
Where is Cima Grappa?
Italy, europe
18.8 km
1,758 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're winding your way up Cima Grappa in Italy, straddling Treviso, Vicenza, and Belluno. This isn't just any drive; it's a climb to 1,775 meters (5,769ft) above sea level in the Veneto region!
The road, also known as Strada Provinciale 140 (SP140), is totally paved, snaking up the Grappa massif. Starting from Semonzo, it鈥檚 about 18.8 km (11.68 miles) of pure driving bliss...and a bit of a challenge!
We're talking an elevation gain of 1,530 meters, averaging an 8.1% gradient. The first 11km are a steady 7.4%, but don鈥檛 get too comfy鈥攖he last 7.5km kick it up to 8.9%, with some sections hitting a crazy 14%! Plus, there are around 30 hairpin turns to keep you on your toes, some numbered.
Cima Grappa is famous for the Sacrario Militare del Monte Grappa, a memorial site for soldiers from WWI and WWII. It's a place of remembrance, with Italian and Austro-Hungarian ossuaries holding thousands. You'll also find the Madonna del Grappa statue, a World War Museum, and the remains of a former NATO radar missile base. It's beautiful, humbling, and definitely worth the drive.
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 18.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,758 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardThe inhumane climb to Rifugio Angelo Bosi al Monte Piana with 29% ramps
馃嚠馃嚬 Italy
# Rifugio Angelo Bosi al Monte Piana Perched at a breathtaking 2,212m (7,257ft) in Italy's northeastern Veneto region, Rifugio Angelo Bosi sits near the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the heart of the Dolomites. This high-altitude mountain refuge is named after Maggiore Angelo Bosi, an Italian army hero who fell during World War I on July 17, 1915鈥攁 conflict that left its mark all over Monte Piana, where you'll still spot WWI relics scattered across the landscape. Getting here is half the adventure. The 5.5 km (3.41 miles) road up from Misurina Pass is a narrow, steep former military route that's gained new life since its 1998 resurfacing. While most of it's now beautifully paved, don't let that fool you鈥攖here are some gnarly 29% gradient ramps with loose gravel outside the tire tracks that'll keep you on your toes. The southern exposure provides stunning views as you climb. Here's the catch: private vehicles aren't allowed (except local taxis), but cyclists and bikers are welcome to tackle this exhilarating route. It's the perfect combo of history, dramatic Alpine scenery, and a genuinely challenging ride that'll test your skills and reward you with unforgettable mountain vistas.
moderateRoad FV112
馃嚦馃嚧 Norway
# Road FV112: A Hidden Gem in Northern Norway Ready for a road trip that feels like stepping back in time? FV112 on the island of Hamn酶ya in Nordland county is exactly that kind of adventure. This scenic 9.6 km unpaved route kicks off from a ferry dock on the famous Kystriksveien (FV17) and winds its way toward Hamn, a charming little village that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle. What makes this drive special? You'll pass through Forvik, one of Northern Norway's oldest trading places鈥攂asically driving through centuries of history. The road itself is pretty authentic too: unpaved with some delightfully narrow sections that'll keep you engaged the whole way. The scenery? Absolutely stunning, as you'd expect from this corner of Norway. The best part? FV112 stays open year-round, which means you can explore it in virtually any season. Just keep in mind that winter can be temperamental鈥攐ccasional closures happen when the weather decides to throw its weight around. But when conditions are good, this drive is an absolute must-do for anyone seeking that genuine Norwegian experience without the crowds.
moderateWhere is Puerto de Monrep贸s?
馃嚜馃嚫 Spain
Puerto de Monrep贸s, nestled in the Huesca province of Spain, is a mountain pass that'll take your breath away (literally, at that altitude!). This fully paved route, known as the A-23, was revamped in 2019 with some seriously impressive engineering, like viaducts and tunnels, to tame the terrain. Clocking in at around 25 km from Arguis to Congosto de Isuela, this north-south gem offers stunning scenery and a great driving experience. But don't let the smooth pavement fool you! Perched high in the Pyrenees, winter here is no joke. Snow and ice are common, and you'll often see gritters doing their thing. But here's the kicker: chains might not cut it. Due to safety concerns and potential damage to the tunnels, only vehicles with M+S (mud and snow) tires are allowed on certain sections. Stopping to put on or remove chains near the tunnels is a big no-no. So, double-check your route and be prepared! Monrep贸s is the main artery to the Pyrenees, especially during winter holidays when everyone's heading to the ski resorts of Alto Arag贸n. That means traffic can get heavy. It's also had its share of problems. The pass has a bit of a reputation for accidents, thanks to a cocktail of factors: tricky curves, unpredictable weather, and the occasional geological hiccup. There have been a few road closures over the years due to landslides and cracks in the road. For example, a landslide shut down the road for months, and more recently a crack forced traffic to be rerouted.
moderateDriving through Vielha Tunnel in Spain's Pyrenees
馃嚜馃嚫 Spain
# Tunel de Vielha Nestled high in the Pyrenees at 1,635m (5,364ft), the Tunel de Vielha sits in Catalonia's northwestern corner in the Province of Lleida. This tunnel has quite the backstory鈥攖he Aran valley used to be seriously cut off from the rest of Spain, especially when winter snow decided to block access for weeks on end. Back in 1948, they built the Alfonso XIII Tunnel, a real engineering feat at 5.24km long鈥攖he world's longest road tunnel at the time. Fast forward to 2000, and it had earned a pretty dark reputation as Europe's most dangerous tunnel due to outdated safety features. That's why they opened the newer Juan Carlos I Tunnel in 2007. These days, the old tunnel mainly serves as a backup route for hazardous cargo trucks. Today's version connects Vielha (the valley's main hub) to the Alta Ribagor莽a area via the N230. The fully paved route stretches 5.2km (3.25 miles) with two southbound lanes and one northbound lane, with grades that climb up to 7.5%. You can generally drive it year-round, though expect occasional closures during gnarly winter weather. Want to tackle the approaches? From Vielha, it's a 12.3km climb gaining 664 meters (averaging 5.4%). Coming from Villaler? That's a slightly easier 18.7km push with 656 meters of elevation gain at a gentler 3.5% average gradient. Either way, you're in for some serious mountain scenery.