Where is Passo Duran?
Italy, europe
20.4 km
1,601 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Passo Duran, a crazy-beautiful mountain pass hanging out in the Italian Dolomites! You'll find this gem in the Province of Belluno, Veneto region, snaking its way up to 1,601m (5,253ft).
Up top, you're greeted with mountain huts, a sweet little chapel, and views for days. It's also the perfect jumping-off point for some epic Dolomite hikes. The Giro d’Italia loves this climb, and you will too!
The road itself, SP347, is paved, but hold on tight – it's a wild ride! Think hairpin turns, super-narrow sections, and some seriously steep climbs, hitting up to 15% in places.
Stretching for about 20.4 km (12.67 miles), the pass connects Agordo in the Cordevole Valley with Dont in the Zoldo Valley. Get ready for some stunning scenery as you wind your way up!
From Agordo, you're looking at a 12.5 km climb, gaining 992 meters with an average gradient of 7.9%. If you're coming from Dont, it's a shorter but slightly steeper 8.16 km ascent, gaining 671 meters at an 8.2% average gradient. Either way, your car (and maybe your legs!) will get a workout!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 20.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,601 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardPic de Chabrières is a Most Tricky Scenic Drive
🇫🇷 France
# Pic de Chabrières: One Seriously Epic Alpine Adventure Looking for a true high-altitude challenge? The Pic de Chabrières sits pretty at 2,701 meters (8,861 feet) above sea level in the Hautes-Alpes region of southeastern France, making it one of the country's most elite mountain passes. Located in the stunning Queyras mountains, this isn't your typical paved highway experience. Here's the real talk: the road to the summit is completely unpaved and basically functions as a chairlift access trail. You're looking at a seriously steep climb with endless twists, turns, and narrow sections that'll keep even seasoned drivers on their toes. Your vehicle needs serious credentials too—4x4 is non-negotiable here. **When to go?** Plan your adventure between July and September. Outside those months (October through June), expect impassable conditions thanks to snow and weather. Even during the "open" season, thunderstorms can transform this trail in minutes, turning it into a slippery nightmare or shutting it down completely. The scenery is absolutely worth it though—those Queyras views are unforgettable. Just remember: this road demands respect, full attention, and genuine driving skills. Every direction change—up, down, left, right—keeps you constantly engaged. It's not a leisurely drive; it's a full-on mountain experience.
hardThe breathtaking road to Costila Peak in the Bucegi Mountains
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Vârful Coștila in Romania's Muntenia region – we're heading high into the Prahova County mountains! This isn't your average Sunday drive; we're talking about one of the highest points you can reach by road in the whole country, topping out at 2,485 meters (8,152 feet)! You'll find this gem nestled in the heart of the Bucegi Natural Park, and you absolutely can't miss the massive television tower, Releul Coștila, perched right at the summit. This tower is a beast, adding another 84 meters to the height, making it the tallest artificial structure in Romania! Now, getting there is part of the adventure. Forget your sports car because the 8.2 km (5.09 miles) of DJ713 is totally unpaved and seriously steep, gaining 560 meters from where the paved TransBucegi ends. You're looking at an average gradient of 6.82%, so a 4WD is essential. Heads up, this road is usually closed from late October until late June or early July due to snow. In the past, the radio and television relay was guarded by a military unit. Today, access to the relay building is restricted by a fence around the construction.
extremeThe road to El Maigmó: be ready to make room for oncoming vehicles
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Costa Blanca in Spain, and you spot this peak called El Maigmó, or Alt de les Xemeneies as the locals call it. It's a newly paved road, so you know you gotta check it out, right? Heads up: the road gets narrow, and the slopes get seriously steep. If you meet another car, be prepared to do some fancy maneuvering! But trust me, the views are worth it. Once you reach the top at 1,192m (3,910ft), you're greeted with communication towers, a lookout tower, and a mind-blowing 360° panorama stretching across the whole area to the Mediterranean Sea. The climb itself is a beast! Starting from the CV-815, it's only 5.4km long, but you gain a whopping 566 meters in elevation, averaging a leg-burning 10.5% gradient. Some sections even hit a crazy 16%! The best part? You'll probably have the whole road to yourself. Get ready for an epic climb.
hardPico del Chullo
🇪🇸 Spain
# Pico del Chullo: Spain's Ultimate High-Altitude Challenge Ready for one of Spain's most intense driving experiences? Pico del Chullo sits pretty at 2,520m (8,267ft) on the Granada-Almería border in Andalusia, and it's definitely not your average Sunday drive. Nestled in Sierra Nevada National Park, this gravel and rocky mountain road is genuinely heart-pounding—we're talking steep, bumpy terrain that'll test every ounce of your driving skills and nerves. Honestly? If you're prone to vertigo or worry about landslides, this one's probably not for you. It's consistently ranked among Spain's scariest roads for good reason. The conditions here are no joke either. Winter pretty much shuts this place down from November through March thanks to snow and ice, and you'll absolutely need a 4x4 to attempt it. Pack extra layers too—expect serious cold and relentless winds at the top. Starting from Puerto de La Ragua, you're looking at a brutal 3.6km climb with 476 meters of elevation gain. That translates to an average 13.2% gradient, though certain sections spike up to 20%. There's a mountain hut at the summit if you manage to make it up, which honestly feels like an accomplishment worth celebrating. This is genuinely one for the adventure seekers and experienced mountain drivers only.