Where is Passo San Marco?

Where is Passo San Marco?

Italy, europe

Length

24.2 km

Elevation

1,830 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're carving your way through the Lombardy region of Italy, right on the border between Bergamo and Sondrio provinces. You're heading for Passo San Marco, a seriously scenic mountain pass that tops out at 1,985m (that's 6,512ft!).

This isn't some freshly-minted highway; this route has history. Parts of it date back to the late 16th century when it was built to connect Lombardy to the Grisons area. Keep an eye out for Ca San Marco near the summit (1,830m) – it's a cool old building built to shelter travelers way back when.

The road itself, Strada Statale 470, is fully paved and stretches for 24.2 km (15.03 miles) from Mezzoldo in the south to Albaredo per San Marco in the north. It's a favorite with cyclists, even appearing in the Giro d'Italia! While it's a good climb, the gradients aren't too crazy, maxing out at 10%. Just remember, heavy trucks aren't allowed, so you can enjoy a (relatively) peaceful drive. Expect stunning views of the Bergamo Alps!

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Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
24.2 km
Max Elevation
1,830 m
Difficulty
moderate

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