The hairpinned paved road to Lago Alpe del Cavalli

The hairpinned paved road to Lago Alpe del Cavalli

Italy, europe

Length

72 km

Elevation

1,508 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Lago Alpe del Cavalli: Alpine Adventure Awaits

Nestled high in the Italian Alps at 1,508 meters (4,947 feet), Lago Alpe del Cavalli is a stunning mountain lake tucked away in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in Piedmont. And the drive to get there? Pure adrenaline-pumping fun.

Starting from the charming town of Antronapiana (sitting at a modest 923m), you've got a 7.2 km climb ahead of you. Don't let that distance fool you—you'll be gaining 585 meters of elevation, which translates to an average gradient of 8.1%. The road is paved, which is a relief, but it's narrow and relentless, with 26 hairpin turns that'll keep your hands firmly on the wheel.

The scenery more than makes up for the technical driving, though. As you wind your way up through the mountain terrain, each switchback rewards you with increasingly spectacular alpine views. This is the kind of road that separates the casual drivers from the enthusiasts—challenging enough to feel like a real achievement, but totally doable if you take your time and respect the road.

Pro tip: Take it slow on those hairpins, enjoy the panoramic views, and savor every moment of this Italian alpine experience.

Where is it?

The hairpinned paved road to Lago Alpe del Cavalli is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.1320, 12.6452

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Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
72 km
Max Elevation
1,508 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
42.1320, 12.6452

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