Colle San Carlo is an Absolute Must for Road Lovers
Italy, europe
18.5 km
1,954 m
hard
Year-round
# Colle San Carlo: A Alpine Adventure in Valle d'Aosta
Tucked away in Italy's stunning Valle d'Aosta region, Colle San Carlo is a mountain pass that sits pretty at 1,954m (6,410ft) in the heart of the Graian Alps. This corner of the northwestern Alps is pure driving bliss for those who crave twisty roads and epic scenery.
The fully paved Strada Regionale 39 stretches 18.5 km (11.49 miles) from La Thuile to Morgex, and here's the best part—you'll barely see another car. The road is an endless ribbon of curves and hairpin turns that'll keep you fully engaged the entire way.
If you're coming from La Thuile, you're looking at a 7 km push uphill with 530 meters of elevation gain and an average gradient of 7.6%—totally manageable. But if you're tackling it from the Morgex side, buckle up: the 10.5 km climb dishes up 1,049 meters of elevation, averaging 10% with sections that hit a brutal 13%. This pass has earned its stripes, appearing multiple times in the legendary Giro d'Italia race.
The steep switchbacks, the crisp mountain air, the dramatic Alpine landscape—Colle San Carlo is everything you want in a high-altitude driving experience.
Where is it?
Colle San Carlo is an Absolute Must for Road Lovers is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.7869, 12.9536
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 18.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,954 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.7869, 12.9536
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