Winston Churchill defined the Tremosine Gorge as the “eighth wonder of the world”. The road climbs from Gargnano on Lake Garda and arrives in Tremosine, the most exciting terrace on Lake Garda. It’s a unique masterpiece in the world. Human ingenuity has created an exchange with the wildest nature. A winding tongue set in the rock ensures the impression of entering the sinuosity of the mountain.
The dialogue between nature and man has generated a unique wonder. Do you know about the most beautiful road in the world?
A bit of history…
After four years of work, the distant time of 1913 saw the inauguration of Provincial Road 38, thanks to the valuable and futuristic project of
Arturo Cozzaglio. It’s an engineering jewel that later became famous as the Road of the Tremosine Gorge (Strada della Forra di Tremosine). For centuries, the inhabitants of Tremosine were forced to travel steep paths to reach the underlying port city. They were usually laden with heavy goods to be sold on the plateau or to be loaded on the steamers of Lake Garda. For them, the beginning of the twentieth century marked a real revolution in communication and the transport of goods.
The starting point is about 40 minutes from Rovereto, at the former port of Tremosine, municipality of Gargnano, on Lake Garda (65 meters above sea level). From there, about 6 kilometers of unique emotions climb towards Tremosine (420 meters above sea level). The route is nothing short of evocative. It’s a daring path between spectacular gorges and rock tunnels. It overlooks the gorge with breathtaking views that have made it the eighth wonder in the world.
Today the Gorge Road (Strada della Forra) is one of the most beautiful that can be traveled in Italy, especially for motorcyclists. It can be traveled by car but only by driving slowly and giving way to those arriving in the opposite direction in the narrowest points and in the tunnels, especially in the most congested mass tourism periods of the year. We therefore advise against traveling by car to avoid the long queues due to its fame. Traveled by motorbike, bicycle or e-bike, on the other hand, it gives its best, also to experience the sounds of the torrent that thunders and roars in the narrowest points.
Where only James Bond dared!
Provincial Road 38 is also the undisputed star of the small and big screens. It’s the amazing protagonist of commercials of famous car manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes and Seat. Central to the adventurous scenario of Quantum of Solace, the icing on the cake came with the choice of the road to Tremosine by Hollywood as the setting for one of the most beautiful scenes of the 22nd episode of the secret agent 007 saga.
James Bond is played by Daniel Craig driving his Aston Martin. He escapes from his pursuers who are after him to free Mr. White, who is tied up in the back of the car. A wonderful sequence can be counted among the most beautiful in the history of cinema’s breathtaking chases on the big screen. It’s three minutes of pure adrenaline between hairpin bends, tunnels, explosions, and shooting, with the undisputed protagonist being the most beautiful road in the world. The scene not only takes place on the gorge of the Brasa stream, but also along the picturesque stretch of road between Tempesta di Torbole (which we have already described as a beautiful path overlooking Lake Garda) and Malcesine, on the Veronese Garda.
Tips and Tricks
It is strongly not recommended to travel it during periods of major tourist flows. We also recommend making your experience even more exciting by going up at night, when you can also admire its scenic lighting.
Did the article on the Tremosine Gorge intrigue you? The memory of one of the most spectacular routes in Italy and the world is guaranteed!
Heartfelt thanks to the Pro Loco of Tremosine for the splendid images
