An old military road to Lago d'Arpon
Italy, europe
N/A
1,830 m
extreme
Year-round
# Lago d'Arpon: Not for the Faint of Heart
Perched at 1,830 meters (6,003 feet) on the France-Italy border, Lago d'Arpon is a stunning alpine destination—but getting there? That's an adventure in itself.
This isn't your typical scenic drive. The road to the lake (also called Lago dell'Arpone) is brutally challenging and strictly 4x4 territory. Forget about winter visits entirely; snow makes this route completely impassable. As you climb up toward Lac de Roterel, you're testing not just your vehicle's capabilities but your nerves too. The views? Absolutely breathtaking—those mountain vistas are postcard-worthy. But here's the catch: they come with a side of serious exposure. Long stretches feature nothing between you and a several-hundred-meter drop except open air and loose gravel.
If you're the type who gets dizzy looking down from a tall building, or if landslides keep you up at night, this probably isn't your road. There are no guardrails to reassure you, and the gravel surface demands respect.
What makes this route even cooler? It's a historic military road, part of a network built across the French and Italian Alps starting in the late 1800s and heavily developed during World War I. You're literally driving a piece of alpine military history while staring down some of Europe's most dramatic scenery.
Only go if you're confident, experienced, and genuinely ready for it.
Where is it?
An old military road to Lago d'Arpon is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 41.8497, 13.1597
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 1,830 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 41.8497, 13.1597
Related Roads in europe
hardThe Storehaug Tunnel Old Road is said to be one of the scariest roads in Vestland County
🇳🇴 Norway
# Old RV13: Norway's Infamous Mountain Challenge Nestled in Vestland County near Vik, this notorious stretch of the old RV13 is not for the faint of heart. This brief 1.93 km (1.19 miles) detour sits at a jaw-dropping 980 m (3,215 ft) elevation, offering stunning views—if you can keep your eyes on the road. Here's where it gets sketchy: what was once a properly paved route has deteriorated significantly over the years thanks to Norway's brutal weather. Today, it's a muddy, slippery mess that transforms into a genuinely treacherous drive after rain. Add in those stomach-churning drop-offs, and you've got a recipe for white-knuckle driving at its finest. The road's reputation got so gnarly that authorities decided enough was enough. Back in 1981, they carved out the Storehaugtunnelen—a 1,044-meter tunnel that bypasses this sketchy section entirely. Smart move, honestly. The tunnel was built specifically to dodge all the hazards the old mountain road throws at you: the steep grades, the mud, and the landslide risk. So while this forgotten stretch of asphalt has definitely seen better days, it remains a wild testament to the raw power of Scandinavian nature. These days, most sensible drivers take the tunnel and call it a day.
hardThe road to Radici Pass: be ready to make room for oncoming vehicles
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo delle Radici: A Alpine Adventure in the Heart of Italy Ready for a scenic mountain escape? Passo delle Radici is a stunning high-altitude pass sitting pretty at 1,529m (5,016ft), straddling the border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany in the picturesque Italian Apennines. The 37.5km (23.30 miles) route runs west-east from Castiglione di Garfagnana (near Lucca) to Pievepelago (in Modena province), and trust us—every kilometer is worth it. The road itself is fully paved but charmingly narrow, with some sections climbing at a teeth-gritting 10% gradient. You'll navigate it via Strada Provinciale 72 on the northern approach and Strada Provinciale 324 heading south. Once you reach the summit, you'll find a welcoming hotel, a cozy bar-restaurant, and a tiny mountain chapel perfect for catching your breath (and your Instagram moment). Feeling adventurous? A tiny paved road continues south toward Passo di Pradaccio, another spectacular pass sitting even higher at 1,617m (5,305ft)—it's like a bonus-level mountain experience. This is the kind of drive that reminds you why Italy's mountain roads are legendary: challenging enough to keep you engaged, beautiful enough to steal your heart, and rewarding enough to plan your next visit the moment you descend.
extremeWhere is the road to Lagu Terciellu?
🇪🇸 Spain
Located in the southern part of the Principality of Asturias, in northern Spain, is a high mountain lake at an elevation of above sea level. Situated within the Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park , a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the road to the lake is a formidable challenge for off-roaders, known for its sustained verticality and breathtaking Cantabrian scenery. Road facts: Lagu Terciellu Asturias, Spain (Las Ubiñas-La Mesa) Where is the road to Lagu Terciellu? The road to the lake is a rugged mountain track officially known as . It starts from the small settlement of . The route penetrates deep into the central area of the Cantabrian Mountains, climbing through limestone massifs and high-altitude pastures. The area is a land of great beauty, ideal for nature lovers, but the driver's focus must remain on the track due to the technical nature of the climb and the stunning but distracting scenery. Is the road to Lagu Terciellu unpaved? Yes, the road to the summit is totally unpaved, narrow, and very steep with high ground clearance and low-range gearing is strictly required to navigate the Camín de La Poza. The surface consists of natural earth and loose limestone rock, which can be extremely slippery. Due to the high elevations and exposure, the road is subject to strong winds and rapid weather changes. During the ascent, you will be blown away by the raw beauty of the peaks, but the lack of safety barriers means there is no room for error on the narrowest sections. How long is the road to Lagu Terciellu? Starting from Las Vallinas, the drive is 5.6 km (3.4 miles) long . While the distance is relatively short, the climb is very demanding: over this stretch, the road tackles an elevation gain of 634 meters . This results in a brutal average gradient of 11.32% . This high percentage is relentless, with almost no sections for the engine or brakes to cool down. Maintaining constant traction on the 11% slope requires a steady foot and a capable vehicle, as any stop on the steepest unpaved ramps can make restarting the climb very difficult. Is the road to Lagu Terciellu open in winter? Technically, the road is open to traffic throughout the year, but it may be closed for short periods in winter during heavy snowfalls or extreme weather. At 1,435 meters, snow and ice can turn the steep 11.32% grade into an impassable slide. Even in good weather, make for tough driving along the muddy sections of the track. Before attempting this demanding Asturian climb, ensure your vehicle is in top mechanical condition and check the local weather forecast for the Las Ubiñas-La Mesa area, as the weather can turn treacherous in minutes. Discover the Breathtaking AL-5107 Coastal Road and the Scenic Beauty of Almeria Driving the stunning road through Barranco de Guayadeque on the Canary Islands 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.
hardA wild gravel road to Lagada Beach in Greece
🇬🇷 Greece
# Kakia Lagada: Greece's Hidden Gem Beach Nestled on the eastern shore of Kythera—a charming Greek island with Ionian roots—lies Kakia Lagada, a secluded paradise that'll make your Instagram feed jealous. Picture-perfect sandy shores, crystalline waters, and views that'll take your breath away. But here's the thing: if white-knuckle cliff driving and narrow winding roads make you nervous, this one might not be for you. Getting there is definitely an adventure. From Ag. Pelagia, you're looking at just 2.8 km of rough, unpaved road that demands respect and careful navigation. The route winds through the dramatic Paleochora canyon before depositing you at this hidden slice of heaven. Lucky for you, there's a parking area right at the beach entrance. Once you arrive, though? Pure bliss. The beach comes fully equipped with a well-stocked canteen, loungers, umbrellas, and—if you're feeling sporty—regular volleyball tournaments. Come winter, the canyon's runoff creates a stunning lagoon right behind the beach, transforming the whole landscape into something even more magical. It's narrow, it's rugged, and it definitely isn't your typical tourist beach. But for those willing to brave the drive, Kakia Lagada rewards you with exactly what most travelers are searching for: authenticity, natural beauty, and a place that feels genuinely undiscovered.