
SR251, the road of the megatsunami
Italy, europe
52.7 km
836 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Strada Regionale 251, right on the border of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia in northern Italy. This totally paved road stretches for about 53 kilometers from Longarone to Maniago, winding its way along the Vajont River. Fair warning: it gets a little narrow in places.
The views are unreal, especially when you catch sight of the Vajont Dam. But here's where it gets heavy: this area was the site of a massive environmental disaster back in '63. A landslide triggered a tsunami in the Vajont lake, creating a wave that wiped out villages and caused so much devastation. It's a sobering reminder as you drive through this stunning landscape.
You'll climb up to Passo di Sant'Osvaldo, which sits at 836 meters above sea level, and pass through quite a few tunnels, including the super long Galleria Fara that goes on for almost 4 kilometers. Buckle up for a drive that's both beautiful and thought-provoking!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 52.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 836 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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