What’s at the summit of Mauria Pass?
Italy, europe
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through northern Italy, right on the border of Veneto and Friuli, heading up Mauria Pass. We're talking serious altitude here!
At the very top, you'll find a cool wrought iron cross – a memorial to local heroes from WWII. It's a somber, but powerful spot, with a parking area and a restaurant nearby for a quick bite. Just south of the pass is where the Tagliamento River kicks off its journey!
The road itself is the SS52, and while paved, it can get a little tight in places. It’s not crazy steep, but be prepared to hug those curves!
From Pelos di Cadore, it's about 10.6 km to the top, climbing
with an average grade of 4.5%. From Forni di Sopra, it's about 10.8 km and climbing
with an average gradient of 4.4%.
It's a stunning drive, so take your time, enjoy the views, and maybe grab a bite at the summit!
Related Roads in europe
extremeDriving to the international San Jorio Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo San Jorio: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure Ready for an epic mountain crossing? Passo San Jorio sits pretty at 2,012 meters (6,601 feet) and straddles the Switzerland-Italy border like a boss. This pass connects the Italian town of Garzeno (in Como province) with Carena over in Swiss Ticino—and trust me, it's not your typical Sunday drive. The landscape here is absolutely stunning, nestled between the Lepontine Alps and the Lugano Prealps. Once you approach the summit, you'll spot a charming medieval church and a trio of refuge huts that have welcomed weary travelers for centuries. Back in the day, this pass was strategically crucial, and you can feel that historical weight as you drive through. Now, let's talk about what you're actually getting into: this road is *gloriously* narrow with hairpin bends so tight and steep they'll test your driving skills (and nerves). The entire route is unpaved, and it only gets rougher the higher you climb. We're talking seriously challenging terrain here. On the Italian side, you can drive most of the way, though the final stretch is off-limits for motorized vehicles. The Swiss side offers a hiking trail that mountain bikers can also tackle. Winter? Forget about it—this pass is completely impassable when snow arrives. **Bottom line:** Bring a 4x4 vehicle if you're attempting this in good conditions, strap in, and prepare for one unforgettable alpine experience.
hardThe old military road to Col de l’Infernet in the Hautes-Alpes
🇫🇷 France
# Col de l'Infernet: A Wild Alpine Adventure Ready for a seriously intense mountain drive? Col de l'Infernet sits pretty at 2,355m (7,726ft) in France's Hautes-Alpes, just outside the charming town of Briançon in the southeastern Alps. This isn't your typical scenic byway—it's a full-on adventure. The real star here is Fort de l'Infernet, a jaw-dropping 19th-century fortress perched even higher at 2,380m. Built between 1876-1878, this beauty was the last French fort constructed with traditional cut stone masonry and was designed to keep potential Italian invaders at bay. During WWII, this place actually saw action, trading fire with Italian forces across the valley. The fort housed 210 soldiers and packed some serious firepower—think 138mm, 155mm, and 220mm guns. Pretty cool, right? Now, about that drive. Fair warning: this ain't for the faint of heart. Starting from the paved D902, you're looking at roughly 9km (5.5 miles) of pure unpaved military trail. You'll climb nearly 1,000 meters with an average gradient of 10.45%—steep doesn't even begin to describe it. The road is narrow, exposed, and features sketchy slippery sections with some seriously gnarly drops. You'll absolutely need a 4x4, no exceptions. But here's the payoff: stunning panoramic views across the Clarée, Guisane valleys, and beyond. Plus, you'll pass scattered old military installations, gun emplacements, and barracks dotting the landscape. Winter? Basically forget about it. Snow can close this route anytime, typically making it impassable from late autumn through spring. Plan accordingly and you've got yourself an unforgettable mountain experience.
hardWhere is Uzungöl Plateau?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Uzungöl Plateau is calling your name with its crazy-high elevation of 10,127 feet! We're talking seriously up there. You'll find this stunner south of Danakiran Road (another high pass at 9,849 feet!) where the provinces of Erzurum and Artvin meet in the northeast of Turkey. Heads up: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road to the top is completely unpaved and super rough. Prepare for a challenging ride, but so worth it! The climb stretches for about 6.46 miles. Expect some serious elevation gain. Word to the wise: this road is usually closed in winter. Aim for other seasons for the best (and safest) experience! The views from up there are unreal!
moderateWhere is the Felbertauern Tunnel?
🇦🇹 Austria
Cruising through Austria and want to avoid those crazy high alpine passes? Check out the Felbertauerntunnel! Nestled between Salzburg and Tyrol, inside the stunning Hohe Tauern National Park, this tunnel clocks in at a cool 1,650m (5,413ft) above sea level. Before this beauty opened in '67, getting from East Tyrol to Innsbruck was a trek through either South Tyrol or over the Großglockner High Alpine Road (only open in summer!). But now, you can zip right through this 5.3 km (3.3 mile) marvel. The whole Felbertauern road (B 108) experience is about 65 km (40 miles) from Mittersill to Lienz. The road is fully paved and shielded by avalanche galleries, making it a pretty smooth ride. While gradients can hit 9.3% in places, most of the route is modern and easy to handle. Plus, it's generally open year-round, so you can enjoy those mountain views no matter the season. Just be ready for a toll – it's worth it!