
The Inhumane Climb to Fodara Vedla Refuge with 27% Ramps
Italy, europe
14.7 km
1,548 m
hard
Year-round
# Rifugio Fodara Vedla: The Alps' Most Insane Climb
Want to experience what might be the steepest road in the entire Alps? Welcome to Rifugio Fodara Vedla, a high-altitude mountain refuge sitting pretty at 1,980 m (6,496 ft) in Italy's South Tyrol region.
Tucked within the stunning Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park in the Dolomites, this incredible destination is perched on the Sennes plateau. The route to get there follows an old military road built by the Austrian army back in the day—which honestly explains why it's so beautifully intense.
The adventure kicks off from San Vigilio di Marebbe and stretches 14.7 km (9.13 miles) total. The first section is straightforward enough—smooth, paved road taking you to Rifugio Pederu at 1,548 m elevation. But here's where things get wild.
From Rifugio Pederu onward, the surface changes to concrete for 3 km. Then comes the final section—an unpaved, vehicle-restricted gauntlet that'll test every ounce of your nerve. This is where you'll encounter a legendary sequence of 9 hairpin turns that climb from 1,621 m to 1,767 m in just 550 meters of road. We're talking a gradient steeper than 26.5%—and yeah, it's absolutely brutal in the best way possible.
This isn't your average Alpine drive. It's legendary for a reason.
Where is it?
The Inhumane Climb to Fodara Vedla Refuge with 27% Ramps is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.6530, 11.5585
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,548 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.6530, 11.5585
Related Roads in europe
moderateDriving the tricky 570 Road around the Snaefellsjökull glacier
🇮🇸 Iceland
Get ready for a wild ride on Route 570 (Jökulshálsvegur) in western Iceland! This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's an off-road adventure across the western edge of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, and you'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle it. Hidden inside Snæfellsjökull National Park, this road is seriously steep and the surface is covered in loose gravel. Expect potholes, blind turns, and surprise hills that will keep you on your toes. Seriously, you NEED a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle for this one. The road can be pretty rough, with plenty of big rocks to navigate. And if the clouds are low, you might find yourself driving right through them! But the views! You'll be surrounded by an almost lunar landscape that's as bumpy as it is beautiful. Don't expect to see many other cars out here – it's a pretty secluded route. So, it’s best not to travel alone. Even though Route 570 has been improved, it still feels like an F-road adventure. Google Maps might even still mark it as F570. You won't have to ford any rivers, but remember this is a mountain road, and snow can linger for a long time. This 18.3km (11.37 miles) stretch connects Arnarstapi (or Stapi) on the south side of the peninsula to Ólafsvík on the north side, running between Faxaflói bay and Breiðafjörður fjord. The views are insane, especially of Snæfellsjökull, the 700,000-year-old glacier-topped volcano. Lava is everywhere, in every shape and texture. You’ll feel like you’ve landed on another planet! As one of Iceland's highest roads, topping out at 658m (2,158ft), it usually only opens during the summer months (late June to early September). This one's not for the faint of heart if you're afraid of heights, but once you reach the top, the panoramic views of the entire Snæfellsnes peninsula are absolutely worth it.
Col du Mollard: an iconic road in the French Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Col du Mollard: Alpine Pass with Tour de France Pedigree Nestled in the Savoie department of the French Alps, Col du Mollard sits at a respectable 1,638 meters (5,374 feet) above sea level. This is the real deal—a mountain pass that's actually made it onto the Tour de France circuit more than once, which tells you something about its credentials. The road up is fully paved, thankfully, but don't expect a leisurely cruise. The D80 is narrow and demands respect. You'll tackle some seriously steep sections hitting 11.3% gradients that'll have your calves burning if you're on a bike. Coming from the D926-D80 junction, the climb stretches 5.7 km with 390 meters of elevation gain, averaging out to 6.8%. If you're starting from Montrond instead, you're looking at nearly identical conditions—5.69 km, 393 meters of gain, averaging 6.9%. At the summit, there's a cute little village that transforms into a winter ski resort when the snow rolls in. The whole area is a proper Alpine playground, and you can link it up with other legendary climbs like Col de la Croix de Fer to really make a day of it. Just watch out for the usual Alpine suspects: Le Mauvais Pass is a narrow, technical section that demands concentration, and the summit can get gnarly with water, snow, and thick fog rolling in without warning. But if you're after a genuinely memorable Alpine driving experience with some serious cycling heritage, Col du Mollard absolutely delivers.
hardWhere is Col du Mont?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! Col du Mont, nestled in the northwestern part of the country near the French border, is calling your name. From Surier, near that quaint little chapel, it’s a wild 2.7 km (1.67 miles) sprint to the summit. Now, hold on tight, because this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking totally unpaved terrain – defiant, even! Expect steep climbs and sections so narrow you'll be holding your breath. And a word to the wise: plan your trip for the warmer months. Perched high in the Alps, this road is usually snowed in and totally impassable during the winter. But the views? Absolutely worth the challenge!
hardWhere is the Edelweissspitze?
🇦🇹 Austria
Okay, picture this: you're in the heart of Austria, Salzburg to be exact, and you're heading up to the Edelweissspitze, a mountain peak that's seriously high up. At the very top, you'll find a mountain inn, built way back in 1935, and trust me, it's been *the* place to be ever since. The views? Unreal. You're talking about seeing thirty-seven peaks that are over 3,000 meters high! The road itself? Oh, it's an adventure. Paved all the way, but get ready for some serious curves and hairpin turns, especially that final stretch. It's not crazy difficult, but it's narrow, so keep that in mind if you're driving anything bigger than a regular vehicle (no caravans or heavy vehicles allowed!). This little detour is part of the larger Grossglockner High Alpine Road. The Edelweissspitze stretch is only a small part of the whole experience. The whole thing climbs quite a bit! Get ready for awesome scenery and a drive you won't forget!