Where is Bivacco Carmagnola?

Where is Bivacco Carmagnola?

Italy, europe

Length

15.7 km

Elevation

2,840 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

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.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
15.7 km
Max Elevation
2,840 m
Difficulty
extreme

Related Roads in europe

Driving the wild Vado del Río Eljasmoderate

Driving the wild Vado del Río Eljas

🇪🇸 Spain

# Vado del Río Eljas: Spain and Portugal's Most Thrilling Border Crossing Straddling the Spain-Portugal border, Vado del Río Eljas has to be one of the most jaw-dropping bridges you'll ever cross. This stunning 52-meter (171-foot) span stretches across the Erges/Eljas river, connecting two countries with just concrete and sheer nerve. Here's the thing though—this bridge comes with some serious character. There are literally *no guardrails*, which means you're basically driving on a ribbon suspended over water with nothing between you and the drop. The bridge has weathered some intense floods throughout its history, and that's clearly left its mark on the structure. Oh, and here's the kicker: only one car can cross at a time. That's right—if you meet someone coming the other direction, someone's backing up. It's intimate, intense, and absolutely unforgettable. The concrete surface is sturdy enough, but the whole experience screams "adventure" from start to finish. If you're a road-trip enthusiast looking for that genuine, heart-pounding border-crossing experience, Vado del Río Eljas delivers in spades. Just maybe check for oncoming traffic before you gun it across!

Where is Col de la Bailletta?hard

Where is Col de la Bailletta?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Col de la Bailletta, nestled in the Savoie department of France, is calling your name. This beast of a mountain pass tops out at a whopping 2,852 meters (9,356 feet)! You'll find this beauty in the Rhône-Alpes region, specifically within the Bailletaz Nature Reserve. The journey begins near Lac du Chevril, just below Val d’Isere, where you'll veer off the main D902. The road is paved at first, all the way to Lac/Barrage du Saut (one of France's highest paved roads!). But after that, things get real as the road turns to gravel. From the D902, you're looking at a 9.4 km (5.84 miles) trek to the top. This old military road is mostly gravel and wide enough, but the higher you go, around the 2700 meter mark, the road becomes more of a hiking trail due to landslides. So, be warned: the final stretch is not suitable for vehicles. But trust me, the views are totally worth it! Just take your time and soak in the scenery. It's an experience you won't forget!

Is Route de Maronne difficult?extreme

Is Route de Maronne difficult?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps in the Isère department, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. You're on Route de Maronne, a crazy-scenic mountain road that's not for the faint of heart! Seriously, this fully paved road is *narrow*. Like, "hold-your-breath-when-another-car-comes" narrow. And those drop-offs? Forget about guardrails! If you're not a fan of heights, maybe focus on the road ahead, 'cause it can get a little intense. The views, though? Absolutely worth it. You're winding through La Foret De Maronne forest, surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. Just be ready for some seriously steep climbs – we're talking up to a 20% gradient in places! This little adventure is only about 4.5 km (2.79 miles) long, running from south to north from [start location unspecified] to Le Rosay. Get ready for 8 hairpin turns that’ll test your driving skills. Oh, and heads up – this road often closes in winter due to wild weather. So, buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable drive!

A beautiful road through a scenic valley to Col de Peyresourdemoderate

A beautiful road through a scenic valley to Col de Peyresourde

🇫🇷 France

# Col de Peyresourde Nestled at 1,569 meters in the heart of France's Occitanie region, Col de Peyresourde is a stunning mountain pass that straddles the border between Haute-Garonne and Hautes-Pyrénées, just a stone's throw from Spain. You'll find a handy parking area and a cozy little bar at the summit—perfect for catching your breath and soaking in the views. The 23-kilometer stretch of D618 that connects Bagnères-de-Luchon to Loudenvielle is an absolute gem. The road is well-maintained and fully paved, winding through a gorgeous mountain valley with sweeping vistas of the surrounding peaks the entire way up. But here's where it gets really fun: those final couple of kilometers feature some absolutely brilliant hairpin turns that'll get your adrenaline pumping. What makes this pass particularly friendly for road trippers is that it's actually one of the easier Pyrenees climbs—the grades mostly stay under 8%, with some flatter sections under 3% mixed in to give you a breather. Coming from Bagnères-de-Luchon, it's a 15.27km ascent with about 939 meters of elevation gain (averaging 6.1%), while the Loudenvielle side is a shorter 8.3km push gaining 629 meters (averaging 7.6%). The Tour de France has tackled this beauty multiple times, and it's easy to see why. Thanks to its central Pyrenees location, the road typically stays open year-round, linking the charming Aure and Louron valleys. It's the kind of drive you'll want to tackle again and again.