Where is Colle Fauniera or Colle Pantani?

Okay, picture this: Colle Fauniera (or, as it's now officially known, Colle Pantani!) – seriously one of the most breathtaking and untouched alpine passes you'll find anywhere near 2,500 meters. Nestled in Italy's Piedmont region, specifically the Province of Cuneo, this beauty connects Valle Grana and Vallone dell'Arma, way up in the northern part of the country. Locals even call it "Hill of the Dead" (Colle dei Morti) thanks to a historic battle. Forget the grim name; the views are mind-blowing, the meadows explode with wildflowers, and you're practically guaranteed to spot some adorable marmots.

This epic route is about 45.8 km (28.45 miles) from Demonte to Ponte Marmora. Heads up – the road gets narrow, so be prepared to squeeze past other cars. They paved the whole thing back in '99 for the Giro d’Italia (the famous bike race), and ever since, it’s become a must-do for adventurous travelers.

Keep in mind, snow usually closes it from October to June, so plan accordingly! It's seriously steep in sections, hitting a max gradient of almost 14% in places. Coming from Ponte Marmora? Get ready for a 22 km climb, gaining 1,567 meters at a 7.1% average grade. Starting in Demonte? That’s a 24.7 km ascent, with 1,721 meters of climbing at a 7% average.

Oh, and about the name change: at the summit, you'll find a massive statue honoring Marco Pantani. He conquered this climb during the Giro d'Italia '99, and now the pass officially bears his name, which is wild! They're still finalizing the maps, but soon "Colle Pantani" will be official. How cool is that?