Driving the unpaved military road to Colle d’Ancoccia in Piedmont
Italy, europe
37.1 km
2,533 m
hard
Year-round
# Colle d'Ancoccia
Want to tackle one of Italy's most remote and adventurous mountain passes? Colle d'Ancoccia sits at a seriously impressive 2,533 meters (8,310 feet) in the Cottian Alps, deep in Piedmont's far southwestern corner near the French border.
This isn't your typical Sunday drive. Built way back for military purposes, the 37.1-kilometer route starts from the SP113 road south of Marmora and winds through a landscape literally littered with abandoned Alpine Wall bunkers and barracks—it's like driving through a piece of history. The scenery up here is absolutely stunning, with views of Rocca la Meja and Lago della Meja surrounding you as you climb.
Here's the catch: the entire road is unpaved and covered in loose gravel and stones. You're looking at some seriously steep sections with grades hitting 25%, plus plenty of precipitous drop-offs that'll definitely get your adrenaline pumping. You'll absolutely need a sturdy 4x4 with solid ground clearance to even attempt this one—no exceptions.
Oh, and timing matters big time. Winter pretty much shuts this road down completely, so save this adventure for the warmer months when conditions are actually manageable. If you've got the right vehicle and nerves of steel, though, this is one unforgettable alpine experience.
Where is it?
Driving the unpaved military road to Colle d’Ancoccia in Piedmont is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.5751, 11.8709
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 37.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,533 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.5751, 11.8709
Related Roads in europe
extremeThe Road to Collado del Ampriu in the Pyrenees Has It All
🇪🇸 Spain
Collado del Ampriu is a seriously stunning mountain pass sitting pretty at 2,261m (7,417ft) in Huesca, Spain. Nestled in the Ribagorza region of Aragón and tucked deep within the Benasque Valley in the Pyrenees, this spot is an absolute gem for mountain enthusiasts. The paved road up is no joke—we're talking slopes that regularly exceed 12%. It's been a favorite challenge for the Vuelta a España riders, though they typically only tackle it up to the end of the paved section at 1,912m (6,272ft), where there's a handy parking lot. From there, a small gravel road (off-limits to regular cars) continues another kilometer or so to the actual summit. Starting from Cerler at 1,571m, you're looking at a 9.6 km climb that'll gain you 690 meters of elevation. The average gradient sits around 7.1%, so it's definitely challenging but doable. Once you reach the top, you'll find yourself at the gateway to a bunch of unpaved roads that branch off to nearby peaks—most of them maintained for ski lift operations. It's the kind of place where you feel like you're really conquering something special. The Pyrenees backdrop, the thin mountain air, those sweeping switchbacks—this pass delivers the goods for anyone brave enough to tackle it.
extremeWhere is El Moixer located?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: El Moixer, also called Roc del Comptador, a major player on the French-Spanish border. It’s the highest point in Alt Empordà and the Serra de l'Albera range. Translation? Epic views and a serious off-road challenge. You'll find this beast straddling the border between Spain (Catalonia) and France (Occitania), looming over Maçanet de Cabrenys. Forget about driving up the French side, though. The fun (and challenge) is on the Spanish side, thanks to a gnarly service road built for maintaining the comm towers up top. Ready for some numbers? From Maçanet de Cabrenys, it's a 13km push to the summit. Sounds easy? Think again. You're climbing 1,067 meters, averaging an 8.20% gradient. Prepare for a relentless ascent and a whopping 27 hairpin turns. Seriously, this is one of the most technical mountain tracks you'll find in the eastern Pyrenees. The road is unpaved, mostly loose rock and dirt, so a high-clearance 4WD is non-negotiable. Some of the super-steep bits and the tightest hairpins have been reinforced with concrete to help maintenance trucks get through. Be warned: the track is narrow. Passing another vehicle often means finding a shoulder or reversing to a wider spot. So, what are the dangers? First, that relentless steepness combined with a serious lack of safety barriers on those 27 hairpins. Then there's the altitude. The Tramuntana wind can be brutal up here, making the drive a real test of skill, especially near the top. Winter? Forget about it. Snow and ice often block the road above 1,200 meters, turning those concrete sections into a death trap. Keep an eye on your engine temp on the way up and give your brakes a good once-over before heading back down those 13 km. The reward? Massive antennas and telecommunication towers mark the summit. And the views! At 1,441 meters, you can see forever, from Cap de Creus and the Gulf of Roses on the Mediterranean to the imposing Canigó peak in France. This ridge is like a 360-degree viewing platform over the wild Albera range. Trust me, it's worth the white knuckles.
moderateCime de la Bonette is the highest paved road of the Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Cime de la Bonette Want to experience the highest paved road in the Alps? Head to the Cime de la Bonette, sitting pretty at 2,806 meters (9,206 feet) in the stunning Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. This legendary pass straddles the border between Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, tucked deep within the Mercantour National Park near Italy. The road itself has serious history—what started as a humble mule track in 1832 didn't get its full paved treatment until 1960. Today, the entire route (called C1) is completely paved and forms a scenic loop that starts and ends at Col de la Bonette. Fair warning: this climb is legit tough. You'll face some seriously steep pitches, with sections hitting a gnarly 15% gradient that'll test your legs (and your brakes). But here's the payoff—you'll reach a point marked by a monument where the views are absolutely unreal. Just a short 60-meter walk from the small parking lot at the top rewards you with panoramic vistas of the national park that'll make every pedal stroke worth it. The Tour de France has made this pass legendary, and for good reason—it holds the record as the highest point the race has ever reached. Pretty epic stuff. Just plan accordingly: this route is snowbound and totally inaccessible from late October through June, so stick to summer climbing season if you want to conquer France's highest paved road.
moderateHow to get by car to the abandoned Val Pelouse resort in Savoie?
🇫🇷 France
# Val Pelouse: A Forgotten Alpine Adventure Perched at 1,728 meters (5,669 feet) in France's Savoie department, Val Pelouse is an abandoned ski resort that feels like stepping back in time. Nestled in the Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France, the summit parking lot greets you with nothing but silence—not even a welcoming sign. The story of Val Pelouse is a classic tale of alpine ambition. Back in 1969, local leaders from Arvillard and La Rochette caught the winter sports fever sweeping through the Alps. They threw down an access road and started small with a few drag lifts and a chalet. By the mid-1970s, things were looking up: five ski lifts served nine runs, a striking Signal 2000 building (designed by master craftspeople) opened with dormitories and dining, and the resort employed 25 people. But here's the catch—the terrain was steep, the access road was long, and the money never seemed to flow in the right direction. The ambitious Signal 2000 building became a financial burden rather than a goldmine. Competition from nearby resorts didn't help either. After La Rochette pulled its funding, the resort quietly shut down in 1985 and officially dissolved in 1986. The lifts were ripped out and resold; even the Signal 2000 building was dismantled and relocated elsewhere. Today? Val Pelouse has found new life as a paragliding paradise and hiking hub, offering access to peaks like the Grands Moulins and Pointe de Rognier. **The Drive Up** The 13.5-kilometer (8.4-mile) ascent starts from Arvillard on the paved D208. The first 4 km are pretty tame, but then things get serious—the remaining stretch averages a brutal 9% grade, with the final 10 km never dipping below that. The road winds through dense forest before breaking above the treeline with genuinely stunning views. Fair warning: potholes and rough patches demand your full attention, especially on descent. The pavement's seen better days, though ongoing maintenance keeps it passable thanks to summer hikers and paragliders. During winter, the road closes above Molliet (728 meters).