Spina Pass is an adventure track you will never forget

Spina Pass is an adventure track you will never forget

Italy, europe

Length

20.1 km

Elevation

1,521 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

# Passo della Spina: A Wild Ride Through the Orobie Alps

Want to experience a truly unforgettable drive? The Anfo Ridge Road might be exactly what you're looking for. Perched at 1,521 meters (4,990 feet) in Brescia, Lombardy, this 20.1-kilometer beast stretches east-west from Anfo to Passo del Maniva, taking you through some seriously stunning alpine terrain.

This isn't your average mountain pass. Originally traced by Roman soldiers centuries ago, the mostly unpaved route climbs through four high passes—Passo Baremone (1,450m), Passo della Spina (1,521m), Passo della Berga (1,527m), and Passo del Dosso Alto (1,727m)—with four short unlit tunnels adding to the adventure. The road even got a makeover in 2010 with new tunnels bypassing the scariest narrow sections.

Fair warning: this is definitely not for the faint of heart. Expect narrow, pothole-filled pavement, steep grades up to 12 percent, exposed precipices, rockfall hazards, and tight corners that'll keep you white-knuckling the wheel. Speed limits are capped at 20 km/h for good reason, and oversized vehicles (wider than 2.5m or taller than 3.2m) aren't allowed.

The road spent six years closed after a landslide but reopened in 2009. Its rough condition and lack of maintenance mean traffic remains sparse—exactly what makes it feel like your own private alpine playground. Open June through October (weather permitting), this is one scenic, stony, dusty adventure that'll make for unforgettable stories.

Where is it?

Spina Pass is an adventure track you will never forget is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 41.4203, 11.3277

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
20.1 km
Max Elevation
1,521 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
41.4203, 11.3277

Related Roads in europe

Kalin Reservoir is one of the highest mountain roads of Bulgariamoderate

Kalin Reservoir is one of the highest mountain roads of Bulgaria

🌍 Bulgaria

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're in Bulgaria's Kyustendil Province and craving a serious off-the-beaten-path experience, you NEED to check out Kalin Reservoir. We're talking about one of the highest roads in the whole country, clocking in at 2,398m (7,867ft) above sea level. Nestled south of Karagyol Reservoir in southwest Bulgaria, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The 18km (11.18 miles) route, aptly named Road to Vintcheto, kicks off from the small mountain village of Pastra. Be warned: this baby is mostly concrete, and not the smooth kind! Expect a bumpy ride on this road, which is allegedly the highest concrete-paved road in the Balkans! Road to Vintcheto boasts a whopping 28 hairpin turns with an average gradient of nine per cent (some parts even hit 20%!). A high-clearance vehicle is definitely your friend here. The summit, marked by a crumbling old building, sits even higher at 2.553m (8,375ft), but this section's usually snowed in from late October to early July. Built way back in the 40s, this climb offers breathtaking panoramic views on a clear day. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road... those switchbacks are intense!

Silvella Passhard

Silvella Pass

🇮🇹 Italy

# Passo Silvella: A High-Alpine Adventure Perched at 2,329 meters (7,641 feet) in the heart of the southern Alps, Passo Silvella—also called Kniebergsattel—sits in Italy's stunning Veneto region. This isn't your typical leisurely mountain drive, folks. The route winds through the Vallorera Valley on what's essentially an old military trail, and let's be real: it's rough. Expect gravel, rocks, and plenty of bumps along the way. The road is narrow and seriously exposed, with steep stretches that'll test your nerve—we're talking about an average gradient of 12% over 4.5km of climbing. If heights aren't your thing or unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, this probably isn't the pass for you. This is pure adventure terrain, best tackled by experienced drivers who know their way around challenging terrain. Wet conditions turn things genuinely tricky, as the muddy surface can be pretty unforgiving. Come winter, the road closes entirely—this is strictly a fair-weather route. Here's the kicker: the final push to the summit is off-limits to private vehicles, so you'll need to abandon your car at some point. But for those with the skills and courage to attempt it, the views and sense of accomplishment are absolutely worth it.

Pla de Berethard

Pla de Beret

🇪🇸 Spain

# Pla de Beret Tucked away in Spain's Val d'Aran Valley in Catalonia, Pla de Beret sits pretty at 1,881m elevation in the heart of the Pyrenees. The mountain views here? Absolutely stunning—the kind that'll have you pulling over constantly just to take it all in. The road up is the C-142B, and thankfully it's fully paved. Starting from Baqueira on the C-28, you're looking at a 6.5km climb with 9 tight hairpin turns that'll keep you on your toes. You'll gain 397 meters of elevation over that stretch, averaging around 6.1% gradient with some steeper sections hitting 9%—nothing too extreme, but definitely noticeable. Fair warning though: winter can mean temporary closures, so check conditions before you go. The road gets noticeably busier on weekends and holidays, and during ski season it can get pretty packed. But here's the cool part—this climb has earned its stripes as a Tour de France and Vuelta a España stage, so you're literally following in the wheel tracks of the pros. If you're planning a mountain drive through the Pyrenees, this one delivers both the challenge and the scenery in equal measure.

Colverde Refugehard

Colverde Refuge

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, picture this: you're in the Italian Dolomites, in the gorgeous Primiero valley, ready for an adventure. Forget the well-paved tourist traps, we're heading up to Rifugio Colverde, a mountain hut perched at almost 6,500 feet! Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a rough and ready, unpaved service road – think chairlift access, not luxury sedan. It's only a little over a mile long from the parking lot off Via Passo Rolle in San Martino di Castrozza, but in that short distance, you climb over 1500 feet! That's an insane average gradient of over 23%, with sections hitting a crazy 30%. Expect a steep dirt track winding through the woods, maybe a bit washed out. And hold onto your hat, because up here, the wind *always* seems to be howling. But trust me, the views from the top are worth every bump and gust. Get ready for some serious scenery!