What’s the Anfo Ridge Road?

Deep in the Lombardy region of Italy, a stone's throw from Brescia, lies the legendary Anfo Ridge Road. Trust me, this isn't just a drive, it's a full-blown experience! This old military road, tracing paths that Romans may have walked, definitely lives up to its fearsome reputation.

Think rugged, think scenic, think beautiful... but also think dusty and stony! This route, carved into the Orobie Alps, features a mix of paved and unpaved sections, plus four short, dark tunnels. It was even closed for six years due to a landslide, but thankfully reopened in 2009, with some new tunnels added later to bypass the trickiest spots.

Stretching just over 20 kilometers, the road winds its way from Anfo. What makes it challenging? Oh, just a few things: rock fall risk, sheer drops, hairpin turns, and a narrow, pot-holed surface. We're talking maximum grades of 12 percent, with a speed limit of 20 km/h. And leave your oversized vehicles at home — it's closed to anything wider than 2.5 meters or taller than 3.2 meters.

Because of its condition, expect minimal traffic. Let's be real, nobody's rushing to make this road consistently navigable.

This high-altitude road climbs over four mountain passes, reaching altitudes of 1,450m, 1,521m, 1,527m, and a dizzying 1,727m. Usually open from June to the end of October, it's best to check conditions beforehand, as heavy rains can cause closures.