The winding road to Maniva Pass in the Alps and its 38 iconic hairpin turns
Italy, europe
19.3 km
1,664 m
hard
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
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
moderateWhere is Col de Guéry?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the heart of France, in the Puy-de-Dôme area, ready to tackle the Col de Guéry. This isn't just any drive; you're heading up to 1,268 meters (that's 4,160 feet!), and trust me, the views are worth every meter. You'll find this gem in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, right in the country's center. The summit has a huge parking area, perfect for soaking in the scenery. Oh, and did I mention Lac de Guéry? It's the highest lake in Auvergne, sitting pretty right above the pass. The road, known as Route Départementale 983 (or D983 for short), is all paved, making for a smooth ride, but be ready for some steep climbs – we're talking gradients up to 8.8% in places! This road is iconic enough that the Tour de France has used it! The whole stretch is about 21.6 km (13.42 miles), winding from Randanne (off the N-89) to the charming village of Mont-Dore. Get ready for a scenic drive with views that will take your breath away!
hardMonte Cimonasso
🇮🇹 Italy
# Monte Cimonasso Nestled in the province of Imperia in Liguria, Italy, Monte Cimonasso sits at a breathtaking 2,085m (6,840ft) elevation. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—it's an adventure. The road to the summit is basically a gravel track that demands respect. We're talking steep, narrow, and relentlessly winding hairpins that'll keep your hands firmly on the wheel. Sections are heavily rutted and washed out, with a surface of loamy, grassy terrain that turns sketchy the moment rain rolls in. Pro tip: save this one for dry weather only. Fair warning—this ancient military route is completely impassable from September through June thanks to heavy snow cover. Summer is your window. The bumpy, grueling ascent isn't for the faint of heart, but the raw, dramatic scenery makes every jolted spine worth it. If you're looking for a genuine mountain challenge in Italy, this is exactly what you're after.
hardIs Road 870 in Northeastern Iceland unpaved?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Get ready for an epic Icelandic adventure on Road 870, aka Norðausturvegur! This gem snakes along the northeast coast, serving up unreal views of Iceland's wild side. Yeah, it's a gravel road, but don't worry, most cars can handle it if you take it slow and easy. This slightly rough coastal route is just about 60 kilometers (37 miles) long, connecting Þórshöfn (a village on the eastern shore of Þistilfjörður fjord) and Fontur (a village on the northeastern tip of the Langanes peninsula). Keep in mind, this road is usually closed from early September to late June, so plan accordingly. And watch out for fog—it can get seriously thick up here. Located in one of Iceland’s most remote corners, this drive is all about breathtaking landscapes and serious solitude. You'll be far from everything, soaking up the peace and quiet of this sparsely populated area. Just a heads up: it's not a busy route, so solo travel isn't recommended.
hardTravelling through the Demirkapı-Ballıköy road
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventurers, listen up! I just tackled the Demirkapı-Ballıköy road, straddling the border of Trabzon and Rize in Turkey’s Black Sea region, and WOW. This isn't just a road; it's an *experience*. We're talking seriously high elevation here – peaking at a cool 9,603 feet! The entire 11.86 miles is pure, unadulterated, unpaved mountain track. Think steep climbs, hairpin turns, and sections so narrow you'll be holding your breath. Seriously, you absolutely NEED a 4x4 for this one. And plan your trip for summer, folks, because winter closes this baby down faster than you can say "mountain pass." Starting near Demirkapı, a tiny mountain town in Trabzon, you'll wind your way east toward Ballıköy, a remote village tucked away in the Rize Province. Expect incredible scenery, but also a serious dose of isolation. This is a road for those who truly want to get off the grid and into the heart of the Turkish mountains!