Italy, Piedmont, Italy
One of the Alps' highest paved passes, remote and narrow near the French border.
Length
20 km
In miles
12.4 mi
Driving time
30 min
Atlas rating
9.0 / 10
The run
Pontechianale to Chateau-Ville-Vieille, following the SP105. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Closed roughly October to June
Nearby
4 km away
Col Agnel
Remote high altitude pass to the Italian frontier with tight ribbons and stark empty scenery.
25 km away
Col d'Izoard
Hairpins through larch forest give way to the lunar Casse Deserte, a surreal high altitude finale.
26 km away
Col de Vars
A gentler Alpine link road with sweeping meadows between two harder edged giants.
42 km away
Colle delle Finestre
A gravel topped final stretch of tight hairpins made famous by the Giro d'Italia.
42 km away
Col de la Bonette
A looping summit road above 2800 metres that circles the peak itself for maximum theatre.
45 km away
Col de la Cayolle
A quiet pastoral pass with a gorge finale through the narrow Gorges du Bachelard.
Longer journeys
4h 15m
The Great Dolomites Drive
Four legendary passes strung between limestone cathedrals, the definitive alpine day.
1h 30m
Stelvio Pass
Forty-eight numbered hairpins stacked like a staircase into the sky.
3h 20m
Lake Garda Mountain Loop
Gardesana corniche tunnels, then a climb into olive terraces above the water.