A great paved road to Col de la Faucille in the Jura Mountains
France, europe
48.4 km
1,323 m
moderate
Year-round
Col de la Faucille is a legendary mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,323m (4,341ft) in the Ain department of France, just north of Geneva near the Swiss border. This fully paved beauty—known as RN5-D1005—stretches an impressive 48.4km (30 miles) from the charming town of Gex up to Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux, taking you through the stunning Jura Mountains.
What makes this pass special? It's been a Tour de France favorite since 1951, and for good reason. The road winds through countless curves with a handful of thrilling hairpin turns that'll keep you alert and entertained. It's a cyclist's dream and a gear-head's playground, drawing enthusiasts from all over.
Fair warning though: traffic can be pretty heavy here, especially on weekdays when trucks treat this route like their personal shortcut to Dijon. If you want a more relaxed drive with better scenery appreciation, aim for weekends. The mountain scenery is absolutely worth the trip whenever you decide to tackle it—it's one of the Jura's most celebrated climbs for a reason.
Where is it?
A great paved road to Col de la Faucille in the Jura Mountains is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.0601, 1.5884
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 48.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,323 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 46.0601, 1.5884
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere are the Gorges de la Nesque?
🇫🇷 France
Cruising through the Gorges de la Nesque in Provence is an absolute must! This incredible canyon road, snaking through the Vaucluse department of France, is one of those unforgettable balcony drives. Built way back in the early 20th century, this beauty (known as D942) stretches for about 22 km (13.7 miles) between Villes-sur-Auzon and Monieux, south of Mont Ventoux. Nestled in the Vaucluse Mountains, prepare for some serious views! Now, heads up: this drive is not for the faint of heart. Think narrow stretches barely wide enough for one car, rocky overhangs, blind curves, hairpin turns, and the occasional (or not-so-occasional) lack of guardrails! Plus, there are tons of unlit tunnels to navigate. The road surface is generally in good shape, but some sections have sheer drops with minimal barriers. Allow around 35-50 minutes to drive it without stops. If you're heading there in the summer, try to go early to beat the heat and crowds. The route winds along the mountains, revealing incredible vistas. Cyclists love it, and surprisingly, it’s usually not too crowded, thanks to those low tunnels. Keep an eye out for the belvederes, especially the one at Castelleras, offering views of the majestic "Rocher de Cire," the gorge's highest point at 872 meters (2861 feet). The gorges themselves plunge over 400 meters deep! Trust me, after the Gorges du Verdon, the Gorges de la Nesque are the next most spectacular canyon you'll find in Provence.
hardHere's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Húsavík Mountain
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're cruising Iceland's north coast near Húsavík, you HAVE to check out Húsavík Mountain. This peak tops out at 378 meters (1,240 feet), and the views? Unreal! The road to the top is a 3km gravel track that kicks up a gradient of 10.4%. Think bumpy ride in a 4x4 - essential, especially since snow is a real possibility in winter. Trust me, you'll need it! The view from the top is insane, you'll see across Skjálfandi Bay, the stark black deserts leading towards Mývatn, and the serene Botnsvatn Lake. But, heads up - this road is a bit of a wild card. Even a little rain can turn it into a challenge with loose gravel, so keep your eyes peeled. The last stretch is pretty steep, so be prepared for that too. But the panoramic views? Totally worth the white knuckles.
hardHow to get by car to Lago di Malciaussia?
