Where is Cima Grappa?
Italy, europe
18.8 km
1,758 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're winding your way up Cima Grappa in Italy, straddling Treviso, Vicenza, and Belluno. This isn't just any drive; it's a climb to 1,775 meters (5,769ft) above sea level in the Veneto region!
The road, also known as Strada Provinciale 140 (SP140), is totally paved, snaking up the Grappa massif. Starting from Semonzo, it’s about 18.8 km (11.68 miles) of pure driving bliss...and a bit of a challenge!
We're talking an elevation gain of 1,530 meters, averaging an 8.1% gradient. The first 11km are a steady 7.4%, but don’t get too comfy—the last 7.5km kick it up to 8.9%, with some sections hitting a crazy 14%! Plus, there are around 30 hairpin turns to keep you on your toes, some numbered.
Cima Grappa is famous for the Sacrario Militare del Monte Grappa, a memorial site for soldiers from WWI and WWII. It's a place of remembrance, with Italian and Austro-Hungarian ossuaries holding thousands. You'll also find the Madonna del Grappa statue, a World War Museum, and the remains of a former NATO radar missile base. It's beautiful, humbling, and definitely worth the drive.
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 18.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,758 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardDriving the curvy road to Alto de La Nava Grande in the Sierra de Guadarrama
🇪🇸 Spain
# Alto de La Nava Grande: Spain's Hidden High-altitude Challenge Perched at 1,963m (6,440ft) in Madrid's stunning Sierra de Guadarrama, Alto de La Nava Grande is seriously one of the most rewarding unpaved climbs you'll find in central Spain. Nestled within the Regional Park Cuenca Alta del Manzanares, this peak basically acts as a natural viewing platform over the Lozoya Valley and Santillana reservoir—the views are absolutely worth the effort. Starting from Manzanares el Real, you're looking at a 20.8km climb with 1,114m of elevation gain. The first stretch treats you fairly well with relatively decent road conditions, but things get spicy pretty fast once you cross the Puente del Francés around the halfway point. From there, it's all about tackling "las famosas zetas de La Pedriza"—12 seriously tight hairpin turns that'll keep you on your toes. The final 1.5km? That's where it really tests your skills. Loose rocks and steep gradients mean you'll definitely need a solid high-clearance 4x4 to make it through. This isn't one of those casual drives. Beyond the technical challenge, there's real history here. Those stone trenches and old military positions scattered around the summit are remnants from the Spanish Civil War, when these heights were critical strategic points. One heads-up: vehicle access is often restricted due to the park's environmental protection rules, and it's primarily meant for authorized forest vehicles, mountain bikers, and hikers. Always check local regulations in Manzanares el Real before you go—it'll save you a frustrating trip!
moderateD84, a vertigo paved road in France
🇫🇷 France
Okay, road trip adventurers, listen up! I've got a little gem for you hidden away in the Aude department of southern France's Languedoc-Roussillon region. We're talking about the D84, a seriously fun, but not-for-the-faint-of-heart, mountain road. This baby clocks in at just 7 kilometers, but those kilometers are packed with thrills. Nestled in a rugged, untouched landscape, the D84 runs from the D118 to the D17 near Escouloubre. Picture this: stunning views, but also sections so narrow that passing another car feels like a legit accomplishment. Seriously, your reversing skills are going to get a workout. We're talking blind corners on ridiculously tight roads. Oh, and heads up, there's a height limit of 3.7 meters, so leave the oversized vehicles at home. Keep an eye out for rock slides too! But hey, if you're up for a challenge and a dose of breathtaking scenery, the D84 is calling your name!
moderateBocchetta di Campiglia
🇮🇹 Italy
# Bocchetta di Campiglia Nestled in Vicenza, Veneto, Italy, Bocchetta di Campiglia sits at a cool 1,216 meters (3,989 feet) above sea level. The drive up is straightforward—completely paved the whole way, which is always a plus when you're heading into the mountains. Once you've made the climb, you'll find a paid parking area at the summit. This is where things get interesting, because this pass is basically the launchpad for some seriously epic adventures. From here, you can tackle the legendary Strada delle 52 Gallerie with its incredible tunnel-lined route, venture onto the Strada degli Scarubbi, or use it as a jumping-off point for other legendary Alpine drives in the region. Whether you're a serious mountain road enthusiast or just looking for stunning scenery and that adrenaline rush of navigating Alpine terrain, this pass delivers. It's the kind of place where you pull into the parking lot and realize you've landed somewhere genuinely special.
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.