Where is Kepa-Mittagskogel?
Slovenia, europe
7.8 km
1.6 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between Slovenia and Austria, way up in the Western Karawanks, on a mountain called Kepa-Mittagskogel. This rocky pyramid of a peak hits an altitude of about 2,145m (7,037ft), and getting there is half the fun.
There's this incredible 7.8km (4.84 miles) dirt road winding its way up from the Slovenian village of Belca, dating back to the pre-WWII era. It climbs to a saddle right on the border, topping out around 1,600m. Heads up, though – that's where the driving ends.
Now, on the Austrian side in Carinthia, a road *used* to lead to Bertahuette, a cozy mountain hut not far from the peak. But it's been closed since 2006, with a parking spot at 1,180m being your final destination by car. So, lace up those hiking boots and get ready for some killer views!
Road Details
- Country
- Slovenia
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 7.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1.6 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardCollado del Alamo, a gravel track with magnificent views
🇪🇸 Spain
Hey adventurers! Ever heard of Collado del Alamo? It's a mountain pass nestled high in the Sierra Nevada National Park, in Granada, Andalucia, Spain. We're talking serious altitude here—5,672 feet (1,729m) above sea level! The road? Think rugged and unpaved. You'll definitely want an SUV or all-road vehicle to tackle this one. Best time to go is late spring through early fall, because those mountain roads can get pretty snowy. And the views? Unreal! You'll be gazing at the snow-capped peaks of Mulhacén and Veleta. Trust me, you'll want to soak it all in during daylight hours. This isn't a road you want to try navigating at night. It’s super steep in sections, hitting gradients of up to 15%. Get ready for an epic climb!
hardAn iconic road to Port de Boucharo in the Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Port de Boucharo-Puerto de Bujaruelo: A Franco-Spanish Alpine Adventure Tucked away at 2,278 meters (7,473 ft) on the Spanish-French border, this mountain pass sits as one of the Pyrenees' most intriguing crossings. Fair warning: the final stretch to the summit is blocked off to vehicles by massive boulders—so you'll need to lace up your hiking boots for those last couple of kilometers. ## Where Exactly Is This Place? Straddling the border between Spain's Aragon region (Huesca province) and France's Occitania (Hautes-Pyrénées), this pass—also called Port de Gavarnie—ranks as the lowest Franco-Spanish border crossing in the area, aside from the Aragnouet-Bielsa tunnel. ## A Road With a Wild History People have been crossing here for centuries, but the road itself? That's a different story. Even Napoleon had ideas about building a route through here back in 1811, though it took until the 1930s before anyone seriously studied the project. Then came the Spanish Civil War and World War II—projects like this get shelved pretty quickly during wartime. The French finally completed their side in 1969, but the Spanish side never materialized. Those last two kilometers eventually got declassified, and honestly, it adds to the adventure. ## Getting There: Two Very Different Routes **The French Route (D-923):** This is the main event. A narrow, twisty paved road launching from Gavarnie, it climbs 12.4 km (7.7 miles) with 895 meters of elevation gain—averaging 7.21% gradient. It's got hairpin turns and that dramatic final 1.6 km where vehicles have to stop. Rockslides are a real concern up here. **The Spanish Route:** Prefer a more rustic experience? There's a mule track starting from Sant Nicolau de Buixaruelo for the adventurous souls. ## Best Time to Visit You're looking at a May-to-November window. The Pyrenees don't take kindly to winter visitors, and weather can turn nasty pretty much any day of the year. Come prepared.
moderateA very bumpy, grueling road to Colle Lauson
🇮🇹 Italy
# Colle Lauson: Italy's Alpine Adventure Ready for an epic ride through the Italian Alps? Colle Lauson is calling your name. This stunning mountain pass sits at a whopping 2,497 meters (8,192 feet) in the Province of Torino and serves as the gateway to the legendary Assietta Road—one of those bucket-list drives that'll make your heart race. Nestled in northern Piemonte within the breathtaking Parco Naturale del Gran Bosco di Salbertrand, the pass sits between Mount Genevris and its namesake, offering some seriously dramatic Alpine scenery. The Strada Provinciale 173 (aka the Assietta Road) stretches an impressive 39.3 km (24.23 miles) and keeps you cruising above the 2,000-meter mark for nearly the entire journey—yeah, you'll be spending serious time in thin air. Fair warning though: this isn't a year-round playground. The road only opens from June through October, so plan your adventure accordingly. Oh, and there are some restrictions—no vehicles heavier than 3.5 tons or wider than 2 meters allowed. During peak summer (July and August), expect weekend and Wednesday closures from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Here's a fun bit of history: Italian Alpine troops (the 3rd Reggimento Alpini) carved this route out in 1890 to access the Genevris observatory and military barracks. That's over a century of adventurers following in their tire tracks, and now it's your turn.
extremeColle di Sant'Anna di Vinadio
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: Colle di Sant'Anna di Vinadio, a seriously epic mountain pass straddling the French-Italian border in the Maritime Alps. We're talking 2,301 meters (7,549 feet) above sea level! Getting to the top, also called Pas de Saint-Anne, is an adventure in itself. The road? Well, "road" might be a generous term. Think gravel, rocks, bumps, and tilts – you get the picture. Winter? Forget about it, totally snowed in. This is strictly for experienced off-roaders; if you're not comfortable on rough, unpaved mountain tracks, maybe skip this one. Seriously, a 4x4 is a must. Oh, and heights? Yeah, there are some pretty sheer drops. And it's steep! This old military road can get pretty muddy and slick when it's wet. Plus, it's super narrow – one car at a time, folks! At the very top, there's another little gravel track leading to Col du Lausfer-Passo di Lausfer, even higher at 2,430 meters (7,972 feet). This whole area is a hiker's paradise, so maybe avoid peak times if you're not into crowds.