Sella dell’Auccia is worth the white-knuckle drive

Sella dell’Auccia is worth the white-knuckle drive

Italy, europe

Length

17.4 km

Elevation

2,108 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Sella dell'Auccia: Italy's Most Thrilling Alpine Challenge

Ready for an adrenaline rush? The SP345B winds through Sella dell'Auccia, a jaw-dropping mountain pass perched at 2,108 meters (6,916 feet) in Brescia province, Lombardy. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—it's an adventure that'll make your heart pound.

Stretching 17.4 km (10.81 miles), this road (officially Strada Provinciale 345B, aka Delle Tre Valli) is pure mountain magic. The route clings to the ridgeline above 2,000 meters for almost its entire length, offering spine-tingling views and stomach-dropping drops of hundreds of meters. Here's the kicker: most of those edges? Completely unguarded. In some sections, the road barely fits two vehicles side-by-side, making every curve an exercise in concentration.

The journey kicks off from Passo del Maniva along the Anfo Ridge Road and wraps up at the SP 669 junction. You'll encounter a mix of surfaces—pavement at both ends, but gloriously rough gravel through the middle section. Expect rocks, potholes, and deteriorating surfaces, especially around bends. Despite the gnarly terrain, it's totally doable if you respect the rules: stick to the 20 km/h speed limit, keep your eyes forward, and never stop outside designated areas.

Traversable in both directions, this road is for serious drivers only. Buckle up—you're in for the ride of your life.

Where is it?

Sella dell’Auccia is worth the white-knuckle drive is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 43.0490, 12.1870

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Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
17.4 km
Max Elevation
2,108 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
43.0490, 12.1870

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