
A narrow paved road to the top of Monte Cesen
Italy, europe
181 km
1,504 m
hard
Year-round
# Monte Cesen da Valdobbiadene: A Thrilling Alpine Climb
Tucked away in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy, Monte Cesen da Valdobbiadene is a stunning 1,504-meter peak that'll reward your driving skills with breathtaking mountain views. The summit is home to a weather station, a poignant Monument to the Fallen of Mount Cesen, and the charming Malga Mariech—perfect for grabbing a bite or spending the night.
**What to expect on the drive:**
Starting from Valdobbiadene, you're looking at an 18.1-kilometer journey with a serious 1,250-meter elevation gain. Yeah, that's no joke. The average gradient sits at 6.9%, but don't get comfortable—some of those switchbacks will throw 11-12% grades at you when you least expect it.
Here's the catch: the road is fully paved, which is great news for traction, but it's narrow—*really* narrow. You'll be doing some careful maneuvering since two cars can't really pass each other. Take your time, enjoy the hairpin turns, and soak in those Venetian Alps views. This climb is definitely for drivers who don't mind a challenge and have decent vehicle handling skills. Worth every twist and turn.
Where is it?
A narrow paved road to the top of Monte Cesen is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 43.4355, 11.8721
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 181 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,504 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 43.4355, 11.8721
Related Roads in europe
extremeCol des Frettes
🇫🇷 France
Col des Frettes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.386m (7,828ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. The road is extreme. It’s gravel and follows the unpaved ski-lift service roads. The surface is rocky with lots of slippery gravel, but never ridiculously steep. With such a high summit altitude the road can be closed anytime due to snowfalls. Pic: Fred Marchadier. http://www.savoie-mont-blanc.com/offre/fiche/panoramic-col-de-la-chal/717564 The Legendary Climb to Avoriaz: A Tour de France Icon in the Alps Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateWhere are the Gorges de la Meouge?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Hautes-Alpes department of France, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, ready for an adventure. You're about to hit the Gorges de la Méouge, a spectacular canyon carved by the Méouge river itself! This isn't just any drive; it's a 10km (6.21 miles) stretch of pure "balcony road" bliss. Think dramatic views as you wind along the D942, linking Le Plan and Barret-sur-Méouge. But fair warning: this baby is narrow! We're talking squeeze-past-each-other narrow, especially in the unlit tunnel. Two medium-sized cars? Forget about it. The road is entirely paved, so no need for a 4x4. But it's carved right into the mountainside. This road is not for the faint of heart; if heights make you sweat, maybe sit this one out. But if you're brave enough, the views are SO worth it. And when you need a break, the Méouge river is right there, begging you for a refreshing dip. Trust me, this one's a stunner!
hardHow long is Coll de Soller in Mallorca?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, cyclists and road trip lovers, listen up! You absolutely HAVE to experience the Coll de Soller if you're ever on the stunning island of Mallorca, Spain. Nestled in the Tramuntana mountains, this paved road (MA-11A) is a climb you won't forget. Clocking in at 10.7 km (6.64 miles), starting and ending on the MA-11 road, don't let the length fool you. This beauty packs a punch! We're talking 52 hairpin turns that will have you grinning (or reaching for the motion sickness pills!). Some sections get seriously steep, hitting a maximum gradient of 12.7%. Keep an eye out for goats who sometimes wander onto the road! The Coll de Soller isn't just a challenging drive; it's a scenic feast! The road winds its way up to 508m (1,666ft), offering incredible views north towards the sea and south over the island towards Palma. Allow about 25-35 minutes to conquer it without stopping, but trust me, you'll WANT to stop. The road can get busy in summer, but the good news is it’s open year-round. Up at the summit, you’ll find a couple of restaurants (Restaurant Dalt d'es Coll and Ca'n Topa, Coll de Sóller) with seasonal opening times where you can refuel and soak in the views. Because of the twisty nature, a tunnel was built to bypass this road, which now means the road is rarely traveled by cars, meaning you get to enjoy a more peaceful experience. This is one road trip that will stay with you long after you've left Mallorca!
hardHow to reach Pas des Chapelets from Courchevel?
🇫🇷 France
Cruising through the French Alps? You've GOT to check out the climb from Courchevel up to Pas des Chapelets. It's tucked away in the Savoie, right in the heart of the Tarentaise Valley, inside the stunning Vanoise National Park. Okay, so getting there isn't exactly a Sunday drive. We're talking around 8 kilometers of serious switchbacks – like, FIFTEEN hairpin turns that'll keep you on your toes! The road starts paved, but heads up, it turns to gravel as you climb towards the ski station. A bit of ground clearance on your vehicle is a major plus for those final, bumpy stretches. Keep in mind, this is primarily a service road for the ski lifts, so it's a no-go in winter when it's covered in snow and skiers. But in summer? The views are absolutely unreal from the top. At over 2,300 meters, you’ll be overlooking the whole of Vanoise National Park with views of jagged peaks and alpine meadows. Seriously breathtaking. The air gets thin up there, and the weather can flip on a dime, so be prepared! Heads up on the hazards: the gradients are STEEP. Plus, the road gets narrow, and you might be sharing it with maintenance trucks, mountain bikers, and hikers. Those hairpins demand your full attention, and the gravel sections can be a bit loose. Definitely give your brakes a check before heading down; that descent is a long one!