
Where is Cimabanche Pass?
Italy, europe
30.8 km
1,533 m
moderate
Year-round
Ciao, road trippers! Let's talk about Passo di Cimabanche, a totally sweet mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,530 meters (5,029 ft) in Italy!
You'll find this gem, also known as Gemärkpass, straddling the Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige regions in the northeast. Think stunning scenery!
The Strada Statale 51 di Alemagna (SS51 Road) winds its way through here. It’s paved and mostly a smooth ride, perfect for cruising, though keep an eye out for a few spots where the road gets a little rough. Heading north from Cortina, after you crest the summit, you can hang a right and explore a bit more. Just south of the pass, you'll find the remains of Lake Bianco, and the pretty Lake Nero and Lake Rufiedo.
This epic road stretches for 30.8 km (19.13 miles), connecting the famous resort town of Cortina d'Ampezzo with Toblach-Dobbiaco in the Val Pusteria.
Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! You're in the Dolomites, people! Near the top, the views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo are postcard-perfect. Plus, you can check out Strong Point No. 4 (Blockade Cimabanche Pass), a massive bunker built into the rocks as part of Mussolini's Alpine Wall defense system. Inside, you’ll find it was armed with three machine guns back in the day. Pretty wild!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 30.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,533 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardNumanpaşa
🇹🇷 Turkey
Numanpaşa is a high mountain town at an elevation of 1.573m (5,160ft) above the sea level, located in Erzurum Province in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The average gradient is 9.71%. The road to the town is gravel. This is definitely not a Sunday drive. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with dangerous dropoffs. It’s a mountainous drive with dangerous twists and turns. Open to traffic throughout the year. May be closed for short periods in winter when the weather is bad. The journey is pretty steep. Starting from D050 road, the drive is 5.3 km long via 9 hairpin turns. The elevation gain is 515 meters. The average gradient is 9.71%. TRT Vericisi İstasyonu is a challenging climb in Turkey Mihaliç Tepe in Karaman: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateThe unpaved road to Lake Frostastaðavatn
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! You absolutely HAVE to check out Lake Frostastaðavatn in the southern Icelandic Highlands. We're talking seriously stunning scenery at nearly 1,900 feet above sea level. Now, getting there is half the fun... and a little bit of a challenge. You'll be cruising on the legendary F208, also known as Fjallabaksleið nyrðri. Be warned: this is a gravel road, so expect a bumpy ride! Plus, Iceland's weather is no joke, especially in the highlands. Snow can shut this road down at any time, so always check conditions before you go. But trust me, the reward is worth it. Imagine this: vibrant, multicolored mountains reflected in the still waters of the lake, surrounded by dramatic lava fields. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like you've landed on another planet. Just make sure you and your vehicle are prepared for a true Icelandic adventure!
moderateHow to drive the paved road through the Therisos Gorge
🇬🇷 Greece
# Therisiano Gorge: Crete's Hidden Canyon Drive If you're cruising around western Crete and want to experience something truly spectacular, the Therisiano Gorge (also called Venizelos Gorge) should be on your list. Nestled in the foothills of the impressive Lefka Ori mountain range near Chania, this 6-kilometer canyon is the only gorge in Crete you can actually drive through—which is pretty cool if you ask me. The gorge is carved out by the Kladissos River, and especially during spring snowmelt, this little river transforms into quite the dramatic torrent. You'll be treated to towering vertical cliffs and lush vegetation the entire way, with plane trees and oleanders creating this gorgeous natural tunnel at the narrowest sections. **Getting There** Located just 15 kilometers from Chania, the drive is accessible to anyone with a vehicle. Not feeling the drive? A quirky little tourist train runs from the seaside village of Platanias straight through to Theriso, so you've got options. **What to Expect** The 10-kilometer paved road winds from Garipa to Theriso, climbing to 580 meters where you'll find the charming historic village of Theriso perched at the mountain's base. Fair warning though: the road is narrow and twisty, and it gets seriously sketchy after rain. At the tightest spots, cars coming from opposite directions literally can't pass each other, so you'll need to stay sharp and move cautiously. Watch out for goats wandering the road and locals who might be taking those curves with a bit too much confidence. It's a must-do if you want dramatic scenery without the extreme factor.
hardPla de Beret
🇪🇸 Spain
# Pla de Beret Tucked away in Spain's Val d'Aran Valley in Catalonia, Pla de Beret sits pretty at 1,881m elevation in the heart of the Pyrenees. The mountain views here? Absolutely stunning—the kind that'll have you pulling over constantly just to take it all in. The road up is the C-142B, and thankfully it's fully paved. Starting from Baqueira on the C-28, you're looking at a 6.5km climb with 9 tight hairpin turns that'll keep you on your toes. You'll gain 397 meters of elevation over that stretch, averaging around 6.1% gradient with some steeper sections hitting 9%—nothing too extreme, but definitely noticeable. Fair warning though: winter can mean temporary closures, so check conditions before you go. The road gets noticeably busier on weekends and holidays, and during ski season it can get pretty packed. But here's the cool part—this climb has earned its stripes as a Tour de France and Vuelta a España stage, so you're literally following in the wheel tracks of the pros. If you're planning a mountain drive through the Pyrenees, this one delivers both the challenge and the scenery in equal measure.