Where is the Edelweissspitze?
Austria, europe
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hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the heart of Austria, Salzburg to be exact, and you're heading up to the Edelweissspitze, a mountain peak that's seriously high up. At the very top, you'll find a mountain inn, built way back in 1935, and trust me, it's been *the* place to be ever since. The views? Unreal. You're talking about seeing thirty-seven peaks that are over 3,000 meters high!
The road itself? Oh, it's an adventure. Paved all the way, but get ready for some serious curves and hairpin turns, especially that final stretch. It's not crazy difficult, but it's narrow, so keep that in mind if you're driving anything bigger than a regular vehicle (no caravans or heavy vehicles allowed!).
This little detour is part of the larger Grossglockner High Alpine Road. The Edelweissspitze stretch is only a small part of the whole experience. The whole thing climbs quite a bit! Get ready for awesome scenery and a drive you won't forget!
Related Roads in europe
extremeThe legendary Col d'Aubisque is an iconic Tour de France climb
🇫🇷 France
# Col d'Aubisque: A Legendary Alpine Adventure If you're a cycling fan or just love epic mountain drives, Col d'Aubisque absolutely has to be on your bucket list. Perched at 1,713m (5,620ft) in France's Aquitaine region, this iconic pass straddles the border between Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrénées in the southwestern corner of the country. The whole 45km route along the legendary D918 winds west-east from Laruns to Argelès-Gazost, and honestly? It's pure magic. This isn't just any mountain road—it's a balcony-style drive carved into the mountainside back in the early 1900s, offering jaw-dropping panoramas at every switchback. The scenery is genuinely spectacular, with sweeping views of both departments stretching out beneath you. Now, let's be real: this climb is *steep*. We're talking up to 14.8% gradients in sections, especially through the incredibly narrow Cirque du Litor. It's the kind of road that'll get your adrenaline pumping and your respect for the Tour de France cyclists soaring. Speaking of which—this pass is legendary in cycling circles. It's been crushing riders since 1910 and holds a spot alongside the Tourmalet and Galibier as one of the Tour's "big three" climbs. You'll spot monuments at the summit celebrating the cycling history made here. All the pavement is in excellent condition, and there's even a year-round café at the top—perfect for refueling and soaking in those views with a well-deserved coffee. Just keep in mind the road typically closes from December through June due to snow, so plan your trip accordingly. This is one drive that's absolutely worth the wait.
hardWhere is the road to Colle Ciarbonet located?
🇮🇹 Italy
Colle Ciarbonet, nestled high in Italy's Piedmont region (Cuneo province), is a real hidden gem! This old military road climbs to a whopping 2,290 meters (7,513 feet) and offers an off-the-beaten-path adventure through the stunning Unerzio Valley, right near the French border. Forget smooth asphalt—this route is all about rugged gravel and dirt! It's a proper unpaved climb from a village that will put your driving skills to the test. Think tight hairpin turns and a narrow track carved into the mountainside. Starting from the tiny village of Chialvetta, the road climbs. Over that stretch, you'll gain some serious altitude, with an average gradient of around 9.5% and some sections hitting nearly 13%! A 4x4 is definitely your best friend here – the road can be steep and rocky. Keep in mind, this route is typically closed from September to June due to snow. The best time to tackle it is during the summer months when the gravel is dry. But the views? Absolutely worth it! Prepare for breathtaking Alpine scenery, jagged limestone peaks, and those classic lush green Italian valleys. Reaching the summit feels like escaping to another world, a tranquil spot far from the crowds!
extremeWhere is Unterrothorn?
🇨🇠Switzerland
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! High in the Swiss Alps, in the canton of Valais, lies a beast of a road leading to the Unterrothorn summit. We're talking seriously high altitude here. You'll be rewarded with breathtaking vistas of Zermatt, a paradise for skiing, climbing, and hiking enthusiasts. Now, for the road itself: picture this: a mostly paved but very challenging climb, thanks to some unbelievably steep sections. It’s around long with parts of the drive being part of a chairlift access trail. Plus, forget about driving your own car, as it's closed to private vehicles. And, as you might expect, it's completely impassable during winter. Trust me, this road is a wild ride, one of the highest in Switzerland, offering views that'll make your jaw drop.
hardMonte della Guardia
🇮🇹 Italy
# Monte della Guardia: Piedmont's Ultimate Mountain Challenge Ready for an adventure that'll test your driving skills? Monte della Guardia sits pretty at 1,654 meters (5,426 feet) in Italy's stunning Piedmont region, and getting to the top is definitely not for the faint of heart. This isn't your typical mountain drive. The road narrows to the point where passing another vehicle turns into a serious game of strategy—we're talking potentially backing up for several kilometers on those winding curves just to find a spot wide enough to squeeze past each other. If reversing on mountain roads makes you nervous, this one's probably not your jam. The adventure starts reasonably enough on the paved Strada Provinciale 216, but then things get real. Most of the route transitions to gravel, which means that fancy two-wheel-drive car you were thinking about? Leave it at home. And here's the kicker: when it rains, the whole thing becomes incredibly slippery. Wet gravel and hairpin turns aren't exactly a winning combination. So if you're the type who loves a proper challenge, knows their way around a steering wheel, and doesn't mind white-knuckling it up a mountain in Piedmont, Monte della Guardia is calling your name. Just make sure you're comfortable with reverse, comfortable with gravel, and absolutely certain you don't mind the occasional adrenaline spike.