
The road to Monte Festa is not for the faint of heart
Italy, europe
4 km
1,065 m
extreme
Year-round
# Monte Festa: A Historic Mountain Adventure
Perched at 1,065 meters (3,494 feet) in the Province of Udine, right in the heart of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Monte Festa is a mountain pass that'll take your breath away—literally and figuratively.
This isn't your typical scenic drive. The road itself is a relic from 1910, originally built as a military route, and it shows in the best possible way. We're talking gravel mixed with concrete patches, steep grades, and hairpin turns that just keep coming. The narrow path winds its way up with hundreds of meters of unprotected drops on either side, which definitely adds some adrenaline to the experience. Fair warning: the road is now closed to motor vehicles, so you'll be hiking it, but that somehow makes the whole experience even more special.
Once you summit, you'll find Forte di Monte Festa, a WWI fortress that's weathered the decades beautifully despite some battle scars. It's genuinely one of the most captivating remnants of the Great War in the region. Bring a good camera—the photo ops are absolutely stellar.
Keep an eye out for the old cable car remains that once connected Monte Festa to Amaro (about 4 kilometers away as the crow flies), plus some fascinating tunnels carved into the mountainside. It's the kind of place where history, nature, and adventure collide perfectly.
Where is it?
The road to Monte Festa is not for the faint of heart is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.8232, 12.0230
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,065 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 42.8232, 12.0230
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Colle di Costa Piana?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Let's talk about Colle di Costa Piana, sitting pretty at 2313 meters (that's 7588 feet!) in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy. You'll find this gem – also called Colle Cotte Plain – nestled in the northern part of Italy. It's part of the legendary SP173, the road that winds its way from Susa to Sestriere through the breathtaking western Italian Alps. Now, the road to the top? Think rugged, unpaved goodness, hugging the ridge from Pian dell’Alpe to Sestriere. There's a 30 km/h speed limit, so chill out and enjoy the views. Overtaking and parking willy-nilly are a no-no. Sure, it's a bit rough around the edges, especially on those curves, but totally doable. Heads up though – this road is a summer fling only! Usually, it's open from June 1st to October 31st. Get ready for insane views!
hardWhere is Col du Pré?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps in the Savoie region, and you stumble upon the Col du Pré. This high mountain pass sits at a cool 1,703m (5,587ft), with a sign calling out "Monte de Col du Pre" just a bit higher at 1,755m (5,757ft). This road is totally paved, but don't think it's a breeze! It's narrow and quiet, packed with hairpin turns that'll keep you on your toes. Because it's sheltered, it can get super warm. The Col du Pré stretches for about 10.9km (6.77 miles) from somewhere near Les Gérats, and let me tell you, it's steep! We're talking a max gradient of 13.0% in spots. Three sections hit around 11%, and the final stretch averages over 10%. Ouch! It even showed up in the Tour de France. So, is it worth the effort? Absolutely! The views from the top are unreal – think deep blue Lac de Roselend and its dam surrounded by mountains. Plus, you get mind-blowing glimpses of Mont Blanc as you get closer to the summit. Seriously, this road is a feast for the eyes.
moderateIs Suleskarvegen paved?
🇳🇴 Norway
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! Suleskarvegen—or Suleskardveien if you’re feeling fancy—is calling your name. This killer route winds through the mountains of southwestern Norway, serving up views that’ll make your jaw drop. We're talking fjords, mountains, the whole shebang! The road itself? Paved all the way, but hold onto your hats because it gets NARROW. Seriously, some stretches are just one lane, adding a little thrill to the ride. And speaking of thrills, get ready for some steep climbs! You'll be hitting gradients of up to 12.5% in places. This beauty clocks in at around 41.6 km (25.84 miles), connecting Suleskard and Rysstad, and it's known as one of Norway's best motorcycle routes for a reason. Just a heads up: this road is a seasonal superstar. Tucked high in the Setesdalsheiene mountains, reaching 1,056m (3,464ft), it gets blanketed in snow, so it's typically closed from November to late May. Plan accordingly!
moderateWhere is Malga Palazzo?
🇮🇹 Italy
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Scanuppia-Malga Palazzo in Trentino, Italy! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a climb to 1,571 meters (that's 5,154 feet for my American friends) of pure, unadulterated adrenaline. Nestled in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region, this hidden gem, also called Salita Scanuppia, kicks off near Besenello. The stats? A mere 8 kilometers (or roughly 5 miles), but don't let the distance fool you. You'll be wrestling your way up 1,317 meters with an average gradient of 18.1%. Why is everyone talking about it? Because it's rumored to be the steepest paved climb in Europe (or even the world!). Seriously, there are sections that hit a mind-blowing 42.8%. And the road itself? Well, it's paved...sort of. Think concrete with a seriously wavy surface – like giant ripples built in for extra grip, especially useful when snow and ice hit the Dolomite mountain range. So, get ready for a bumpy, breathtaking, and utterly unforgettable ride!