
Strada degli Alpini
Italy, europe
6.7 km
267 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Italy's Veneto region, Treviso province to be exact, ready to tackle the Strada degli Alpini. This isn't just any road; it's a wild, zigzagging climb that's as thrilling as it is scenic!
The road's paved, which is great, but be warned – it gets super narrow in spots. Think "squeeze by" narrow. And if your passengers get carsick easily, maybe give them a heads-up (or Dramamine!). Seriously, the hairpin turns come fast and furious.
Let's talk elevation. You'll start at about 267 meters above sea level and then, over just 6.7 km, you’ll climb a whopping 809 meters! That's an average gradient of 12%, but be prepared for stretches that hit a crazy 20%. Oh, and did I mention the sheer drops along almost the entire route? But hey, think of the views from Chalet de l'Épée Refuge!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 6.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 267 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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