
Where is Bivacco Carmagnola?
Italy, europe
15.7 km
2,840 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the Italian Alps, in the Piedmont region, heading into the Maira Alta Valley. Your destination? Bivacco Carmagnola, a mountain refuge perched way up high at 2,840 meters (that's over 9,300 feet!). Getting there is an adventure in itself! This isn't your typical Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about a 15.7 km (almost 10 miles) old military road that climbs a staggering 1,453 meters.
Think steep, unpaved, and narrow. Real narrow. Like, "hold your breath and pray no one's coming the other way" narrow. The last bit is seriously gnarly, with parts of the road practically gone thanks to landslides. You'll definitely need a 4x4 for this one! It's a pretty rough ride overall. But hey, the views are killer! Plus, you'll pass remnants of old military bunkers and fortifications – a cool glimpse into history. Just be warned: the access is pretty much limited to summertime. But if you're up for a challenge and crave some seriously stunning mountain scenery, this white-knuckle drive to Sella dell’Auccia is unforgettable.
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 15.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,840 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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