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

The Wild Road to Pico del Relojero in Murciamoderate

The Wild Road to Pico del Relojero in Murcia

🇪🇸 Spain

Pico del Relojero is a mountain peak at an elevation of 600m (1,968ft) above the sea level, located in the Region of Murcia, an autonomous community of Spain. The climb is brutal, with sections up to 15%. Tucked away within the Parque Regional Sierra de Carrascoy y El Valle, in the southeastern part of the country, the road to the summit is mostly unpaved and has a dead end. High clearance vehicle required. The road is 6.8km (4.22 miles) long, starting on La Alberca. The final part is closed to private vehicles. Set high in the Sierra de Carrascoy mountain range, the summit hosts antennas and a communication tower. The drive is very scenic with stunning views of Murcia city. On the way to the summit are two natural viewpoints with great views: Mirador de las Navetas and Mirador del barranco del Sordo. The road to the summit is very steep, hitting a 15% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting on La Alberca, the ascent is 6.8km (4.22 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 519 meters. The average gradient is 7.63%. The climb itself is absolutely destructive. The brutally steep road to Sant Jaume de Montagut church Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Where is Gorges de la Pierre-Lys?moderate

Where is Gorges de la Pierre-Lys?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Aude department in southern France, Occitanie region, about to hit one of the most stunning drives in the country – the Gorges de la Pierre-Lys! This isn't just any road; it's a balcony road carved right into the side of a dramatic canyon. The D117 is your path, a fully paved 8.2 km (5.09 miles) stretch running north-south from Quillan to Saint-Martin-Lys. You'll be snaking through the Pierre-Lys gorge with cliffs towering up to 700 meters on either side. It's seriously impressive. Trust me, it's worth the detour! And if you're up for more adventure, just beyond Axat you can explore the equally stunning Gorges de Saint-Georges. It's an amazing landscape to enjoy by car, bike, or on foot. But be warned, this road demands your full attention, keep your eyes on the road! Start your journey near Quillan, a cute little town perfect for exploring nearby Cathars castles and the gorges. Pro tip: hit this drive at sunset. The rocks turn a wild shade of red, creating insane shadows. It's a photographer's dream!

Why is it called Botev Peak?hard

Why is it called Botev Peak?

🌍 Bulgaria

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Botev Peak in Bulgaria, chilling right between Lovec and Plovdiv provinces, is calling your name. We're talking serious altitude here – 2,376 meters (that's 7,795 feet!). Fun fact: it used to be called Yumrukcha, but got a name change to honor Hristo Botev, a Bulgarian poet and revolutionary. What's at the top? A weather station and a radio tower (super important for broadcasts!), plus a mountain refuge if you need a break. Getting there is part of the adventure. You can hike up the southern side through Central Balkan National Park, OR, if you're feeling a little more adventurous, take Route 607. Heads up: this is a 4x4-only situation. Starting from Ostrets, it's a 35.1 km (21.81 miles) climb, gaining a whopping 1,803 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 5.13%. Trust me, the views above the tree line are worth it! Now, the fine print. This road is usually only open in summer because the weather can get wild. Think average temps of -8.9°C (16.0°F) in January and 7.9°C (46.2°F) in July. Fog and clouds? Pretty common. Keep your wits about you! You might see sheep and cows, and while the paths are generally kept up, watch out for slippery rocks. Small injuries can happen. Mountain weather can be unpredictable. Best to have a plan B.

An old military road to Lago d'Arponextreme

An old military road to Lago d'Arpon

🇮🇹 Italy

# Lago d'Arpon: Not for the Faint of Heart Perched at 1,830 meters (6,003 feet) on the France-Italy border, Lago d'Arpon is a stunning alpine destination—but getting there? That's an adventure in itself. This isn't your typical scenic drive. The road to the lake (also called Lago dell'Arpone) is brutally challenging and strictly 4x4 territory. Forget about winter visits entirely; snow makes this route completely impassable. As you climb up toward Lac de Roterel, you're testing not just your vehicle's capabilities but your nerves too. The views? Absolutely breathtaking—those mountain vistas are postcard-worthy. But here's the catch: they come with a side of serious exposure. Long stretches feature nothing between you and a several-hundred-meter drop except open air and loose gravel. If you're the type who gets dizzy looking down from a tall building, or if landslides keep you up at night, this probably isn't your road. There are no guardrails to reassure you, and the gravel surface demands respect. What makes this route even cooler? It's a historic military road, part of a network built across the French and Italian Alps starting in the late 1800s and heavily developed during World War I. You're literally driving a piece of alpine military history while staring down some of Europe's most dramatic scenery. Only go if you're confident, experienced, and genuinely ready for it.