Strada Militare del Colle della Vecchia, an old military road built in the 1880's

Strada Militare del Colle della Vecchia is an old military road built in the 1880's and closed to motor vehicles, winding its way up to 2.000m above the sea level. The road is located in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont.

The road is 10.7km (6,64 miles) long and climbs up to Cima Ciantiplagna (2.849 m) and Colle della Vecchia (2.605 m). The road is totally unpaved. Along the road there are several military constructions. The route demands 100% concentration. This road has humbled many egos.

The road is impassable in winters. Do not travel this pass in severe weather conditions. This track can get very muddy and slippery after rain making it challenging to get through. This road tests the skill, and courage, of any driver. It's definitely not for anyone suffering from vertigo or a fear of landslides. After World War 2 the road was officially classified as "un-useful and difficult to maintain" - and thus abandoned. 
The road starts from the Strada del Colle delle Finestre (SP172) and finishes near Forte del Gran Serin. It's really steep, with an average gradient of 10,83%.

 

• A steep gravel road to Monte Telegrafo in the Dolomites
• A very bumpy, grueling road to Colle Malaberghe