Road trip guide: Conquering Monte Chersogno
Italy, europe
13.9 km
2,411 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Let's talk about Monte Chersogno, a seriously stunning mountain pass in Italy's Piedmont region (Cuneo province). We're talking serious altitude here – 2,411 meters (that's 7,910 feet!).
Tucked away in the Maira valley, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road to the top is completely unpaved, so you'll absolutely need a 4x4 to tackle it. Fair warning: the last stretch is off-limits to regular vehicles. Mountain bikers, this one's for *you* – but be prepared for a real challenge. It's an expert-level ride, and you'll need to be in tip-top shape. Some sections are so steep, you might even have to push your bike.
Speaking of steep, the road gets seriously intense, with gradients hitting a maximum of 16%! Starting from Prazzo Superiore, the climb stretches for 13.9 km (8.63 miles), with a whopping 1,300-meter elevation gain. That's an average gradient of 9.35%. The road ends at the abandoned Gias Vecchio mountain hut. The scenery, though? Totally worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,411 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardHow Long is N308-1 Road?
🇵🇹 Portugal
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along in northern Portugal, near the Spanish border in the Braga district. Get ready to tackle the N308-1, a seriously scenic and twisty road that's just begging to be explored! This baby's about 19.5km (12.11 miles) of pure driving pleasure, winding its way from Portela do Homem, a mountain pass sitting pretty at 822m above sea level right on the Spain-Portugal border, all the way down to Rio Caldo, a cute little town nestled at 161m. Now, it's paved, so no worries there, but be warned: it gets narrow in places, and you'll be navigating 18 hairpin turns! But trust me, it's worth it for the views. We're talking breathtaking vistas from natural viewpoints dotted along the route. And keep your eyes peeled for stunning waterfalls like Cascata de Leonte and Cascata da Portela do Homem. Just a heads up, there are some steep bits too, so get ready for a bit of a climb!
moderateDriving the Scenic N379-1 Road with Stunning Views of the Atlantic Ocean
🇵🇹 Portugal
Okay, picture this: the N379-1, or Estrada de Escarpa as the locals call it. South of Lisbon, Portugal, this coastal beauty is like the PCH's European cousin. Snaking through the Parque Natural da Arrábida, prepare for about 15 km (9.3 miles) of pure driving bliss – and a few white-knuckle moments! This old mountain path hugs the Serra da Arrábida hills, giving you non-stop incredible views. Now, it's paved, but don't get too comfy. Think seriously twisty roads, some tight squeezes, and, oh yeah, zero guardrails with some pretty intense drops straight into the Atlantic. Trust me, you'll want to drive it both ways, because the perspective changes everything. Starting near Setúbal and heading towards São Lourenço, you'll climb up to around 500 meters, giving you mind-blowing panoramas of the coast, hidden beaches, and those dramatic Serra do Risco cliffs. Seriously, the views are epic, and you might just feel like you're in a high-speed chase scene from a movie. Get ready for the drive of your life!
moderateIf You Love to Drive, You’ll Love the Road to Caha Pass in Ireland
🌍 Ireland
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the N71, straddling the border between Cork and Kerry in southwest Ireland. You're on the Caha Pass, a seriously cool mountain road that climbs to 320 meters (that's 1,049 feet!). Locals call it "The Tunnels," and for good reason. This beauty was built way back in 1842—they called it The New Line back then. The whole thing is paved, stretching for about 27 kilometers (or almost 17 miles) from Glengarriff up to Kenmare. You'll probably want to budget more than the 25-30 minutes it takes to drive it straight through, because, trust me, you'll be stopping for photos. The views are unreal—pure, raw Irish wilderness. Just a heads up, it gets pretty popular during the summer months. Now, the road itself? It's carved right into the Caha Mountains, so expect some serious curves and a narrow path. It gets a little steep too, hitting a 9% gradient in places. And on the Kerry side, prepare for multiple tunnels blasted right through the rock. Sometimes the fog rolls in, adding an extra layer of awesome (and maybe a little bit of spookiness!). It's an unforgettable drive.
moderateTravel guide to the top of Roc d'Aude
🇫🇷 France
Roc d'Aude (Roc d'Auda) is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.361m (7,746ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France. The road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s a chairlift access road. 4x4 vehicles only. The road is impassable in winters. Ideal time to travel is daylight. Not advised night drive. Pic&video: Jordi go&rbcn Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.