The breathtaking unpaved road to Salati Pass
Italy, europe
7.9 km
2,988 m
moderate
Year-round
# Passo dei Salati: Italy's Alpine Adventure
Ready to tackle one of Europe's highest roads? Passo dei Salati sits at a jaw-dropping 2,988m (9,803ft) in the northwestern Italian Alps, straddling the border between Turin's Metropolitan City and the Aosta Valley.
This isn't your typical Sunday drive—we're talking serious alpine territory here. The unpaved road climbs 7.9 km (4.9 miles) from the village of Staffal, gaining a whopping 1,128m in elevation with an average gradient of 14.27%. You'll definitely need a capable 4x4 to make this one work, and fair warning: private vehicles are restricted, so this is one for adventure seekers with special access.
Weather permitting, you've got roughly May through October to attempt this beast—conditions outside those months make it impassable. But when conditions are right? You're rewarded with stunning views of the Graian Alps near Gran Paradiso National Park.
At the summit, there's a small cluster of civilization to greet you: a bar and restaurant to refuel, the iconic Statua dello Stambecco sculpture, and the Istituto Scientifico Angelo Mosso research institute. It's a unique blend of remote wilderness and mountain hospitality—one of Italy's most distinctive high-altitude experiences.
Where is it?
The breathtaking unpaved road to Salati Pass is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.8656, 10.9415
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 7.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,988 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 42.8656, 10.9415
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