A curvy paved road to Col de Perty
France, europe
19.8 km
1,302 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de Perty: A Scenic Alpine Challenge in Southeast France
Ready to tackle one of the Drôme's most thrilling mountain passes? Col de Perty sits pretty at 1,302 meters (4,271 feet) above sea level in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and the journey to the top is absolutely worth your time.
The route follows the D65, a completely paved but delightfully narrow road that snakes its way across 19.8 kilometers of stunning Alpine terrain. Heads up though—this pass doesn't mess around, with grades hitting a jaw-dropping 12% in some sections. Buckle up for the adventure!
You've got two main approaches to choose from. Coming from the west via Montauban-sur-l'Ouvèze, you're looking at a 12.5-kilometer push from La Combe, climbing 600 meters at a manageable 4.8% average gradient. If you're coming from the east at Laborel, it's a shorter but punchier 8.5 kilometers, gaining 475 meters with a steeper 5.6% average grade.
Whichever way you approach, expect those classic Alpine switchbacks, breathtaking valley views, and the kind of tight curves that make for an exhilarating drive. The narrow pavement means you'll want to take it steady and enjoy the scenery—which, trust us, is absolutely stellar. This is the real deal for mountain road enthusiasts.
Where is it?
A curvy paved road to Col de Perty is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.4734, 2.1522
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 19.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,302 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.4734, 2.1522
Related Roads in europe
moderateDriving through Vielha Tunnel in Spain's Pyrenees
🇪🇸 Spain
# Tunel de Vielha Nestled high in the Pyrenees at 1,635m (5,364ft), the Tunel de Vielha sits in Catalonia's northwestern corner in the Province of Lleida. This tunnel has quite the backstory—the Aran valley used to be seriously cut off from the rest of Spain, especially when winter snow decided to block access for weeks on end. Back in 1948, they built the Alfonso XIII Tunnel, a real engineering feat at 5.24km long—the world's longest road tunnel at the time. Fast forward to 2000, and it had earned a pretty dark reputation as Europe's most dangerous tunnel due to outdated safety features. That's why they opened the newer Juan Carlos I Tunnel in 2007. These days, the old tunnel mainly serves as a backup route for hazardous cargo trucks. Today's version connects Vielha (the valley's main hub) to the Alta Ribagorça area via the N230. The fully paved route stretches 5.2km (3.25 miles) with two southbound lanes and one northbound lane, with grades that climb up to 7.5%. You can generally drive it year-round, though expect occasional closures during gnarly winter weather. Want to tackle the approaches? From Vielha, it's a 12.3km climb gaining 664 meters (averaging 5.4%). Coming from Villaler? That's a slightly easier 18.7km push with 656 meters of elevation gain at a gentler 3.5% average gradient. Either way, you're in for some serious mountain scenery.
hardDriving the Scenic Road Through the Gorges de la Vesubie in Alpes-Maritimes
🇫🇷 France
# Gorges de la Vésubie: A Canyon Drive You Won't Forget Picture this: you're cruising through southeastern France in the Alpes-Maritimes, where the Vésubie River has spent millennia carving out one of the most stunning canyons you'll ever lay eyes on. This scenic masterpiece flows right into the Var River, eventually making its way to the Mediterranean near Nice. The road itself—Route de la Vésubie (M2565)—is a fully paved beauty that hugs the canyon for 18 kilometers (11 miles) as it winds from Lantosque down to Saint-Martin-du-Var. And honestly? It's absolutely gorgeous. You're talking dramatic rock walls towering above you, the river flowing alongside, and three narrow tunnels that'll make you feel like you're driving straight through the heart of the gorge. Some sections even have overhanging cliffs, so keep your hands at ten and two and stay alert. The scenery is legitimately jaw-dropping—we're talking the kind of views that make you want to pull over and just sit there for a while. Located right in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, it's close enough to Nice that you could easily make it a day trip. Fair warning though: summer is packed with tourists. If you want to actually enjoy the drive without bumper-to-bumper traffic, aim for the shoulder seasons. Trust us—this road deserves your full attention and appreciation, not a white-knuckle crawl behind vacation traffic.
extremeWhere is Pianella Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a hidden gem for you: Passo Pianella, sitting pretty at 1,365 meters (that's 4,478 feet!) high in the Vicenza province of Italy. You'll find this beauty tucked away in the Veneto region, part of the Venetian Prealps. Now, here's the catch: the Strada della Cucca, the road that leads to the top, is mostly unpaved. It's an old military road, winding from Crosara di Arsiero to... well, adventure! Think narrow, seriously curvy dirt roads with those thrilling (or terrifying!) drop-offs and tricky single-lane tunnels – including the famous Tunnel Pianessa. Word of warning, sadly this road is currently closed to private vehicles, but it's perfect for a hike or bike ride! The scenery? Absolutely stunning. But be prepared for a real adventure – this isn't your typical Sunday drive.
hardPuerto de la Bobia
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto de la Bobia: Asturias' Epic Mountain Challenge If you're hunting for a seriously gnarly climb in Spain, Puerto de la Bobia in Asturias is calling your name. Sitting at a respectable 1,103 meters (3,618 feet) above sea level, this pass packs some serious punch for anyone brave enough to tackle it. Starting from the village of Molejón, you're looking at a 13.5-kilometer assault on your car's transmission and your own nerve. While the average gradient hangs around 7.4%, don't let that fool you—there are stretches where the road kicks up to a brutal 20%, making this climb genuinely intense. The pavement is decent enough, but it's tight and relentless. This isn't a road where you can zone out and cruise; you'll be fully engaged the entire way up, navigating hairpins and switchbacks that'll have your heart racing. The narrow asphalt and extreme steepness mean zero room for error, and your brakes will definitely be earning their keep on the descent. The reward? You get to experience one of Asturias' most formidable mountain passes and boast to friends that you conquered one of Spain's gnarliest climbs. Just make sure your vehicle is in top shape, your reflexes are sharp, and you're mentally prepared for a white-knuckle adventure that'll make for an unforgettable road trip story.