The winding road to Maniva Pass in the Alps and its 38 iconic hairpin turns
Italy, europe
19.3 km
1,664 m
hard
Year-round
# Passo del Maniva
Ready for an epic Alpine adventure? Passo del Maniva sits pretty at 1,664m (5,459ft) in Lombardy's Brescia province, and it's absolutely worth the drive. This fully paved beauty—officially called Strada provinciale Bresciana 345 delle Tre Valli (or SP BS 345)—stretches 19.3 km (11.99 miles) from San Colombano to Bagolino, running west to east through some seriously stunning Italian Alps scenery.
What makes this pass special? For starters, there's a ski station at the summit, plus it's the gateway to two legendary rides: the gnarly SP345B road heading north and the notorious Anfo Ridge Road dropping south. The views are genuinely incredible, but fair warning—this route isn't a leisurely Sunday cruise.
You're looking at 38 hairpin turns, narrow sections that'll keep your palms sweaty, and some seriously steep gradients that hit up to 14.6%. This is a road that demands respect and solid driving skills. If you've got the experience and nerve to tackle it, though, Passo del Maniva delivers an unforgettable ride through some of Europe's most dramatic Alpine terrain.
Where is it?
The winding road to Maniva Pass in the Alps and its 38 iconic hairpin turns is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.6785, 13.2626
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 19.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,664 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.6785, 13.2626
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhere is Port d’Aula?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: Port d’Aulà, perched way up in the Pyrenees, straddling the border between France and Spain at a staggering 7,431 feet! This isn't just any mountain pass; it's a place steeped in history. It was a route of desperation during the Spanish Civil War and World War II. You'll find it linking the Ariège department in France with the Province of Lleida in Spain. Getting there? The French side is where the adventure's at. Forget smooth asphalt; this is all about the Route Forestiere du Port d’Aula – a totally wild, unpaved road carved into the mountainside. Seriously, this road is intense. It's super narrow (think one-car-only narrow), and packs in a ridiculous 43 hairpin turns. The final stretch? Pedestrians only! Starting from Couflens, it's an 11-mile climb that gains over 5,000 feet in elevation! Translation: it's STEEP, with gradients hitting nearly 13% in places. The Spanish side? Nada. No road to the top. But trust me, it's worth the white-knuckle drive. The views are insane, especially when you catch sight of the Etang de Prat Matau and Etang d’Areau – two ridiculously scenic alpine lakes. It's a truly unforgettable experience!
moderateAdventure along Road F752 in North Iceland
🇮🇸 Iceland
Hey adventurers, ready for an epic Icelandic experience? Then buckle up (literally, you'll need it) for the F752, aka the Skagafjörður Route! This beauty is nestled in the northern highlands, offering insane views of a stark, almost lunar landscape. Clocking in at 121 km (75 miles), the road starts out paved, but don't get comfy — it quickly turns into a gravel track (that's the F-Road life, baby!). This isn't your average Sunday drive. You'll be traversing a wild, pebbled plain with streams and rivers aplenty. River crossings are the name of the game here, and some of them require serious skills. We're talking well-equipped jeeps or larger vehicles only, folks. Seriously, these rivers can be no joke, so always check the depth before you commit. The F752 snakes its way from Varmahlíð (near Skagafjörður) down south to the F26 Road (Sprengisandsleið). Expect a bumpy ride, as you'll be dodging potholes, ruts, and the occasional boulder. Solitude is part of the charm, as you probably won't see many other travelers out there! Prepare for some serious altitude! This road climbs to a whopping 744m (2,440ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest in Iceland. Keep in mind, this adventure is only possible during the summer, usually from late June to early September. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
hardThe Wild Road to Mina de Riosol in northern Spain
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're in northern Spain, high up in the Cordillera Cantábrica mountains, exploring the wild Cabañas Valley. You're headed to an abandoned mercury mine called Mina de Riosol (or Mina Carmina, if you're feeling fancy). The road? Well, it's strictly off-road. Forget pavement; you'll need a 4x4 to tackle this baby. This mine, tucked away in the Riosol valley near Buecicardiel, operated for less than a decade, and the road is still there waiting to be discovered. You can usually get there year-round, but winter can throw a wrench in the works with snow and ice. Starting from the CL-635 paved road, it's only 2.8 km (a little over a mile and half), but it packs a punch. Get ready for some seriously steep climbs, with gradients hitting up to 14% in spots! You'll gain 259 meters in elevation, making for an average gradient of over 9%. The views though? Totally worth it.
extremeWhat is Cow Green Reservoir?
🇬🇧 England
Nestled high up on the border between Cumbria and County Durham, Cow Green Reservoir sits pretty at 510m above sea level. This little gem holds back a whopping 40,000 million litres of water and stretches for 3km, so it's quite the sight. Getting there is part of the adventure! The road is fully paved, but be warned, it's a bit on the narrow side – expect some cozy moments if you meet another car. Starting from the village of Langdon Beck, the climb is a 4.66km push with some seriously steep sections hitting a 9% gradient. You'll end up at a car park. From there, a private road continues 2 miles to the dam and the awesome Cauldron Snout. The road is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather, especially in winter. Being high up, conditions can change in a heartbeat, and it can get pretty chilly. The water even freezes over in the winter! Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! The views are incredible, with panoramas stretching out to Cross Fell, Great and Little Dun Fells, Meldon Hill, Mickle Fell, and other stunning North Pennine peaks. Get your camera ready!