Take the Brutal Via del Sole and Discover Punta Veleno

Punta Veleno is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.171m (3,841ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Verona in the Italian region of Veneto. The terrible narrow road to the summit has 21 hairpin turns (all numbered) and hits a 25% of maximum gradient. Why such roads are built is difficult to understand; why you go up by bike, is perhaps a case for trained psychologists.

Via del Sole/Punta Veleno

Where is Punta Veleno?

The pass is located in the eastern shore of Lago di Garda, above Brenzone, in the northern part of the country.

Can you drive to Punta Veleno?

The road to the summit is totally paved, but extremely narrow, impassable for 2 cars at the same time. It’s called Via del Sole. The road is closed to buses, trucks, RVs, cars with caravans, cars with automatic transmission and scooters.

How long is the road to Punta Veleno?

The road to the summit is 10.7 km (6.64 miles) long, running from Porto to Prada Alta, with 21 hairpin turns (all numbered). This narrow mountain road highs up along the steep cliffs where your knees will turn to jelly. Trust the driver and enjoy the spectacular views straight down to Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy.

 

Why is the road to Punta Veleno famous?

Punta Veleno is one of the toughest climbs in Italy, "playing" in the same league as the now famous, or rather infamous, western approach of Monte Zoncolan. This ascent was declared "one of the most ferocious climbs in Italy" in the '70s by Giro d'Italia legend Vincenzo Torriani.

How steep is the road to Punta Veleno?

It is one of the toughest roads in Italy for the terrible slopes that characterize the central stretch of 6.5 km with an average gradient of more than 14% and nowhere to stop and draw breath. The hardest points are the ramps after the first and eighth bend when the slope exceeds 24.8%. The views of Lake Garda will repay the effort made. The climb has been featured in the Giro d’Italia race.
Pic&more info: https://www.larena.it/territorio-veronese/garda-baldo/brenzone-punta-veleno-cantiere-sicurezza-1.9877355

 

 

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.