
Where is Passo della Mulattiera?
Italy, europe
N/A
2,412 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Let's talk about Passo della Mulattiera, a crazy high mountain pass chilling at 2,412 meters (7,913 feet) in the Turin province of Italy's Piedmont region.
You'll find this gem nestled near the French border, right by Bardonecchia in the Susa Valley. Getting there? Buckle up, because the road is unpaved, rocky, and seriously narrow. Think old military road turned mule track – built way back in 1939, and ending right at the pass.
You can kick things off in Bardonecchia, winding through Mount Colomion, or hop on midway from Beaulard. Is it worth it? Absolutely! At the top, you'll stumble upon a massive barrack ruin. Plus, this trail cruises through seriously remote areas, so come prepared!
Perched just below the stunning Punta Charra cliff (2,844 m), south of Bardonecchia, you're treated to killer panoramic views. We're talking the Valle Stretta (Vallée Étroite in French), and all the surrounding mountains of the Bardonecchia, Beaulard, and Oulx valleys. Trust me, the views are worth the white-knuckle drive!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,412 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremePik Terskol: a truly outstanding 4x4 adventure
🌍 Russia
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Deep in the Caucasus Mountains, straddling the border between Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay–Cherkessia in Russia (practically next door to Georgia), you'll find Pik Terskol. This isn't just any mountain peak; it boasts a road that'll take you all the way up to 3,092 meters (10,144 feet)! That makes it one of the highest roads in Europe, folks. The road itself? Think rugged. We're talking a totally unpaved, dirt track that's usually snowed in from September to July. At the top, you'll find the Pik Terskol Observatory, perfectly positioned for stargazing thanks to incredibly clear skies. Now, a word of warning: This isn't a Sunday drive. The 7.8 km climb from Terskol (at 2,166m) is seriously steep, gaining a whopping 926 meters with gradients hitting up to 18%! It gets muddy and slick after rain, demanding a 4x4 and some serious off-road skills. Plus, watch out for avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides, especially with those sneaky patches of ice. Basically, respect the mountain, check the weather, and maybe avoid it altogether if you're not a fan of heights or hairy driving conditions! But if you're up for the challenge, the views are totally worth it!
moderateWhere is Colle di Costa Piana?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Let's talk about Colle di Costa Piana, sitting pretty at 2313 meters (that's 7588 feet!) in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy. You'll find this gem – also called Colle Cotte Plain – nestled in the northern part of Italy. It's part of the legendary SP173, the road that winds its way from Susa to Sestriere through the breathtaking western Italian Alps. Now, the road to the top? Think rugged, unpaved goodness, hugging the ridge from Pian dell’Alpe to Sestriere. There's a 30 km/h speed limit, so chill out and enjoy the views. Overtaking and parking willy-nilly are a no-no. Sure, it's a bit rough around the edges, especially on those curves, but totally doable. Heads up though – this road is a summer fling only! Usually, it's open from June 1st to October 31st. Get ready for insane views!
moderateSa Calobra
🇪🇸 Spain
# Sa Calobra: Mallorca's Most Iconic Switchback If you've scrolled through travel Instagram, you've probably seen *that* photo of the impossibly tight road loop on Mallorca's northwest coast. Welcome to Sa Calobra—and yes, it's even more spectacular in person. This legendary route plunges from the Coll dels Reis pass (682 meters) down to sea level in just 9.4 kilometers of pure adrenaline. The showstopper? A jaw-dropping 270-degree hairpin turn where the road actually loops under itself like a snake eating its tail. Built way back in 1932 by Italian engineer Antonio Parietti, it's still one of Europe's most photographed road features, and you'll understand why the moment you see it. The descent cuts through the Serra de Tramuntana mountains (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the views are absolutely unreal—think dramatic limestone cliffs dropping straight into turquoise Mediterranean waters. With twelve major hairpins and gradients reaching 7%, this is serious cyclist territory. The annual Sa Calobra cycling event proves it: thousands of riders flock here every year to conquer the brutal climb back up. At the bottom, you'll find a charming cove where the Torrent de Pareis gorge—one of Mallorca's most impressive natural wonders—meets the sea. The gorge is totally hikeable through short tunnels carved right into the rock, and the beach is perfect for a refreshing swim after your drive. Fair warning: this road gets absolutely rammed with traffic in summer. Go early morning if you want to actually enjoy the experience without bumper-to-bumper madness.
hardThurntaler
🇦🇹 Austria
Thurntaler is a stunning high mountain peak tucked away in Austria's Tyrol region, sitting pretty at 2,390m (7,841ft) above sea level. Nestled in the heart of the Dolomites, this mountain is definitely not your typical drive. Here's the deal: the road up to the summit is completely unpaved and basically a chairlift access trail that'll test your hiking legs big time. We're talking seriously steep terrain here—some sections hit gradients of up to 30%—with loose stones scattered everywhere. The upper section gets even gnarlier, turning into a rocky scramble that demands serious respect. Timing is everything with this one. You can really only tackle it at the end of August when the snow has finally cleared out. Even then, surprise snowy days can pop up during summer, so don't pack away your winter gear too quickly. Wind is basically a permanent fixture at this elevation, howling year-round and picking up intensity in the upper reaches. Winter? Forget about it—temperatures plummet to brutally cold levels. If you're the type who loves a challenging mountain adventure with dramatic scenery and serious altitude rewards, Thurntaler delivers the goods. Just respect the conditions, plan carefully, and come prepared for whatever this Alpine beauty throws your way.