Where is Colle Lazzara?
Italy, europe
8.3 km
1,595 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're in Italy's Piedmont region, near Torino, ready to tackle Colle Lazzara, a seriously cool mountain pass. It's also known as Colle Laz Ara, Colle l’Azzara, or Colle La Zará, so you have options!
This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking about an old military road from the early 1700s, stretching about 8.3 km (5.15 miles) from Rivoira to Ruata. The road is unpaved and super narrow, so if you meet another car, someone's backing up. It can get pretty rough, steep, and rocky, especially after it rains, so be prepared.
But here's the payoff: The views! You're in the Conca Cialancia Natural Park, and the summit has a small parking area. The pass is at 1,595 m (5,232 ft) above sea level. Plus, it's a historic spot from the early 18th century, so you'll find some cool old military buildings along the way. If you're up for a bit of an adventure and some incredible scenery, Colle Lazzara is definitely worth the trip!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 8.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,595 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
moderateA bumpy scenic road to Lac de Roterel in the Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Lac de Roterel: A Hidden Alpine Adventure Nestled at 1,941m (6,368ft) in the Savoie department of France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Lac de Roterel is a stunning high-altitude destination that rewards adventurous drivers. Sitting within La Vanoise National Park—nestled between the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys in the French Alps—this lake sits near the French-Italian border and offers something truly special. The route itself is steeped in history. Built as a military road back in the 1910s, you'll spot remnants of an old railway line scattered along the way. The entire Franco-Italian alpine frontier is dotted with similar WW1-era military roads, a fascinating reminder of the region's past. Fair warning: this isn't a Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved and genuinely rough in spots, so you'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle it properly. But that's part of the charm! This forgotten military supply route winds past old forts around Mont Cenis, offering a wonderfully scenic escape from the crowded D1006/SS.25 highways below. The Italian approach is particularly thrilling—it climbs through several switchbacks before hugging a ridge that skirts Lago d'Arpon near the border. The highlight? A technically interesting set of four super-tight hairpin turns flanked by impressive retaining walls. Just remember that conditions deteriorate considerably after you pass the lake itself, so plan accordingly and come prepared for adventure.
extremeEl Yelmo
🇪🇸 Spain
# El Yelmo: A Thrilling Mountain Adventure Perched at a impressive 1,785m (5,856ft) above sea level in Spain's Jaén province, El Yelmo sits within the stunning Natural Park Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and the Villas in Andalusia. The recently asphalted road snaking up to the summit makes this peak more accessible than ever—but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a casual cruise. The climb is seriously steep, averaging a 7% gradient with some hair-raising sections hitting 12%. Throw in the relentless winds that hammer this altitude year-round, and you've got a genuine mountain challenge on your hands. Winter? Forget about it—avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are real threats, and icy patches can appear without warning. The road can shut down entirely when snow decides to show up. If narrow, unpaved mountain roads aren't your comfort zone, or if heights make you queasy, this might not be your trip. But for adrenaline seekers with solid driving skills? It's absolutely worth it. The summit rewards brave drivers with mountain refuge facilities, communication towers, and views that paragliders absolutely love. Just stick to decent weather, keep your eyes sharp for ice, and respect what this mountain demands. Drive it on its terms, and El Yelmo will blow your mind.
hardThe rough and bumpy road among the clouds to Pic du Midi
🇫🇷 France
# Pic du Midi de Bigorre: France's Thrilling Mountain Challenge Nestled in the Hautes-Pyrénées of southwestern France, Pic du Midi de Bigorre sits at a whopping 2,675m (8,776ft)—making it one of the country's highest roads. But here's the thing: this isn't your typical paved mountain pass. Starting from Col du Tourmalet (right by the gift shop), you've got 5.9 km of pure adrenaline ahead. The climb gains 548 meters with an average gradient of 9.28%, but don't let that fool you—it hits a brutal 24% at its steepest points. The entire route is unpaved gravel, and honestly? It's not for everyone. A massive gate blocks cars from going further, though hikers and cyclists can squeeze through. Once you're committed, expect a steep, loose-surfaced challenge with spectacular cliff edges and two short tunnels carved into the rock. After about 4 kilometers, you'll reach Col de Sencours and Lac d'Oncet. The final stretch gets seriously technical—slippery terrain scattered with massive boulders that'll test your nerve and your vehicle's suspension. The scenery? Absolutely stunning. You're rewarded with sweeping panoramas of the entire Pyrenees chain and the Occitanie plateau spreading out below you. At the summit, you'll find the Observatoire du Pic du Midi de Bigorre, a sci-fi-looking complex of concrete, stone, and metal domes that's been conducting astronomical research since 1908. Europe's highest museum is up there too, chronicling over a century of scientific discovery. Fair warning though: snow can block this route well into late June, so timing matters. This is strictly for experienced, fit drivers ready to tackle serious elevation and technical terrain.
moderateHow to drive the paved D89 Road in the Pyrenees?
🇫🇷 France
# D89: A Thrilling Pyrenean Adventure Ready for a mountain road that'll get your adrenaline pumping? D89 winds through the stunning Pyrénées-Orientales in southern France, right near the Spanish border. This scenic gem takes you all the way up to Puigmal, and trust me, the views are absolutely worth it. Starting from Sainte-Léocadie, this 16.7 km route climbs 929 meters to a parking area sitting pretty at 2,241 meters above sea level. The average gradient of 5.56% might sound manageable on paper, but the winding bends and heart-stopping drop-offs mean you'll definitely want to stay focused behind the wheel. The pavement isn't perfect—some sections are a bit rough around the edges—and things get genuinely tight in places where two cars can barely squeeze past each other. Set high in the Pyrenees, D89 delivers that dramatic mountain scenery you dream about, with sweeping vistas that'll make you want to pull over at every hairpin turn. Just keep in mind this road is typically locked down by snow and ice during winter, so plan your visit for warmer months when conditions are more forgiving. Bundle up though—even in summer, the cold and wind at elevation can catch you off guard. This isn't a leisurely Sunday drive, but if you've got solid driving skills and a taste for spectacular alpine scenery, D89 is an unforgettable experience.