked away in Brescia Province in Lombardy's stunning northern reaches. This isn't your typical highway—it's a rugged mountain experience that keeps you above 1,900 meters for almost the entire 17.2km stretch. Running north-south between Passo di Croce Domini and Passo del Maniva, this is a mixed-surface adventure. You'll navigate mostly paved sections interspersed with gravel patches, all passable in a regular passenger vehicle. Fair warning though: it's narrow, rocky in spots, and curvy—which means a 20 km/h speed limit keeps things real. Overtaking is off-limits, and you'll only stop in designated parking areas. Plan on 45 to 60 minutes to conquer the whole thing. The climb is relentless and rewarding, whisking you over ten different mountain passes, including Dosso dei Galli at an impressive 2,188 meters. The scenery? Absolutely worth the slow roll through those Alpine vistas. Just one catch: winter shuts this route down completely. Depending on snowmelt and seasonal snowfall, the road opens and closes unpredictably each year, so check conditions before you head out. Summer and early fall are your windows for this incredible high-altitude drive.

A wild road to Refuge Grand Tournalinmoderate

A wild road to Refuge Grand Tournalin

🇮🇹 Italy

# Refuge Grand Tournalin: Alpine Adventure at 8,316 Feet Tucked away in the stunning Pennine Alps of Italy's Aosta Valley, the Refuge Grand Tournalin sits pretty at a seriously impressive 2,535 meters (8,316 feet) above sea level. Yep, it's genuinely one of Italy's highest mountain roads – no exaggeration needed. This charming three-story stone and copper building has been welcoming mountain lovers since 1994, when the Becquet family built it in the grassy Alpe Tournalin Superior basin. It's got 45 cozy beds for those looking to experience true alpine hospitality in the heart of the Pennine Alps, that dramatic western section of the Alps that'll make your jaw drop. Getting here? You'll need a sturdy 4WD vehicle, because the road is pure gravel all the way up – definitely not your typical Sunday drive. The trade-off? Absolutely jaw-dropping mountain scenery that makes every bump in the road worth it. Keep in mind though: this is a seasonal spot, typically only open during a few weeks in summer, so you'll want to plan ahead and check before you head out. If you're after that genuine high-altitude mountain experience with a side of spectacular views, this is the real deal.

The picturesque road to Pas de Morginsmoderate

The picturesque road to Pas de Morgins

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Pas de Morgins: Alpine Adventure Between Two Countries Ready for a killer alpine crossing? Pas de Morgins sits pretty at 1,378m (4,520ft) right on the Switzerland-France border, making it the perfect excuse for a European road trip. This fully paved beauty connects Switzerland's Valais canton with the French Haute-Savoie region, and honestly, it's got everything—stunning mountain scenery, charming towns, and some genuinely fun driving. The complete route runs about 30.4 km (18.88 miles) from Abondance to Monthey, and here's the good news: it stays open year-round. You're looking at a maximum gradient of 10.5% on some sections, so it's challenging but totally manageable for most drivers. Each side offers its own vibe. **From the French side** (starting in Abondance), you've got an 8km climb that's relatively chill until the final 800m kicks up to 8%—perfect for building drama as you approach the summit. **From Switzerland** (Monthey side), the first 11km are grittier with steep 7-8% averages and that gnarly 10% max gradient. But here's the payoff: the last 6km ease up beautifully to just 2-5%, with those final meters actually descending as you crest the plateau. The summit itself sits on a sprawling mountain plateau that'll make your Instagram followers jealous. Whether you're tackling this from north or south, you're in for a treat—winding roads, Alpine views, and that satisfying feeling of conquering a classic European pass.

Hüdavendigar Dağıhard

Hüdavendigar Dağı

🇹🇷 Turkey

Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Hüdavendigar Dağı! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Nestled way up in Ağrı Province, in eastern Turkey, you'll find this beast of a mountain pass. We're talking a whopping 3,111 meters (10,206 feet) above sea level – one of the highest roads in all of Turkey! The road to the top? Gravel, baby! So buckle up for a bumpy ride. Be warned, though: Mother Nature calls the shots here. Thunderstorms can roll in fast, turning the road into a 4x4-only zone or even making it completely impassable. Plus, ice and snow can be serious hazards, so take it slow and steady. But trust me, the views from up here are worth every single white-knuckle moment. The scenery is absolutely epic!