A daunting unpaved road to Bivacco Carmagnola

Bivacco Carmagnola is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.840m (9,317ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Bivacco Carmagnola

Nestled in the alta valle Maira, the road to the refuge is totally unpaved, very steep, with some narrow sections. It’s an old military road, built for defence purposes, part of the Alpine Wall, the most ambitious fortified system to defend Italy's borders. Some people find this track just too daunting. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

4x4 vehicle required. Accessibility is largely limited to the summer season. The road is really rough. The last part of the road is extremely dangerous, and the road often disappears due to landslides. Along the way it’s possible to have a closer look at the remains of barracks, casemates, bunkers and hiking paths and via ferratas on the area.

The hut was built after an abandoned military barrack. The last 100 meters of the road are extremely narrow. Very challenging. This track can get very muddy and slippery after rain.
Pic:Alberto Matta