Where is Serrai di Sottoguda?
Italy, europe
2.5 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Tucked away in the heart of the Dolomites, in Italy's Belluno province, lies the incredible Serrai di Sottoguda gorge. This isn't your average road trip, though! This super-narrow, paved track with 12 little bridges, snaking for just over a mile (1.7 km) along a stream, is only open to pedestrians and cyclists.
The gorge itself is a spectacle, a deep canyon about 8-10 meters wide with towering walls reaching up to 50 meters high! You'll feel tiny as you traverse the 2.5 km stretch. This isn't the original route – it was built during World War I, and you can still see ammunition depots and a chapel. Look out for the Sacred Heart effigy carved into the rock, a blessing from a time when this crossing was truly perilous.
Following the Pettorina river through the gorge, you'll be immersed in the raw power of the Veneto Alps. Listen to the rushing water that carved this canyon. The route has some steep sections and used to be scarcely wide enough for two cars to pass, but is now bypassed by tunnels. Even though it may not be on every map, this unique experience is a must-do! It's even been used by the Giro d'Italia!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 2.5 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhere is Col des Montets?
🇫🇷 France
Col des Montets is a seriously scenic mountain pass, sitting pretty in the French Alps. You'll find it in the Haute-Savoie department, right in the southeastern corner of France. Think stunning views! At the summit, you're greeted by the peaceful Chalet de la Reserve, perfect for spotting classic Alpine flora and fauna. The road itself, known as the D1506, is fully paved and easy to drive. No crazy steep sections here, with a max gradient of just 8.3% on the steeper bits, and the road surface is generally pretty good. Stretching for roughly 12 kilometers, this route cruises from Les Houches (at the foot of Mont Blanc) up to Vallorcine, near the Swiss border. Now, about winter... Col des Montets is usually open, but things can get dicey! Snow and avalanches can cause closures, so winter tires or chains are a must. Always check road conditions before you go. If the pass is closed, don't worry, there's a tunnel alternative on the French side. This tunnel does double duty, used by both trains and vehicles!
hardWhere is Monte Nerone?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the heart of Italy, in the Province of Pesaro e Urbino, chasing views for days. You're headed to Monte Nerone, a seriously awesome peak that punches way up to a lofty elevation. The road? It's called Strada Provinciale 15 (SP15) Monte Nerone. Get ready for 16 hairpin turns snaking up the mountain! Think dramatic switchbacks hugging the side of this limestone giant (it kinda looks like Mount Subasio!). The road to the top stretches for a good distance, climbing almost a thousand meters with an average gradient. There's a seriously steep section right at the beginning that will definitely wake you up. The rest of the climb is a fun mix of gradients, keeping things interesting. Keep an eye on the weather, though. While the road is generally open, winter can throw some curveballs with sudden snowfall. And those final kilometers? Totally exposed, meaning the wind can be a real factor. At the summit, you're greeted with a restaurant, and you'll be surrounded by a forest of television transmission towers. Worth it for the panoramas, trust me!
moderateThe wild road to Colle di Perla
🇮🇹 Italy
# Colle di Perla Nestled in the heart of the Cottian Alps, Colle di Perla sits pretty at 2,215 meters (7,267 feet) above sea level, straddling the France-Italy border. This gravel and rocky mountain pass has some serious history—it was originally carved out for military purposes back during World War II, and you can still feel that no-nonsense engineering as you drive it today. Fair warning: the road itself is rough and bumpy, so don't expect smooth sailing. Mother Nature also has her say here—the pass is completely closed from November through March, so plan accordingly if you're thinking of tackling this one. If you're up for a genuine alpine adventure with spectacular mountain views and a road that tells a story, Colle di Perla delivers the goods.
hardDriving Coll de Soller: a thrilling road experience with 52 hairpin turns in Mallorca
🇪🇸 Spain
# Coll de Soller: Mallorca's Ultimate Mountain Pass Experience If you're cycling through Mallorca, Coll de Soller is absolutely on the must-do list. Perched at 508m (1,666ft) in the stunning Tramuntana range on the island's northern coast, this 10.7 km (6.64 miles) stretch along MA-11A is genuinely unforgettable. Fair warning: this isn't a gentle cruise. You'll navigate 52 hairpin turns with gradients reaching a leg-burning 12.7%, so if you're prone to motion sickness, maybe take it slow or grab a co-pilot who doesn't mind white knuckles. The road's totally paved, though you'll spot some cracking here and there. Oh, and watch out for goats casually hanging out on the asphalt—they're part of the charm! The views? Absolutely worth every switchback. You'll ride with sea views to the north and sweeping vistas of Palma and the island spreading out below you to the south. It's the kind of panorama that makes you forget how much your legs hurt. Since the fancy Sóller-Palma Tunnel opened in 1997 (sorry, cars only!), this winding beauty has become beautifully quiet—mainly just cyclists now. Most riders take 25-35 minutes to summit, though summer crowds and holidays can slow things down. The road stays open year-round, and there are a couple of summit restaurants (Dalt d'es Coll and Ca'n Topa) for well-deserved refueling, though they keep seasonal hours. Ready to conquer it?