Where is Colle del Vallonetto?
Italy, europe
45 km
2,439 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Italian Alps in the Province of Cuneo, heading for Colle del Vallonetto. This mountain pass tops out at a cool 8,001 feet! Nestled close to the French border in the Piedmont region, this isn't your average Sunday drive.
The road stretches for 28 miles between Marmora and Demonte and, while paved, it's definitely rough around the edges and seriously narrow in places. Think steep inclines and some seriously dramatic drop-offs – definitely not for the faint of heart!
Keep in mind, this route through the Cottian Alps is usually a no-go during the winter months. But if you're up for the challenge in the warmer seasons, the views are absolutely worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 45 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,439 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Devil’s Throat Cave in Bulgaria?
🌍 Bulgaria
Cruising through the Smolyan Province of Bulgaria? You HAVE to check out the road through Trigrad Gorge! It's absolutely breathtaking, especially as it leads to the legendary Devil's Throat Cave. This natural wonder is nestled high in the Rhodope Mountains, practically kissing the Greek border. Legend has it that Orpheus himself used this route to venture into the underworld! The road itself? A wild ride! It’s paved, sure, but think narrow and winding. Picture this: you're hugging the curves, the Trigrad river burbling alongside you, and towering cliffs of up to 250 meters on either side. The river actually vanishes into the Devil's Throat Cave (said to resemble a devil’s head with a waterfall for a throat!), only to reappear further down as a massive spring. Seriously epic. This 10.6 km (6.58 miles) stretch from Teshel to Trigrad isn't for the faint of heart. The views are unreal – rocky shores, vertical walls of marble, and a sliver of sky above. But you’ll definitely need your wits about you! It takes about 20-30 minutes to drive without stopping. With tunnels, blind corners, and other cars trying to squeeze past. Seriously, bring your patience and your best driving skills. The best time to go? Summer is fantastic, with the elevation keeping things nice and cool (around 1200 meters!). Winter can bring snow, but the area is generally accessible year-round. July and August are peak season, so be prepared for company! Devil's Throat Cave itself, with its incredible 42-meter underground waterfall, is worth the effort. Trust me, this is one road trip you won't forget!
hardDuran Pass is an Iconic Giro d'Italia Climb
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo Duran: A Dolomites Classic Nestled in the Province of Belluno in northeastern Italy's Veneto region, Passo Duran sits at a respectable 1,601 meters (5,253 feet) and serves as the perfect gateway to some seriously incredible Dolomites hiking. The pass has earned its stripes—it's been featured in the Giro d'Italia multiple times, which tells you something about its cycling credentials. The fully paved Strada Provinciale 347 (SP347) to the summit is a real character: winding, narrow in spots, and occasionally brutal with gradients hitting 15%. The 20.4 km (12.67 mile) route connects Agordo in the Cordevole Valley with Dont in the Zoldo Valley, and the scenery is absolutely worth the effort. Coming up from Agordo? Expect 12.5 km of climbing with 992 meters of elevation gain and a manageable 7.9% average gradient. Taking the shorter Dont route adds 8.16 km with 671 meters of elevation and an 8.2% average incline—steeper but quicker. Once you reach the summit, you're treated to mountain refuges, a small chapel, a heliport, and a massive parking lot. There's even a minor gravel road climbing higher to Rifugio Bruto Carestiato at Col dei Pass if you want to push further. Whether you're a cyclist testing yourself against Giro d'Italia terrain or a hiker using this as your launching point into the Dolomites, Passo Duran absolutely delivers.
moderateWhy is the Storseisundet Bridge famous?
🇳🇴 Norway
Cruising the Atlantic Road on the midwest Norwegian coast? Buckle up for the Storseisundet Bridge! This cantilever marvel is the longest of eight bridges on the route, stretching 260 meters (850 ft) with a maximum clearance of 23 meters (75 ft) above the sea. But here's the kicker: from a certain angle, it looks like a diving board to nowhere! Seriously, as you approach, it seems like you're about to drive right off the edge into the ocean. Locals even call it the "drunk bridge," because once you’re on it, the road seems to disappear before your eyes. Opened in 1989, this paved beauty is perfectly safe, despite its rollercoaster-esque twists and turns. What makes it special is how the shape changes depending on your vantage point. Drivers can’t see the curve when they're on it, making it seem like the road vanishes and any car attempting to cross will plunge into the water. It’s just an optical illusion, of course, but it's guaranteed to give you a thrill!
hardThe road to Mont Vial is said to be the scary of scaries
🇫🇷 France
# Mont Vial: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure Perched at 1,527m (5,009ft) above sea level in the Alpes-Maritimes, Mont Vial is one of those rare mountain peaks that you can actually spot from the beaches near Nice—pretty cool, right? The Route du Mont Vial is definitely not your typical Sunday drive. This mostly single-lane, paved road is rough around the edges (literally—potholes galore), with relentless hairpin bends and some seriously steep sections reaching up to 13.6% gradient. Starting from the N202 below, you're looking at a 26.8km ascent that'll gain you 1,448m of elevation with an average grade of 5.3%. **Fair warning:** This is legitimate mountain driving territory. Those hairpin curves and nerve-wracking drop-offs mean you need your full concentration—and definitely reconsider this one if your passengers get queasy about heights. No room for mistakes up here. But here's why it's worth it: the summit views are absolutely stunning. From the communication tower at the top, you get sweeping vistas across the Mediterranean, the Maritime Alps, and Mercantour's highest peaks. On the clearest days (especially right after a Mistral wind clears away all the moisture), you might even glimpse Corsica's silhouette on the horizon. Nice, Monaco, and Cannes are all visible along the coast. The road begins in Saint Jean—just look for the signpost. Be warned though: there's a "no entry" sign that's easy to miss before things get interesting. The pavement deteriorates as you climb, with gravel, dirt, and even grass sprouting through cracks. Bring sunscreen—there's zero shade at the summit, and the wind can be absolutely brutal. Don't forget your camera fully charged; you'll want every shot of this panorama.