The abandoned military road to Cima Ciantiplagna

# Cima Ciantiplagna

Perched at 2,849 meters (9,347 feet) above sea level in Turin's Metropolitan City, Cima Ciantiplagna ranks among Italy's highest mountain passes. Tucked away in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, this spot offers some seriously impressive elevation gains.

The route follows the Strada Militare del Colle della Vecchia, an old military road that dates back to the 1880s. Here's the thing though—it's off-limits to regular cars. This is a purist's route: gravel all the way, with relentless grades averaging 10.83% that'll make your legs burn if you're hiking it, or test your vehicle's mettle if you manage to get permission somehow.

The road's history tells its own story. After World War II, authorities basically threw up their hands and declared it "unusable and difficult to maintain," which is a fancy way of saying they abandoned it to the elements. That was decades ago, and nature's had plenty of time to reclaim what was built.

If you're after that off-the-beaten-path alpine experience with serious elevation and minimal development, this is exactly the kind of hidden gem that makes for unforgettable mountain exploration—just don't expect smooth asphalt or easy cruising.