Where is Strada Provinciale 227 di Portofino?
Italy, europe
12.8 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Cruising the Italian Riviera? You HAVE to hit Strada Provinciale 227 di Portofino (SP 227)! This coastal gem hugs the Ligurian coastline southeast of Genoa for about 8 miles (12.8 km) of pure driving bliss.
Picture this: you're winding along paved roads, connecting the charming town of Rapallo (don't miss the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro!) with the ultra-exclusive Portofino. Yeah, *that* Portofino, the one with the yachts and the postcard-perfect harbor.
Expect jaw-dropping views around every hairpin turn. Just a heads up: those narrow sections can get pretty congested in the summer months, so patience is key. But trust me, the scenery is SO worth it. Just make sure you can handle a bit of reversing if you get stuck. This road is NOT for the faint of heart!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 12.8 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateIs the Ötztal Glacier Road one of the highest roads in Europe?
🇦🇹 Austria
Cruising through the Austrian Tyrol, you absolutely HAVE to experience the Ötztal Glacier Road! Consider yourself warned, though – this mountain road is for seasoned drivers only. Winding its way up into the Ötztal Alps, this beauty clocks in at 13 km (8 miles) connecting Sölden directly to the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach Glaciers. Pro tip: these glaciers are connected by the epic 1.7km-long Rosi Mittermeier Tunnel, one of the highest road tunnels in Europe. Reaching a staggering 2,830m (9,285ft) above sea level, you'll feel like you're on top of the world! The road is paved and in great condition, featuring insane twists and turns. It's a toll road, BUT skiers with a valid pass and cyclists get to cruise for free! Is it worth it? A thousand times yes! This is a pure hidden gem. Every single curve offers a new, mind-blowing view, so make sure your camera is charged. Fun fact: it was even used in a chase scene in the Bond movie *Spectre*! Plus, you'll find tons of high-altitude hiking trails. Originally built in 1972, the road is wide enough for buses and lorries (up to 38 tons). Just a heads up: snow chains are advisable in winter. It can snow unexpectedly up there. The road is only open when it's considered safe (no avalanches!). In the autumn months, be prepared for any kind of weather. Snow chains and steel tracks might be required year-round. Due to the altitude, the weather can change in a heartbeat, so pack accordingly! **The key stats:** * Sölden - Rettenbach Glacier: approx. 13 km * Rettenbach Glacier - Tiefenbach Glacier approx. 3 km * Average elevation gain: 11% * Maximum elevation gain: 13% * Highest point: 2,830m (9,285ft) * Standard Width: 5 m (2 lanes)
hardUltimate 4wd destination: Laghi di Cedec
🇮🇹 Italy
# Laghi di Cedèc: A Wild Alpine Adventure Want to experience one of Italy's most dramatic high-altitude drives? Laghi di Cedèc is a stunning mountain lake sitting pretty at 2,833 meters (9,294 feet) in the Sondrio province of Lombardy, nestled within the magnificent Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio in the northern Alps. Fair warning: this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road here is completely off-limits during winter, and year-round access is restricted to authorized vehicles only. The entire route is unpaved, so if you're not comfortable tackling serious mountain tracks, this probably isn't for you. You'll definitely need a proper 4x4 to make it work. Starting from Santa Caterina di Valfurva, you're looking at an 11.8 km (7.33 mile) climb with a brutal 1,104-meter elevation gain—that's an average gradient of 9.35%. Translation? Steep doesn't even begin to cover it. This ranks among Italy's highest roads for a reason. Be particularly prepared for the roughest section: the first 1.4 km beyond Rifugio Pizzini (at 2,706m/8,877ft) features some genuinely gnarly terrain that'll test your driving skills and your vehicle's suspension. If you've got a solid 4x4 and nerves of steel, the views and sense of accomplishment at the top make this epic journey absolutely unforgettable.
hardPuerto del Escudo
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto del Escudo: A Thrilling Alpine Challenge Nestled between Cantabria and Castile in Spain's scenic Luena valley, Puerto del Escudo sits at a serious 1,011m elevation—and trust me, you'll *feel* every meter of it. This mountain pass is no joke for drivers or cyclists alike. The fully asphalted N623 road is relentless, with steep sections that'll make your palms sweat. We're talking double-digit gradients throughout, with some brutal stretches hitting 12-13% (and the Cantabrian side can even spike to 15%). There's no mercy here—no flat sections to catch your breath between climbs. Winter closures are pretty common thanks to heavy snowfall, so plan accordingly if you're tackling this in colder months. The area's also notorious for thick mist and poor visibility, which definitely adds to the challenge. Big rigs dread this road for good reason. The pass has earned some serious cycling cred, having featured in Spain's prestigious Vuelta race. You've got two main routes up: the shorter 4km grind from Corconte (158m elevation gain, averaging 4%) is deceptively tough in its intensity, while the longer 16km slog from Entrambasmestas (801m elevation gain, 5% average) tests your endurance in a different way. Whether you're driving or cycling, Puerto del Escudo demands respect and preparation.
extremeThe challenging path to Durannapass
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Durannapass: A True Alpine Adventure Tucked away in the Prättigau/Davos district of Switzerland's Graubünden canton, Durannapass sits at an impressive 2,117 meters (6,945 feet) above sea level. This isn't your typical mountain pass experience—it's the real deal for serious adventurers. Here's the thing: the road to the summit is completely unpaved and genuinely narrow. We're talking so narrow that most vehicles simply can't make it through. This rocky trail transforms into a serious challenge, staying pretty much impassable from October through June depending on what Mother Nature throws at you. Even when conditions allow access, expect loose gravel throughout, especially creeping in from the road's edges. The dramatic alpine scenery and sense of accomplishment make this a bucket-list destination for hardcore road enthusiasts. Just make sure you're visiting during the brief summer window and come prepared for one of Switzerland's most challenging mountain passages. This isn't a casual Sunday drive—it's an expedition.