Colle del Pis

Colle del Pis

Italy, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,524 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk Colle del Pis! Picture this: you're in the Italian Alps, practically spitting distance from France, and you're about to tackle a climb to 2,524 meters (that's 8,280 feet!).

Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a rocky, gravelly path, technically a chairlift access trail. Oh, and did I mention some sections hit a gradient of 30%? Yeah, it's *steep*. This route is only truly accessible for a short window, think late August. Plus, it's windy. Like, *really* windy, being up in the mountains. But hey, think of the views! If you're up for a challenging trek with breathtaking scenery, Colle del Pis is calling your name.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,524 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Collado de los Cadavalesmoderate

Collado de los Cadavales

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, adventurers, let's talk about Collado de los Cadavales, a seriously epic mountain pass tucked away in the Asturias region of northern Spain. We're talking a lofty 1,351 meters (4,432 feet) above sea level! You'll find it nestled within the Sierra de la Cabra mountains. Be warned: this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road morphs into a gravelly, rocky, and sometimes grassy track as it climbs towards Pico Patana, hitting a peak of 1,526 meters (5,006 feet). Think remote! You absolutely need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to conquer this beast. It's technically open year-round, but Mother Nature has the final say. Expect potential closures during winter's wrath. And remember, mountain weather is notoriously fickle, so be prepared for rapid changes! The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking.

Driving the wild road to Capanna Adulahard

Driving the wild road to Capanna Adula

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Road to Capanna Adula: A Swiss Alpine Adventure Nestled in Ticino's Blenio district, Capanna Adula sits pretty at 2,044m (6,706ft), cradled at the base of the canton's highest mountain. Getting there? That's half the fun—if you're ready for it. Starting from the charming village of Ghirone (1,252m), you've got a wild 13.1km (8.13 miles) journey ahead. Fair warning: you'll absolutely need a 4x4 for this one. The road kicks off with some pavement before diving into unpaved terrain, climbing a serious 792 meters with a hefty 6.04% average gradient. Those 13 hairpin turns? Yeah, they're tight. The route is pure mountain magic. First, you'll wind up to the stunning Lago di Luzzone (1,606m), a pristine alpine lake that's home to something wild—the world's tallest artificial climbing wall, right on the dam. Then things get seriously gnarly. The road narrows dramatically as it corkscrews upward through eye-watering hairpins before plunging into the Tunnel Carassina (also called Tunnel Luzzone). Brace yourself: this might be the tightest tunnel you'll ever drive through that's actually open to vehicles. After emerging from that claustrophobic thrill, a gentle 500m gravel stretch leads you to Passo Muazz (1,700m). From there, a final easy climb past a parking area takes you to Lago di Carassino and your destination—the welcoming Capanna Adula refuge. This drive delivers serious alpine scenery with an edge.

A brutally steep (23%) road to Turracher Hohe pass in Austriamoderate

A brutally steep (23%) road to Turracher Hohe pass in Austria

🇦🇹 Austria

# Turracher Höhe: Austria's Alpine Thrill Ride Want to experience one of the Alps' most intense driving challenges? Head to the Turracher Höhe, a jaw-dropping mountain pass sitting at 1,802 meters (5,912 feet) right on the border between Carinthia and Styria in southern Austria. This 34.5 km (21.43 miles) route—officially called the Turracher Road (B95)—runs north-south from Patergassen to Predlitz, and it's completely paved. Don't let that fool you though: you'll encounter sections with a punishing 23% gradient that'll definitely get your adrenaline pumping. In its heyday, this road was actually Europe's steepest Alpine pass, boasting gradients up to 34% around the 60-kilometer mark. It was so intense that Porsche used it as a testing ground for their high-performance vehicles. The scenery is absolutely stunning, nestled high in the Nock mountains within the western Gurktal Alps. Most drivers will complete the route in 35-45 minutes without stopping, though you'll probably want to pause and soak in the views. Good news for year-round adventurers: the pass stays open nearly 365 days a year. Winter weather might occasionally cause brief closures, but the road is generally well-maintained and cleared throughout the snowy season, so you can tackle this beast in almost any season. Just respect the mountain, respect the gradient, and you're in for an unforgettable Alpine experience.

Where is the road from Val Thorens to Orelle in France?extreme

Where is the road from Val Thorens to Orelle in France?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps, specifically the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, on an epic adventure from Val Thorens to Orelle. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks! This is one of Europe's highest roads, peaking at a staggering 3,007 meters (9,865 feet). Located in the Tarentaise Valley, this isn't a quick trip; it's a 28.3 km (17.58 miles) unpaved beast of a road, originally a ski-lift service route connecting Val Thorens (Europe's highest ski resort) with the village of Orelle. Get ready for 55 hairpin turns that will test your driving skills, each one numbered so you know exactly how much excitement awaits. Open usually only in July and August, weather permitting, this road isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking 4x4 territory here. You'll be following the chairlift's path, sometimes passing right underneath it. The gradient averages 10.4%, but some corners ramp up to 17-18%! Prepare for seriously stunning panoramic views of countless peaks across France, Switzerland, and Italy. But remember, this road is raw and untamed. No guardrails, no painted lines, just you, your vehicle, and some seriously dramatic cliffs. It’s an intense, unforgettable drive.