Is Anfo Ridge Road unpaved?
Italy, europe
20.1 km
1,527 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the Lombardy region of Italy, nestled in the province of Brescia, you'll find the wild and wonderful Passo del Dosso Alto. This bad boy tops out at 1,727m (5,666ft) and is traversed by the legendary Anfo Ridge Road!
So, is Anfo Ridge Road paved? Mostly, the answer is NO! This is an old military route, maybe even dating back to Roman times, and it feels like it. Think dusty, stony, and raw. The road stretches for 20.1km (12.48 miles) from Anfo, climbing and dipping as it goes.
Now, let's be real – this isn't a Sunday drive. You'll be tackling some serious hairpin turns, navigating a narrow path riddled with holes, and praying to the gods of motoring that no rogue rocks decide to join you for the ride. Oh, and did I mention the unsecured precipices and dangerous drop-offs? Maximum grade hits 12% in places. They limit your speed to 20 km/h, and trust me, you won't want to go faster! Keep an eye out for 4 short, unlit tunnels. There are restrictions: vehicles wider than 2.50m and taller than 3.20m need not apply.
You'll actually be summiting four passes: Passo del Maniva (1,450m / 4,757ft), Passo di Baremone (1,521m / 4,990ft), Passo di Valledrane (1,527m / 5,009ft), and finally, Passo del Dosso Alto (1,727m / 5,666ft).
The road is usually open from June to the end of October, weather permitting. Heavy rains can shut it down, so check conditions before you go. It was closed for 6 years because of a landslide.
In short, Anfo Ridge Road is hard, scenic, beautiful, and not for the faint of heart. But if you're craving an adrenaline-pumping, off-the-beaten-path adventure, this is your ticket. Just be prepared for a dusty, stony, and unforgettable ride!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 20.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,527 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
easyWhere are the salt pans of Gozo?
🌍 Malta
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the northern coast of Gozo, Malta, and you stumble upon the super cool Xwejni Salt Pans. Seriously, they're an island highlight! You'll find them tucked away near the sweet little village of Xwejni, practically spitting distance from the livelier Marsalforn. It’s like stepping back in time, watching this ancient salt-collecting tradition unfold. The whole area is just a patchwork of these geometric salt pans—it's Mother Nature doing her thing! Basically, seawater fills these shallow, square pools and then the sun and wind work their magic, evaporating the water and leaving behind all this glistening salt. You can totally drive there! The road, Triq Is-Sagħtrija, starts near Xwejni Bay (in the Żebbuġ area) and takes you right to the pans. It's about 3.2 km (or almost 2 miles) of paved road, but be warned, it's got a few potholes here and there from being weathered. But honestly, the drive is worth it for the killer views of Gozo's wild coastline. What makes these salt pans so special? Well, they've been around for ages, we're talking way back to the 11th century! They stretch for around three kilometers along Xwejni Bay and offer up incredible photo ops. These rectangular pools are carved right into the limestone, looking like a giant checkerboard from above. Each one is filled with seawater, patiently waiting to become delicious salt. It's a must-see!
hardWhere is Lago Miserin?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: You're in the Aosta Valley, Italy, itching for a high-altitude adventure. Head to Lago Miserin, one of the highest lakes in Italy, nestled way up in the upper Champorcher Valley. This beauty sits within reach of both Mont Avic Regional Park and Gran Paradiso National Park, so you know the scenery is epic. You'll find a cute mountain hut (Rifugio Misérin) and the Santuario Madonna delle Nevi (Our Lady of the Snow) up there, too – the highest sanctuary in Europe! Legend says this spot was chosen because a Virgin Mary statue kept magically returning to the area. Today, the sanctuary is gorgeous, filled with historical art. But, let's talk about getting there. This isn't your average Sunday drive. You'll be climbing a whopping 1,164 meters, averaging an 8.13% gradient! The first bit is paved, lulling you into a false sense of security. Then BAM! It turns into a dirt track, often covered in rocks. 4x4 is pretty much a must for most of it. Beyond the parking lot, it gets even wilder. The last 4km is a seriously rugged dirt track to the right of the refuge, and is closed to private vehicles. We're talking short, steep sections with surfaces that'll make you sweat – even cyclists might have to hop off and push. Some parts of the route even follow the old Royal Hunting Road. Heads up: this road is totally snowed in during winter, so plan accordingly!
hardPiedra de San Martín is a drive worth taking
🇪🇸 Spain
# Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin: Spain and France's Hidden Pyrenean Gem Ready for one of the most thrilling drives in the Pyrenees? The Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin sits at 1,760 meters (5,774 ft) on the French-Spanish border, connecting the Pyrénées-Atlantiques in southwestern France with Navarre in northern Spain. And trust us—this isn't your typical scenic mountain pass. Spanning 52 kilometers (32 miles) between the French town of Arette and the Spanish village of Isaba, this fully paved route (D132 on the French side, NA-1370 on the Spanish side) is an absolute masterclass in dramatic driving. We're talking narrow sections, endless switchbacks, and a seriously famous pigtail turn called the *Nudo de Corbata*—a mind-bending 270-degree loop that passes under itself. It's the kind of curve that makes you laugh and white-knuckle the steering wheel simultaneously. The climb is genuinely steep: 11% max gradient on the French side, 7.4% on the Spanish side. You'll earn every meter of elevation gain. Though it might not quite rival legends like Tourmalet or Hautacam in difficulty, the jaw-dropping scenery—dramatic western Pyrenean peaks, contrasting landscapes, and endless panoramic views—absolutely matches them. The payoff? A huge parking lot at the summit and the bragging rights of conquering one of Europe's most spectacular mountain roads. Fun fact: cyclists have tackled this beast during Tour de France stages, and it's one of only five Spanish roads featuring a pigtail turn.
hardWhere is Desfiladero de los Beyos?
🇪🇸 Spain
Get ready for the Desfiladero de los Beyos, a mind-blowing gorge carved by the Sella River! This isn't just a road; it's a front-row seat to some of the most stunning canyon scenery in Spain. Where exactly is this slice of paradise? Head to northern Spain, where the provinces of León and Asturias meet, inside the Parque Nacional de Picos de Europa. Picture this: you're cruising alongside the Sella River, with towering, steep rock walls on either side, all thanks to centuries of the river's patient erosion. This route has been a lifeline for centuries! Way back in 1665, a local bigwig named Pedro Díaz de Oseja put his money towards rebuilding an old pedestrian path through the gorge. The folks of Oseja de Sajambre took over, working for decades to improve it. Before cars, it was the Beyo Path, used by people and their animals. But then, in the late 1800s, the Sahagún to Las Arriondas road was built, paving the way for what we drive on today. Speaking of driving, the N625 road winds its way through the gorge for 16.6 km (10.31 miles), running from Ceneya to Oseja de Sajambre. The road hugs the Sella River as it snakes through what has to be one of Europe's most amazing natural corridors. A word of warning: weekends, especially in summer, can get crowded. The road is narrow, seriously twisty, and often lacks a shoulder. So, take it slow, stay alert, and get ready for some unforgettable views!