🇮🇹 Italy
Lago di Malciaussia is a stunning high mountain lake sitting pretty at 1,823 m (5,980 ft) in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy. Tucked into the upper Valle di Viù in Piedmont's northwestern corner near the French border, this spot is an absolute gem for adventure seekers. Here's the cool part: the lake is named after the locality of Malciaussia, which actually got submerged when the lake was created. Right by the water, you'll find a cozy restaurant and hotel—perfect for refueling after your drive. The road itself, Strada Provinciale 32 (SP32), is a total classic. Built back in the 1920s-30s, it's paved but seriously narrow and relentlessly steep—we're talking sections that hit 23%! The final stretch turns to gravel, which marks the real beginning of alpine exploration territory. This is where the serious climbers and hikers kick off their adventures, including attempts on Rocciamelone (3,538 m) via the Ernesto Tazzetti alpine hut. Starting from the town of Margone at 1,413 m, you're looking at a 5.8 km (3.60 mile) push upward with 14 hairpin turns thrown in for good measure. That climb nets you 410 meters of elevation gain, averaging out to a 7.06% gradient—challenging but absolutely rewarding. The scenery throughout is absolutely phenomenal, and once you arrive at the lake, you're perfectly positioned for serious alpine walking and climbing adventures.
easyDriving 14 of the most scenic roads of Ireland
🌍 Ireland
**Connemara Coast Road to Clifden:** Get ready for some serious views as you climb into the Connemara mountains, offering a panoramic sweep of the coastline. Head towards Clifden, then loop back down towards Westport, passing the serene Doolough Valley and tranquil lakes along the way. **Inishowen 100:** This coastal loop hugs the edge of Ireland’s northernmost point for about 100 miles. Starting in Muff, cruise up the coast to Moville, then swing around the Malin Head loop before finishing in Burnfoot. Jaw-dropping scenery is a guarantee, with plenty of spots to stop and soak it all in. **The Burren Coast Road:** This 68km route hugs the North West Clare coast, serving up views of the Atlantic and Galway Bay. Starting in Kilfenora, head through Lisdoonvarna and up the coast to Black Head, looping back through Carran. Expect a mix of rocky Burren terrain on one side and the vast ocean on the other. **Sally Gap:** Escape Dublin and wind your way through the Wicklow mountains, enjoying the best lake and mountain scenery outside of the coastline. Take the R759 east across the mountains, then head north on the R115 to complete the loop. **Causeway Coastal Route:** Kick off your adventure in Belfast and cruise along Northern Ireland's northern coast. This 190km drive takes you to the Giant’s Causeway, the Bushmills distillery, and the seaside towns of Portrush and Portstewart. It's a one-way trip, but trust us, it's worth every kilometer. **Sheep’s Head Drive:** Starting in Bantry, this loop encircles the Sheep’s Head Peninsula, finishing up in Durrus. At only 40km, this short drive offers amazing views of the ocean on both sides. **Bray to Dublin Coastal Drive:** This route takes you through Killiney, Dalkey and Dun Laoghaire, giving you an amazing view over Dublin city and the coastline. **Dungarvan to Tramore:** Drive along the Southern coastline of Waterford, with spectacular views, between Dungarvan and Tramore. **Sperrins Drive:** Explore Northern Ireland’s stunning mountains. Starting in Strabane, navigate the twisty roads towards Sawel Mountain, the highest peak in the Sperrins. You'll be blown away by the dramatic valleys and peaks. **Glengarriff Nature Reserve Drive:** Crossing from Cork into Kerry, this drive skirts the coast out of Bantry, then passes the Glengarriff Nature Reserve. Finish by crossing the bridge into Kenmare, with the beautiful Kenmare Bay on your left. **West Cork Coastal Drive:** Starting at Timoleague, hug the sensational West Cork coastline all the way to the Old Head of Kinsale, offering views that rival any in the country. **Howth Head Loop:** Just a stone's throw from Dublin city centre, this drive takes you along the Northside coast, winding up and around Howth Head with views stretching out over the city. **Dingle Peninsula Loop:** Starting in Dingle, this loop around the westernmost point of mainland Ireland takes you to the tip of the Dingle Peninsula. Get ready for incredible views over the Atlantic and the Blasket Islands. **Shannon Estuary Drive:** Follow the Shannon Estuary westwards, looping around the southern tip of Clare and onwards to Doonbeg on the Atlantic coast.