Plocken Pass-Monte Croce Carnico Pass is an absolute must for road lovers
Italy, europe
60 km
1,370 m
hard
Year-round
# Plöckenpass-Passo di Monte Croce Carnico
Tucked high in the Carnic Alps at 1,370m (4,494ft), this mountain pass sits right on the border between Austria and Italy, connecting the Province of Udine in northeastern Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region with Spittal an der Drau in Austria's Carinthia. Fun fact: merchants have been trading through here since medieval times, using it as a crucial link between Aquileia and Salzburg.
The fully paved road stretches 60km (37 miles) from Tolmezzo, Italy, to Obersburg, Austria, and it's not for the faint of heart. Expect twelve hairpin bends and four tunnels on your ascent, with gradients reaching a steep 13%. The drive is genuinely exhilarating—especially once you get the hang of the tight turns and start descending toward Italy. Just watch out for potential rockslides, and remember that some sections are pretty narrow. The good news? The pass stays open year-round in most conditions, and you can typically drive it end-to-end in 1 to 1.5 hours.
History buffs will love this route. The summit area is scattered with remnants of WWI bunkers and tunnels, and there's an open-air museum with restored trenches and fortifications that really bring the region's wartime past to life. The pass's Italian name, Passo Monte Croce Carnico, actually comes from its medieval name—Kreuzberg or Monte Crucis, literally "Cross Mountain." Pretty cool piece of Alpine history on wheels.
Where is it?
Plocken Pass-Monte Croce Carnico Pass is an absolute must for road lovers is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 43.5625, 11.7697
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 60 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,370 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 43.5625, 11.7697
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Monte Jafferau?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're in the Piedmont region of Italy, near the French border, ready to tackle the incredible Monte Jafferau. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks! We're talking about a 32.8 km (20.38 miles) unpaved adventure from Eclause to Gleise that climbs to a whopping 2,805m (9,202ft). This old military road, called Strada militare Fenil-Pramand-Föens-Jafferau and Strada militare 79, winds its way past old forts, relics from 1886. Expect hairpin turns galore and some narrow sections – around 3 meters wide – with slopes hitting 14%. Definitely bring your 4x4 with high clearance because this track gets rocky and is prone to rockfalls. You'll be navigating a rugged, high-altitude landscape, as most of the route sits above 2,000 meters. The views? Absolutely stunning. Just be aware this beauty is usually snowed in from late October until sometime in late June or early July. And remember, even in season, bad weather means a hard pass on this adventure. Get ready for an unforgettable, if challenging, ride!
hardHow to drive the bumpy and grueling road to Colle Malaberghe?
🇮🇹 Italy
# Colle Malaberghe: A Alpine Adventure in the French Borderlands Perched at 2,225 meters (7,299 feet) in the Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France, Colle Malaberghe—also called Col de Malabergue—sits right where France and Italy shake hands in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. This pass has serious history. For centuries, it served as a crucial corridor connecting valleys and moving goods—most famously, salt from Ventimiglia bound for Limone Piemonte and beyond to Turin. Fast forward to the world wars, and military forces widened and reinforced the route to link frontier fortifications across the Italian-French border. Here's the reality check: the approach is completely unpaved, following the famous Via del Sale. The surface is rough, narrow, and seriously exposed in stretches. Think slow, deliberate driving—the official speed limit caps out at 20km/h, and regular passenger cars really don't belong here. The highest sections get genuinely gnarly with uneven terrain that demands respect. Winter? Forget about it. The road officially closes from November 1 through March 31, when snow, avalanches, and ice make conditions unpredictable and dangerous. Weather can turn nasty in a heartbeat up here. But if you time it right, you're in for something spectacular. Nestled in the Cottian Alps, this raw mountain track delivers sweeping panoramas that stretch from rugged alpine peaks all the way to the distant Mediterranean. It's untamed, it's stunning, and it's absolutely unforgettable for adventurous travelers willing to take it slow.
hardVal Thorens: One of the Longest and Biggest Climbs in France
🇫🇷 France
Val Thorens is a ski resort perched at a seriously impressive 2,300m (7,545ft) above sea level in the Savoie department of southeastern France. You'll find it nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, deep in the Tarentaise Valley, and it's the gateway to one of Europe's most legendary drives—the road to Orelle. The D117 is absolutely wild. This narrow, paved route climbs all the way up to 3,007m (9,865ft), making it one of the highest roads on the continent. What makes it truly thrilling? Tight hairpin turns, a bumpy surface, and—here's the kicker—zero guard rails in some sections. It's the kind of road that gets your adrenaline pumping. Val Thorens holds the title of Europe's highest ski resort, and it's been a star of the Tour de France for good reason. The climbing route starting from Moutiers (old-school name: Tarentaise) is genuinely epic: 36.5km (22.68 miles) of pure alpine challenge featuring 20 hairpin turns. You're looking at a 1,807-meter elevation gain with an average gradient of about 5%—definitely not a casual cruise. Whether you're a cyclist, road tripper, or thrill-seeker, this corner of the French Alps delivers some seriously unforgettable scenery and driving.
moderateThe epic unpaved road to Col dei Rossi in the Dolomites
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Italian Dolomites, surrounded by some of the most epic mountain scenery on the planet. You're headed to Col dei Rossi (or Col di Rosc, if you prefer), a killer peak sitting pretty at 2,371 meters (that's 7,778 feet!). Now, heads up, the road to the top is a bit of an adventure – it's a 1.1km (0.68 mile) unpaved stretch that kicks off from Rifugio Fredarola. Most cars can handle it when it's dry, but keep in mind this road is usually snowed in from late October until June. But trust me, the views are SO worth it! You get this insane, up-close-and-personal perspective of the Marmolada, complete with its impressive glacier. Just remember to take it slow and enjoy the ride – getting to Punta Bianca requires some skill!