Where is Campo Imperatore?
Italy, europe
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure awaits in Campo Imperatore! This high-altitude plateau, way up in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park in central Italy, will take your breath away – literally, with its elevation!
Fun fact: this place has some serious history. It's where they held Mussolini for a bit back in '43 before that daring Nazi rescue. And get this, there's an underground tunnel system linking spots like the weather observatory to the cableway, a lifesaver when the weather gets wild! Up top, you'll find all sorts of cool stuff: a weather station, the cableway, a hotel, a hostel, a sweet little church, a botanical garden, and even a ski area.
Now, about that drive... you'll be cruising along Strada Regionale 17bis/C to get to the top. Be warned: it's got some seriously steep and narrow bits, and you'll be gaining about 492 meters in elevation with a max slope of 8.2%. Heads up: usually, the road's closed from October to June, so plan accordingly! And definitely pack for mountain weather.
Oh, and one more thing: this place is a total movie star! It's been in tons of films. Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery!
Related Roads in europe
hardCol des Trabesses
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! Col des Trabesses is calling your name! This stunner of a mountain pass sits way up high in the French Pyrenees, in the Ariège department, clocking in at a cool 6,286 feet above sea level. You'll find it along the D25, a paved road connecting Mijanès and Ax-les-Thermes. The road is pretty quiet, so you’ll feel like you have the mountains all to yourself! And let me tell you, as you climb higher, the views get even more breathtaking. Keep an eye out, too, because this road has been featured in the Tour de France! Expect some steep climbs near the top—we're talking gradients of up to 10% that will definitely get your engine revving. Oh, and a little bonus: there's a gravel road leading to the super scenic Lac de Plan d'Amont nearby if you fancy a detour!
extremeA-472: between Seville and Sanlucar la Mayor (Andalusia)
🇪🇸 Spain
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up! Spain's got some roads that'll give you chills – and not just from the scenery. We're diving deep into the land of haunted highways and ghostly getaways. **A-472: Seville to Sanlucar la Mayor (Andalusia):** This ain't your average Sunday drive. Dubbed the "Cuesta de las Doblas," this short 2.3 km stretch is infamous for a tragic number of accidents. Legend says a girl in a red jacket appears, hitchhiking just before a deadly curve... Spooky! **EX-204: Aceitunilla to Nuñomoral (Extremadura):** Nestled in the mysterious Las Hurdes region, this winding road is said to be the most terrifying in Spain. We're talking women in period costumes with monstrous babies, ghost children from a nearby cemetery, and red-eyed creatures chasing cars. The remote setting definitely amps up the creep factor. **N-340: Tarragona to Castellón (Catalonia):** This is one seriously eerie stretch of asphalt. Drivers report seeing silent figures – men, women, and children – staring from the roadside near the Los Alfaques campsite. This is where a catastrophic tanker explosion killed hundreds in 1978. Is it suggestion or something more? **AS-17: Mengollo to Blimea (Asturias):** Keep an eye out for a dark-haired woman who suddenly appears from behind a sign. Spooky! **A-5 Highway km 174: Valparaíso, Extremadura:** Legend says a girl returning from her first communion fell from a carriage and disappeared. Now, drivers claim to see her in her communion dress, clutching a rosary. **A-457: Lora del Río to Carmona (Andalusia):** Watch out for shadowy figures, some missing limbs, of a towering presence over 1.90 meters! **EX-370: Pozuelo de Zarzón to Monterhermoso (Extremadura):** Locals call this "the stretch of death." Despite good visibility, accidents are frequent. Some say it's the ghost of a 17-year-old girl who was tragically killed on the spot. Keep an eye out for red stains on the pavement... **CA-631: Vega de Pas to Estacas de Trueba (Cantabria):** Deep in the Cantabrian mountains, the Engaña Tunnel is said to be haunted by the spirits of political prisoners forced to build it. Apparitions and eerie sounds are common. **A-360: Seville to Morón de la Frontera (Andalusia):** Strange things are happening on this road! Drivers report seeing lines of children in school uniforms disappearing, glowing faces, humanoid figures, and even UFOs. And with a major air force base nearby, who knows what's really out there? **N-240: Puente de la Reina to Jaca (Huesca):** Be careful – a pilgrim, complete with staff and canteen, has been spotted throwing himself at cars. **T-704: Vilaplana to La Mussara (Catalonia):** Before it was stolen, this was considered Catalonia's most haunted road, leading to the ruins of La Mussara. Permanent fog, strong winds, and pure desolation make for a chilling experience. Satanic rituals, disappearances, time jumps, and encounters with strange beings are all part of the lore. Electromagnetic interference has even been measured in the abandoned town!
hardStrada Ascea-Marina di Campagna
🇮🇹 Italy
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure on the Ascea-Marina di Campagna road in Campania, Italy! This isn't just a drive; it's a full-on sensory experience with the Tyrrhenian Sea sparkling beside you. Clocking in at just 7.4 km, this stretch of the Strada Regionale 447 packs a punch, connecting Ascea with Marina di Campagna. Picture yourself carving through dozens of hairpin turns – this road is a real rollercoaster! Now, let's be real, this road isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking seriously steep sections (up to 12%!), twists, turns, and narrows that will keep you on your toes. There are points where two cars definitely can't squeeze by at the same time, so be prepared to yield. But hey, the unbelievable views of the Tyrrhenian Sea make it all worthwhile!
hardEl Travieso
🇪🇸 Spain
El Travieso is a stunning 1,858-meter peak tucked away in Salamanca province, Castile and León, Spain. This little gem sits right on the border between Ávila and Salamanca within the Candelario Natural Park. The drive up is a real adventure. Starting from the village of Candelario, you'll tackle 9.5 kilometers of narrow asphalt road with some seriously exposed sections and hairpin turns—nine of them to be exact. Don't let that fool you though; the road is open year-round, though winter storms might occasionally force temporary closures. The climb is no joke, with grades hitting up to 12.5% in places and an average gradient of 7.6%. You'll gain 721 meters in elevation by the time you reach the summit. The Sierra de Béjar, nestled in the western reaches of the Sierra de Gredos mountains, really shows off in winter. Just be prepared: temperatures can plunge below -15°C, and the wind can be absolutely relentless up here. If you're planning a winter visit, bundle up. The real payoff? Those jaw-dropping mountain views that make every hairpin turn worth it. This is the kind of drive that stays with you—challenging enough to feel like an accomplishment, beautiful enough to make you want to come back.