
Where is Manghen Pass?
Italy, europe
39.1 km
2,047 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're carving through the Italian Dolomites, in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, heading for Passo di Manghen. This mountain pass tops out at a cool 2,047 meters (6,716 feet), so buckle up!
This route, Strada Provinciale 31 (SP-31), connects the Fiemme and Sugana valleys. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. For 39.1 kilometers (24.29 miles) from Borgo Valsugana to Cavalese, you're mostly on a narrow road that feels like a remote forestry track. The scenery is pure magic – dense woods give way to incredible views, but keep your eyes peeled!
The road gets seriously narrow in sections with tight hairpin turns. Gradients hit a maximum of 16% in some spots. The pavement is generally great, but watch out for those slippery larch needles in the forested stretches. Commercial vehicles aren't allowed, so it's mostly just you and the open road (and maybe a few brave cyclists reliving the Giro d'Italia!). And once you reach the summit, treat yourself to a pit stop at Rifugio Passo Manghen. You've earned it!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 39.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,047 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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