
Where is Bocca di Forca?
Italy, europe
9.9 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up road-trippers, because we're heading to Bocca di Forca in Italy! Nestled high up in the mountains, this climb is not for the faint of heart. Clocking in at just over 6 miles, don't let the short distance fool you. This is rated as one of the toughest climbs in Italy! Get ready for an average gradient of over 11%, with sections hitting a whopping 20%.
The road to the summit is paved, but it's a tight squeeze - think two medium-sized cars max. Those tight, tricky hairpin turns combined with potential potholes and rough patches make for a challenging drive. This isn't the road to learn manual on.
While challenging, the views are probably spectacular (bring a passenger to safely enjoy them). Just remember, this is a remote location, so help may be a while if you get into trouble.
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 9.9 km
- Difficulty
- hard
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