A Hairpinned Paved Road to Col du Coq
France, europe
25 km
1,434 m
hard
Year-round
Col du Coq is a mountain pass sitting at 1,434m (4,704ft) in France's Isère department, and let me tell you—this climb is no joke. It's seriously tough.
You'll find this beast in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France, perched on the northwestern slopes behind Dent du Crolles near Grenoble. Back in the day, there was actually a small ski station up here, though you had to navigate a gnarly 1,400-meter unpaved road just to reach it. That station shut down in 2012, but the drive itself is still worth the adventure.
The pass stretches about 25km (15 miles) running between Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse and Saint-Nazaire-les-Eymes, cutting through the spectacular Chartreuse Mountains via the D30E road.
Now here's the thing—the road is fully paved, which sounds promising until you actually start climbing. It's legitimately challenging, and about halfway up, you'll encounter two eerie dark tunnels that are perpetually damp and weeping water. Fair warning: they're a bit spooky.
This pass has earned its stripes in cycling history too—it's been featured in the Tour de France. Compare it to Alpe d'Huez and you'll see why it gets respect: practically identical length, steepness, difficulty level, and even the same number of hairpin turns. If you've heard the legend of Alpe d'Huez, you're basically looking at its twin.
Where is it?
A Hairpinned Paved Road to Col du Coq is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.8283, 2.5203
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 25 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,434 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 45.8283, 2.5203
Related Roads in europe
moderateIs Zekari Pass unpaved?
🇬🇪 Georgia
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in Georgia, straddling the Imereti and Samtskhe-Javakheti regions, lies Zekari Pass. Forget pavement – this is a 39.2 km (24.35 miles) unadulterated off-road experience connecting Sairme and Abastumani, a former Soviet resort area nestled in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. This isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking 2-3 hours of slow going on a seriously rough track, best tackled in a capable 4x4. Heavy rains? Forget about it. You'll be stuck. But if you're brave enough, the views are insane. Think sprawling mountain vistas from a max elevation of 2,275m (7,463ft) and a pass at 2.157m (7,076ft). Plus, you'll find cool shepherd camps dotting the landscape. And near the pass is the Georgian Academy of Sciences observatory (the first high-mountain one in the USSR, BTW) which you can access via cable car. Keep in mind, though, Zekari Pass is generally snowed in from October to June. So plan your trip accordingly and get ready for an unforgettable Georgian adventure!
moderateA paved border road to Qafa e Morines in the Albanian mountains
🇦🇱 Albania
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Today we're talking about Qafa e Morinës, an international mountain pass straddling the border between Albania and Kosovo. This isn't just any border crossing; it's a high-altitude highway sitting pretty at 563 meters (1,847 feet) above sea level. This scenic route connects the Gjakova District in western Kosovo with Kukës County in northern Albania, offering a gateway to the Albanian mountains. The entire 18.2-kilometer (11.30 miles) stretch is paved, so no need for a monster truck! Just follow the M9-1 in Kosovo and the SH-22 once you hit Albania. The road snakes its way from Ponoshec (Kosovo) to Bajram Curri (Albania), nestled in the Gjakova Highlands. Get ready for some views!
hardConquering the potholed A27 road in Kazakhstan
🌍 Russia
Ready for an off-the-beaten-path adventure? Buckle up for the A27 in Kazakhstan, a mega road trip stretching 905 km (562 miles) from the Russian border near Kotyaevka all the way to Aktobe. Now, let's be real – this isn't your typical smooth highway cruise. The pavement's seen better days, with potholes and truck tracks galore. In fact, you might find yourself spending more time dodging missing asphalt than actually driving on it (we're talking maybe 70% missing!). Don't expect to break any speed records; 20 km/hour might be your top speed, and you might find yourself joining the locals on dirt detours alongside the road. But here's the thing: the scenery is absolutely stunning. Plus, it's a crucial route linking the port city of Atyrau and Aktobe. Just keep your eyes peeled for those deep potholes, especially at night or in bad weather. Trust us, you'll need to stay sharp on this one!
hardWhere is Strassberger Fürggli?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Okay, picture this: Strassberger Fürggli, a Swiss mountain peak chilling at 2,109 meters (6,919 feet) in the eastern part of the country. It’s a bit off the beaten path, nestled near the Strassberg mountain hut. Now, heads up, the road to the top? Totally unpaved! You'll definitely want a 4x4 for this adventure. Forget about it in winter – usually impassable then. From the Strassberg hut, it’s just under 2 km (about 1.2 miles) to the peak, but get ready to climb – you'll gain 189 meters in elevation, so expect some steep sections. But trust me, it’s worth it! You’re way out there, soaking in an untouched mountain setting. The views of the Schanfigg are incredible, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you might spot some cool wildlife. Just be prepared for a narrow road with sections hitting 15% and some unlit tunnels on your way to the Vieux Emosson lake. It's a driver's dream.