The climb to Monte Zoncolan is even harder than it sounds
Italy, europe
23.6 km
1,732 m
hard
Year-round
# Monte Zoncolan: Italy's Brutal Alpine Beast
Tucked into the Carnic Alps near Italy's Austrian border, Monte Zoncolan sits at a jaw-dropping 1,732 meters (5,682 feet) and absolutely lives up to its nickname—the King of the Carnic Alps. This isn't a gentle scenic drive; it's a full-on mountaineering challenge on wheels.
The fully paved **Strada Provinciale 123** stretches 23.6 kilometers (14.66 miles) from the small village of Ovaro to Sutrio, cutting through the heart of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in northwestern Italy. Most drivers tackle this beast in 45-60 minutes of white-knuckling, gear-grinding driving time.
What makes Zoncolan so legendarily brutal? The numbers tell the story. We're talking maximum gradients that hit a punishing **23%**—that's basically driving up a wall. The road features three tunnels and a dizzying 38 hairpin turns that'll test your nerve and your car's brakes. There's even a full kilometer section averaging close to 20% grade. Professional cyclists regularly lose their minds on this climb during the Giro d'Italia, and it's often compared to Spain's notorious Angliru. Though Angliru has a slightly steeper single pitch, Zoncolan's relentless gradient and sheer length make it arguably meaner.
The asphalt got a complete refresh in 2005, so at least the road surface itself won't betray you. At the summit, a parking area and a monument to cyclist climbers await—a fitting tribute to anyone brave (or crazy) enough to conquer this mountain.
Where is it?
The climb to Monte Zoncolan is even harder than it sounds is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 41.1524, 13.6180
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 23.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,732 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 41.1524, 13.6180
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