Driving the road to Picco Pass is not a piece of cake
Italy, europe
20 km
1,870 m
hard
Year-round
# Passo di Picco: Not Your Average Alpine Drive
Perched at a breathtaking 1,870 meters (6,135 feet) in the heart of the central Alps, Passo di Picco is a mountain pass that demands respect. Located in Brescia province in Lombardy, this isn't your typical scenic drive—it's an adventure for experienced drivers only.
The 8.8-kilometer stretch from Doverio winds upward with serious attitude. We're talking grades that hit 20% in places, rough asphalt that's seen better days, and a road so narrow they've capped the speed limit at a cautious 20 km/h. Trucks and semi-trucks are completely banned here, which tells you something about how gnarly it gets. Winter? Forget about it—the pass shuts down entirely.
What makes this route particularly intense is its history as an old military track, which explains the erratic surface and relentless switchbacks. The views are genuinely stunning—those Alps don't disappoint—but you'll need to keep your eyes mostly on the road ahead.
This isn't a route for learning on. Oncoming traffic in tight corners, overtaking scenarios, and the constant steep grades mean you need solid mountain driving skills. Stay alert, drive defensively, and take your time. The pass will reward careful drivers with unforgettable alpine scenery and serious bragging rights.
Where is it?
Driving the road to Picco Pass is not a piece of cake is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.1412, 13.0523
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 20 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,870 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.1412, 13.0523
Related Roads in europe
hardColverde Refuge
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're in the Italian Dolomites, in the gorgeous Primiero valley, ready for an adventure. Forget the well-paved tourist traps, we're heading up to Rifugio Colverde, a mountain hut perched at almost 6,500 feet! Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a rough and ready, unpaved service road – think chairlift access, not luxury sedan. It's only a little over a mile long from the parking lot off Via Passo Rolle in San Martino di Castrozza, but in that short distance, you climb over 1500 feet! That's an insane average gradient of over 23%, with sections hitting a crazy 30%. Expect a steep dirt track winding through the woods, maybe a bit washed out. And hold onto your hat, because up here, the wind *always* seems to be howling. But trust me, the views from the top are worth every bump and gust. Get ready for some serious scenery!
moderateWhere Is Carretera de la Cabra?
🇪🇸 Spain
Cruising through the Granada province of Spain? You absolutely HAVE to check out the A-4050! This is one of the most gorgeous drives in southern Spain, hands down. Just remember it’s a mountain road, so those hairpin turns come fast and furious! Locals call it Carretera de la Cabra, or "The Goat's Path" – a seriously cool name, right? You'll find this gem hugging the Mediterranean coast in Andalusia. At 62.2 km long, the Mountain Goat Road winds between Almuñécar and Otura, with some seriously stunning scenery along the way. Think lush subtropical fruits and vegetation – you're in the heart of Tropical Valley! The road itself is fully paved and climbs up to 1,363 meters (4,471 ft). It’s a proper two-lane road, but keep an eye out for the occasional lorry. Honestly, though, the best part is this road is almost deserted now! The highway is much faster, so this is perfect for a chill drive, or even a bike ride! The most epic part? There's a small tunnel and then the road just *clings* to the side of the valley with a sheer drop to your right! Talk about a view. Seriously, don't miss this drive.
moderateWhere is Col de la Cayolle?
🇫🇷 France
Col de la Cayolle is a seriously high mountain pass, topping out at 2,339m (7,673ft) in the French Alps. You'll find it in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, specifically the Ubaye Valley within the Parc National du Mercantour, right on the border of the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments. Picture this: you're driving along the D2202, part of the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes, tracing the source of the Var River as it heads towards Nice. This paved but narrow road stretches for 40.2km (24.97 miles) from Uvernet-Fours in the north to Entraunes in the south. Keep in mind, though, that it's typically closed from October to June/July due to snow. When it's open, you'll find a mountain refuge and parking at the summit. Heads up, though: heavier vehicles and caravans aren't allowed. Originally built by the army in 1914, the Cayolle has some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting up to 10%. Plus, a portion north of the pass is famous as one of France's best "balcony roads". It gets a fair amount of traffic in the summer, so be prepared to share the road! The views alone make the trip worthwhile.
moderateIs Col de Bavella paved?
🇫🇷 France
Col de Bavella is a must-see mountain pass sitting way up high at 1,226m (4,022ft) in southern Corsica. Seriously, it's one of the highest roads you'll find on the island! Perched in the Alta Rocca mountains, the D268 is totally paved. This road is famous for being super scenic, showing off the stunning Corsican coast below, but heads up, it gets packed in summer! The winding road is full of hairpin turns. The views of the fascinating mountains all around are amazing. It's a dramatic drive from the mountains to the coast, with plenty of spots to pull over and soak it all in. The road follows the Solenzara river, so keep an eye out for rock pools and canyons where you can take a dip! Fiumicelle is a particularly great swimming spot along the river. The pass itself has bars, restaurants, and shops, plus a grassy area with pine trees that's perfect for picnics. It's about 38.4 km (23.86 miles) long, stretching from Zonza towards the sea. If you're coming from Zonza, it's an 8.9 km climb, gaining 440 meters in elevation. It averages around 4.9%, but there are some steeper sections where it hits 8.6%.