An epic enthralling road to Colle Basset
Italy, europe
30 km
2,424 m
moderate
Year-round
# Colle Basset
Want to tackle a true alpine adventure? Colle Basset sits at a breathtaking 2,424 meters (7,952 feet) in the Metropolitan City of Turin, nestled in Italy's stunning Piedmont region up in the northern Alps.
This pass is one of the crown jewels along the iconic Assietta Road (SP 173), which winds its way from Susa to Sestriere through some of the most spectacular scenery the western Italian Alps have to offer. It's the first pass you'll hit when approaching from the Sestriere side, and trust us—the views are absolutely worth it.
Here's the real deal: the entire route is unpaved. This military ridge road connects Pian dell'Alpe to Sestriere on what feels like the top of the world. Fair warning though—it's rocky and rough, especially through the curves, so you'll need to take it slow. The speed limit is capped at 30 km/h, and overtaking and stopping are only allowed in designated parking areas. Doable? Absolutely. Easy? Not quite.
One more thing to know: this road only opens from June 1st through October 31st, so plan your visit accordingly. Those summer and early fall months are your window to experience this unforgettable alpine crossing.
Where is it?
An epic enthralling road to Colle Basset is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 41.6773, 12.2327
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 30 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,424 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 41.6773, 12.2327
Related Roads in europe
moderateLa Riposa Refuge
🇮🇹 Italy
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Let me tell you about Rifugio La Riposa, a sweet mountain refuge nestled way up in Piedmont, Italy, at a cool 2,205m (that's 7,230 ft for you imperial system folks). Getting there is a proper adventure in itself! Forget smooth tarmac; you're looking at 21.1km of gravel and dirt track. Seriously, a 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's essential. And forget about it in the winter – this road is usually buried under snow. The climb isn't for the faint of heart either, with an average gradient of 8.1% and sections hitting a thigh-burning 15%! But trust me, the views are SO worth it. Plus, you'll find the Forte del Monte Scale along the way.
easyLærdal Tunnel is the longest road tunnel in the world
🇳🇴 Norway
# The Lærdal Tunnel: Norway's Underground Marvel Hidden beneath the mountains of Sogn og Fjordane county lies the world's longest road tunnel—and if you're claustrophobic, you might want to skip this one! Stretching an impressive 24.5 kilometers (15.2 miles), the Lærdal Tunnel is an engineering feat that'll blow your mind. This two-lane highway carries the European Route E16, connecting the charming villages of Aurland and Lærdal while bypassing the stunning 47km Aurlandsfjellet—a scenic mountain route that's now optional for travelers. Tucked in southwestern Norway, the tunnel is surprisingly quick to traverse. At the 80 km/h speed limit, you're looking at about 20 minutes underground—and here's the best part: it's completely toll-free. No hidden costs, no surprise fees. Built in the mid-1990s and opening in 2000, this tunnel was designed to revolutionize winter travel between Oslo and Bergen by eliminating treacherous mountain passes and ferry connections. Smart move! Here's where it gets interesting: the tunnel has no traditional emergency exits. Instead, engineers divided it into sections with wider chambers every 6 kilometers that create the psychological illusion of traveling through multiple tunnels. It's genius design mixed with psychology. The team even brought in specialists from SINTEF to tackle the monotony factor—they installed special lighting and fluorescent panels throughout to keep drivers alert and comfortable. It's a thrilling drive through one of the world's most impressive pieces of infrastructure.
hardDriving the infamous D220-Les Travers, a French balcony road
🇫🇷 France
# Route Departementale 220: France's Jaw-Dropping Mountain Corniche If you're hunting for one of France's most dramatic scenic drives, head to the Isère department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. Route Departementale 220—locals call it Les Travers—is a short but utterly spectacular mountain road that'll have your heart racing for all the right reasons. This 5.7 km (3.54 miles) ribbon of asphalt winds west to east from D1091 to D213, hugging the mountainside as it makes its way toward Les Deux Alpes. And here's the thing: you'll be driving along a genuine cliff face with nothing but a foot-high wall between you and a absolutely insane drop down to the valley. The views toward Col de Sarenne are seriously stunning. Now, let's be real—this road is no joke. The most dramatic section is genuinely narrow (we're talking traffic lights at the tightest spots), with single-track portions and overhanging rock that demand serious respect. Heavy vehicles aren't even allowed, which tells you something. It's one of France's most famous balcony roads near Bourg d'Oisans, and for good reason. Fair warning though: it's busier than you'd expect for such a wild route, so if you were hoping for a peaceful cycling adventure, you might want to look elsewhere. The road typically stays open year-round, but winter snow and falling rocks can force closures, so check conditions before you go. Ready for the experience? This is balcony driving at its finest.
extremeCol de la Machine is a French balcony road
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Machine: France's Most Jaw-Dropping Alpine Drive Ready for one of the most spectacular—and slightly nerve-wracking—drives in the French Alps? Welcome to Col de la Machine, sitting pretty at 1,011m (3,316ft) in the Drôme department of southeastern France. This legendary 31km stretch of road (D76, aka Combe Laval Road) connects Saint-Jean-en-Royans to Vassieux-en-Vercors and has been turning heads since its construction wrapped up in 1898. Fair warning: this isn't your average mountain pass. Built directly into the face of the Vercors massif, the road clings to near-vertical cliffs with gut-churning drops that'll make you grip the steering wheel a little tighter. The route features dramatic natural tunnels, carved-out rock arches, and some seriously exposed sections that make even seasoned alpine drivers sit up straighter. The landscape is absolutely stunning—towering limestone formations tower above you, and the sheer scale of the engineering feat is mind-blowing. Those brief tunnels offer respite, but they also remind you just how dramatically this road was literally carved into the mountainside. The paved surface is solid, but the real challenge is psychological: that vertiginous drop to one side demands respect and focus, especially if you're on two wheels. If you're chasing one of Europe's most breathtaking drives, this is it. Just maybe leave the white-knuckle moment for the highlight reel.