
The wild road to Colle di Perla
Italy, europe
N/A
2,215 m
moderate
Year-round
# Colle di Perla
Nestled in the heart of the Cottian Alps, Colle di Perla sits pretty at 2,215 meters (7,267 feet) above sea level, straddling the France-Italy border. This gravel and rocky mountain pass has some serious history—it was originally carved out for military purposes back during World War II, and you can still feel that no-nonsense engineering as you drive it today.
Fair warning: the road itself is rough and bumpy, so don't expect smooth sailing. Mother Nature also has her say here—the pass is completely closed from November through March, so plan accordingly if you're thinking of tackling this one.
If you're up for a genuine alpine adventure with spectacular mountain views and a road that tells a story, Colle di Perla delivers the goods.
Where is it?
The wild road to Colle di Perla is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 41.3977, 12.5768
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,215 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 41.3977, 12.5768
Related Roads in europe
extremeTrollstigen
🇳🇴 Norway
# Trollstigen: Norway's Most Jaw-Dropping Mountain Drive Ever dreamed of conquering one of Europe's most dramatic roads? Welcome to Trollstigen—"The Troll's Path"—a legitimately legendary mountain route that lives up to the hype. Nestled in Rauma Municipality in More og Romsdal county, this serpentine masterpiece gains 858 meters over eleven perfectly choreographed hairpin bends that'll have your hands gripping the steering wheel (and maybe some passengers gripping their seats). Built between 1928 and 1936, this engineering marvel has become a bucket-list pilgrimage for road-trippers and thrill-seekers worldwide, pulling in hundreds of thousands of visitors every single year. The real magic happens as you climb alongside the absolutely stunning Stigfossen waterfall, which crashes down 320 meters in a mesmerizing freefall. At the top, you'll find an architectural gem—a viewing platform that seems to defy gravity, jutting out over the valley to give you the ultimate Instagram moment. From up there, you can trace every zigzag of the road below while soaking in views of the surrounding peaks: Bispen, Kongen, and Dronningen. Fair warning: with gradients hitting 9% and hairpins tight enough to make you sweat, this isn't a leisurely cruise. Anything longer than 12.4 meters is banned, and even regular-sized vehicles need respect and caution here. The catch? This road only plays along during summer—typically late May through October. Winter snows shut it down completely. But when it's open, it's part of the legendary Geiranger-Trollstigen scenic route, one of Norway's eighteen officially designated masterpieces of natural landscape driving.
hardThe curvy road from Szentendre to Visegrád
🌍 Hungary
Okay, road trippers, listen up! Just north of Budapest in Pest County, you'll find the road from Szentendre to Visegrád, and let me tell you, it's a wild ride! Nestled inside the Duna-Ipoly National Park, this drive is super popular, but fair warning: the road's seen better days. Think cracked pavement and patches galore, so keep your eyes peeled. Traffic's usually not too crazy, so you can (mostly) enjoy the 19.4 kilometers twisting from Szentendre (a cute Danube River town) up to Visegrád, a charming little castle town. And get this—you'll climb to 451 meters (that's 1,479 feet) above sea level! The scenery is absolutely amazing, so take your time!
hardA delightful yet challenging drive to Forcella Chiandolada
🇮🇹 Italy
# Forcella Chiandolada Hidden in the scenic mid-Boite valley, Forcella Chiandolada (also called Forcella Ciandolada) sits at 1,582 meters (5,190 feet) and serves as a stunning gateway between two Dolomites giants—Antelao and Pelmo. Located in Belluno province in Veneto, it's about 68 miles north of Venice and just 30 kilometers from Belluno town. The 6.3-kilometer climb from Vodo di Cadore is no joke—expect an average gradient of 12%, with some sections pushing past 17%. The steepest pitches hit a brutal 25-26%, so bring your A-game. The road is mostly paved with stretches of gravel, but here's the thing: it gets *narrow*. Like, uncomfortably narrow for passing other vehicles. If you're not confident reversing a car, you might want to reconsider or time your visit carefully. Once you reach the top, you'll find Rifugio Giampietro Talamini waiting for you—recently rebuilt and perfect for catching your breath and refueling. It's the kind of reward that makes the white-knuckle drive absolutely worth it.
hardHow to get by car to Lago di Malciaussia?
🇮🇹 Italy
Lago di Malciaussia is a stunning high mountain lake sitting pretty at 1,823 m (5,980 ft) in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy. Tucked into the upper Valle di Viù in Piedmont's northwestern corner near the French border, this spot is an absolute gem for adventure seekers. Here's the cool part: the lake is named after the locality of Malciaussia, which actually got submerged when the lake was created. Right by the water, you'll find a cozy restaurant and hotel—perfect for refueling after your drive. The road itself, Strada Provinciale 32 (SP32), is a total classic. Built back in the 1920s-30s, it's paved but seriously narrow and relentlessly steep—we're talking sections that hit 23%! The final stretch turns to gravel, which marks the real beginning of alpine exploration territory. This is where the serious climbers and hikers kick off their adventures, including attempts on Rocciamelone (3,538 m) via the Ernesto Tazzetti alpine hut. Starting from the town of Margone at 1,413 m, you're looking at a 5.8 km (3.60 mile) push upward with 14 hairpin turns thrown in for good measure. That climb nets you 410 meters of elevation gain, averaging out to a 7.06% gradient—challenging but absolutely rewarding. The scenery throughout is absolutely phenomenal, and once you arrive at the lake, you're perfectly positioned for serious alpine walking and climbing adventures.