The winding road to Maniva Pass in the Alps and its 38 iconic hairpin turns

The winding road to Maniva Pass in the Alps and its 38 iconic hairpin turns

Italy, europe

Length

19.3 km

Elevation

1,664 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Passo del Maniva

Ready for an epic Alpine adventure? Passo del Maniva sits pretty at 1,664m (5,459ft) in Lombardy's Brescia province, and it's absolutely worth the drive. This fully paved beauty—officially called Strada provinciale Bresciana 345 delle Tre Valli (or SP BS 345)—stretches 19.3 km (11.99 miles) from San Colombano to Bagolino, running west to east through some seriously stunning Italian Alps scenery.

What makes this pass special? For starters, there's a ski station at the summit, plus it's the gateway to two legendary rides: the gnarly SP345B road heading north and the notorious Anfo Ridge Road dropping south. The views are genuinely incredible, but fair warning—this route isn't a leisurely Sunday cruise.

You're looking at 38 hairpin turns, narrow sections that'll keep your palms sweaty, and some seriously steep gradients that hit up to 14.6%. This is a road that demands respect and solid driving skills. If you've got the experience and nerve to tackle it, though, Passo del Maniva delivers an unforgettable ride through some of Europe's most dramatic Alpine terrain.

Where is it?

The winding road to Maniva Pass in the Alps and its 38 iconic hairpin turns is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.6785, 13.2626

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
19.3 km
Max Elevation
1,664 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
42.6785, 13.2626

Related Roads in europe

Bocca de Sevihard

Bocca de Sevi

🇫🇷 France

# Bocca de Sevi: Corsica's Steep Mountain Challenge Tucked away in Corse-du-Sud on the beautiful island of Corsica, Bocca de Sevi (also called Col de Sevi) sits at a respectable 1,101 meters above sea level. This is the kind of pass that rewards adventurous drivers with seriously stunning views. The D70 road up here is fully asphalted—good news for your tires—but don't let that fool you. This route gets *steep*, with some sections hitting 8.8%, so you'll definitely feel your car working. The real fun is choosing your approach. Coming from Pont de Belfiori is the shortest and spiciest option: just 12.5 km but a gnarly 875-meter elevation gain averaging 7%. If you prefer a more measured climb, start from Sagone for a 21 km journey with 1,097 meters of elevation gain (5.2% average). Looking for the most leisurely ascent? Porto Marina offers the longest route at 27.6 km, but the gradient chills out to a mellow 4% average with 1,091 meters total elevation. Expect a thrilling balcony road experience as you weave through the dramatic Gorges de Trente-Pas, with Lac de la Glère beckoning with some seriously photogenic scenery. Pick your route based on how much adrenaline you're after, but no matter which way you go, this Corsican gem delivers an unforgettable ride.

The road to Alto de Despiernacaballos, a hidden gemhard

The road to Alto de Despiernacaballos, a hidden gem

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the heart of Andalusia, Spain, nestled within the stunning Sierra de Segura mountains, lies Alto de Despiernacaballos. This mountain pass climbs to a cool 1,580m (5,183ft) offering views that'll have you reaching for your camera! The road, snaking through the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, is paved but be warned: it's narrow and steep in places. This route, only fully paved since 2012, is a sweet 11.6 km (7.20 miles) jaunt from La Toba up to Santiago de la Espada. But here's the kicker: this isn't just a scenic drive, it's a workout! Expect an average gradient of 5.8%, with some sections throwing a brutal 21.8% incline your way. Keep an eye on the weather, especially in winter. Snow can make things tricky, and the road might be closed temporarily. Rockfalls and landslides are also a possibility after heavy rains. But those incredible views? Totally worth it!

The road to Rikoti Pass isn’t an easy onehard

The road to Rikoti Pass isn’t an easy one

🇬🇪 Georgia

Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! There's this totally epic mountain pass in Georgia called Pereval Rikotskiy, sitting pretty high at 1,011m (3,316ft). It's perched right on the edge between Shida Kartli and Imereti, connecting the east and west of the country. Now, this isn't your grandma's Sunday drive. The road, aka შ 56, is paved, but hold on tight – it's steep, like up to 10.6% steep in places, and pretty narrow. Think twisty-turny fun with a side of "wow, that's a drop!" Nestled in the Likhi Range of the Greater Caucasus mountains, this 4.4km (2.73 miles) stretch is a feast for the eyes. Imagine lush green scenery and views so stunning they'll make your jaw drop. Seriously, bring your camera! Word is, the old Tbilisi-Kutaisi highway route was a bit much, so they built the Rikoti Pass Tunnel back in '82 to make things easier. But guess what? The original road is still there, totally open, and waiting for you if you’re up for the challenge. Ditch the tunnel and take the road less traveled!

Discover Switzerland’s 7 Most Spectacular Mountain Passes for Drivershard

Discover Switzerland’s 7 Most Spectacular Mountain Passes for Drivers

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Switzerland: A Driver's Paradise in the Heart of Europe Switzerland is calling, and if you're someone who lives for the open road, this country should be at the top of your bucket list. Picture this: snowcapped peaks, lush green valleys, and crystal-clear lakes all around you as you navigate some of Europe's most thrilling mountain passes. It's basically a dream road trip come to life. Driving through Switzerland's famous passes is genuinely unforgettable. The scenery alone—world-class mountains, dramatic valleys, and pristine alpine lakes—will have you pulling over constantly just to snap photos. You'll wind past iconic castles, discover hidden waterfalls, and encounter vistas that honestly can't be captured properly on camera. Plus, there's serious historical significance woven throughout these routes. **A few things to keep in mind:** Take it easy on those curves (seriously, no need to pretend you're a race car driver), and remember that many passes close when winter rolls around. Also, if you're bringing a trailer or mobile home, some of these roads are too narrow or steep for that setup. And here's a friendly heads-up about mountain road etiquette—vehicles heading downhill need to pull over and let uphill traffic through. If you're craving an adrenaline rush, Swiss Alpine driving delivers. We're talking hair-raising hairpin turns, steep climbs, and challenges that'll get your heart pumping. But it's not all white-knuckle driving—most passes have restaurants, hotels, charming churches, and hiking trails where you can stretch your legs and soak in the atmosphere.