
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
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