Where is Punta Veleno?
Italy, europe
10.7 km
1,171 m
extreme
Year-round
Punta Veleno – "Poison Point" – lives up to its name! This mountain pass, perched at 1,171m (3,841ft) in Italy's Veneto region, near Lake Garda, is not for the faint of heart.
The road, Via del Sole, stretches for 10.7 km (6.64 miles) from Porto to Prada Alta, twisting and turning with a staggering 21 numbered hairpin bends. Why such a road exists is a mystery, but that's part of the adventure, right?
But here's the kicker: this road is NARROW. Like, "hold-your-breath-when-another-car-approaches" narrow. In fact, buses, trucks, RVs, cars with caravans or automatic transmissions, and scooters are all banned!
Why is Punta Veleno so famous? Because it's BRUTAL. The central 6.5 km section boasts an average gradient of over 14%, with sections exceeding 24.8%! Legend has it that Giro d'Italia race declared it "one of the most ferocious climbs in Italy"
But don't let that scare you off completely. As you crawl up those insane slopes, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Lake Garda stretching out below. Just trust your driver, keep your eyes on the prize, and maybe bring a barf bag... just in case! It's a climb you won't soon forget.
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 10.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,171 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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