
A curvy road to Col de Scalella, in Corsica
France, europe
21.5 km
1,193 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de Scalella
Ready for a thrilling Corsican adventure? Col de Scalella sits pretty at 1,193m (3,914ft) in the heart of Corse-du-Sud, and trust me—this pass is not for the faint of heart.
The D27 road stretches 21.5 km (13.35 miles) running north-south between Bocognano and Bastelica, and it's basically a white-knuckle masterclass in mountain driving. Starting from Bastelica, you're looking at a 6 km climb with 422 meters of elevation gain—that's a solid 7% average gradient. But here's the kicker: the road is narrow, paved, and absolutely riddled with hairpin turns that'll test your steering skills big time.
Expect to crawl through tight village sections in first gear, navigating those signature blind hairpin corners that make your palms sweat. And remember—there are no guardrails here, just sheer drops plummeting several hundred feet straight down the mountainside. One wrong move, and you're saying hello to a very long fall.
It's the kind of drive that gets your adrenaline pumping and reminds you exactly why you came to Corsica in the first place. Just keep your hands steady, your eyes sharp, and your respect for gravity intact.
Where is it?
A curvy road to Col de Scalella, in Corsica is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.4397, 2.8217
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 21.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,193 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.4397, 2.8217
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere Is Palade Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, buckle up, because we're headed to the Palade Pass in the gorgeous Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of northern Italy! This road, also known as Strada Statale 238 (SS238), sits at a cool 1,518m (4,980ft) above sea level, offering some seriously stunning views of the valley below. History buffs will dig it because it was once a site of great military interest. You can still see the remnants of an extensive bunker system, complete with over 2,000 meters of corridors – pretty wild! The Palade Pass is a popular spot for motorcyclists and cyclists, but remember, the road to Monte Paularo is not for the faint of heart!
hardThe unpaved road to Colle della Rho
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Roue-Colle della Rho Perched at a breathtaking 2,534 meters (8,313 feet) above sea level, this international mountain pass sits right on the Italian-French border and is definitely not for the faint of heart. Fair warning: this isn't your typical smooth highway experience. The entire route to the summit is gravel—and we're talking genuinely bumpy gravel. Originally an old military track that's now closed to regular vehicles, the road is steep, narrow, and packed with hairpin turns that'll have you gripping the steering wheel. Plus, sections are partially washed out, adding another layer of challenge to the ride. Timing is crucial here. This pass is completely impassable from September through June thanks to heavy snow, so you'll need to plan your adventure for the brief summer window when conditions allow. Make sure your vehicle is up to the challenge and your driving skills are sharp—this is the kind of road that demands respect and attention at every turn.
moderateAvanza da Pierabech Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo Avanza da Pierabech Ready for an Alpine adventure? Passo Avanza da Pierabech sits at a breezy 1,740 meters (5,708 feet) in Italy's stunning Carnic Alps, and it's absolutely worth the drive. The road up is mostly smooth asphalt via SP-22, which makes for a pretty enjoyable climb. Just heads up—the final stretch transitions to gravel, so take it easy those last few meters and watch your footing if you decide to hop out for photos. The scenery here is seriously gorgeous, with dramatic mountain views the whole way up. If you're exploring the area, the Ghiacciaio dei Forni Refuge is nearby, perfect for grabbing a bite and soaking in those epic Alpine vistas.
hardA Steep Paved Road to Alto del Moncalvillo in La Rioja
🇪🇸 Spain
Alto del Moncalvillo is a 1,480-meter (4,855ft) mountain peak tucked away in Spain's La Rioja region, and it's got some serious mountain cred—the Vuelta has tackled this climb before! The road up to the summit is fully paved, though you'll notice some rough patches along the way. What really keeps you on your toes are the 6 hairpin turns and several sections where the road gets pretty narrow. Fair warning: bring your A-game driving skills. Starting from the LR-341 near Daroca de Rioja, the climb stretches 8.6 km (5.34 miles) with a brutal 752 meters of elevation gain. You're looking at an average gradient of 8.74%, but some sections spike up to a punishing 14%—the kind of grades that make your legs (or engine) really feel it. Once you make it to the top, you'll find communication towers, various facilities, and a fire lookout tower, all perched up there in the Sierra de Moncalvillo range. It's a challenging, rewarding drive through some stunning Spanish mountain terrain that's earned its place in cycling history.