A Narrow Road to Col du Solude in the French Alps

A Narrow Road to Col du Solude in the French Alps

France, europe

Length

13.6 km

Elevation

1,680 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

# Col du Solude

Ready for an Alpine adventure that'll get your heart racing? Col du Solude is a seriously epic mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,680m (5,511ft) in the Oisans region of the French Alps, right in southeastern France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes area.

This 13.6 km (8.45 miles) north-south route—officially the D210—connects Ornon to the notoriously tricky D219 Road near Villard-Notre-Dame, and it's absolutely not for the faint of heart. The northern section is smooth asphalt, but once you hit the southern portion, things get real with gravel sections that'll test your driving skills.

What makes this pass truly legendary is its sheer intensity. We're talking nail-biting hairpin turns, narrow sections that'll make you hold your breath, and some seriously exposed drop-offs that remind you just how high up you are. The road even cranks up to a brutal 15.8% gradient at its steepest points. It's the kind of drive that demands respect, focus, and nerves of steel—but damn, it's unforgettable once you've conquered it.

This is proper "balcony road" territory, where the scenery is as dramatic as the driving conditions. If you're chasing that authentic Alpine experience and you've got the skills to back it up, Col du Solude is calling your name.

Where is it?

A Narrow Road to Col du Solude in the French Alps is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.9101, 2.9289

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
13.6 km
Max Elevation
1,680 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
45.9101, 2.9289

Related Roads in europe

Where is Gorges du Nan?extreme

Where is Gorges du Nan?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, buckle up for the Gorges du Nan! This isn't just a road; it's a cliff-hugging adventure carved into the Isère department of France, nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region south of Grenoble. You'll find yourself on the D22, specifically a 9.1 km (5.65 miles) stretch between Malleval-en-Vercors and Cognin-les-Gorges, winding through the spectacular canyon created by the Le Nant River. Be warned: this road is NARROW. Think single-lane narrow, so passing isn't really an option. It's especially dramatic after the first tunnel coming from Cognin-les-Gorges. There aren't many places to pull over, so it's best to cruise on through to Malleval-en-Vercors for a breather. Seriously, glancing over the edge will give you vertigo – it’s a long way down! Expect a 25-minute journey (without stops) through Vercors National Park. You'll encounter a steep 3-mile descent, a 2.2m width restriction, tunnels bored right into the rock, hairpin turns galore, and plenty of blind curves. What's really cool is the history. This road wasn't some massive construction project. Back in 1880, two villages teamed up to create this unique route to improve access. Plus, the Vercors area played a key role in the French Resistance during WWII, so keep an eye out for memorials along the way.

1. The M6 Motorway: Legions and Long-Haulersextreme

1. The M6 Motorway: Legions and Long-Haulers

🇬🇧 England

Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for a spooky road trip across the UK! Forget boring tourist traps – we're chasing ghosts and urban legends on these haunted highways! **The M6 Motorway: Roman Ghosts and Phantom Trucks!** Get ready for weirdness on the UK's longest motorway! Word on the street is, between Cheshire and Lancashire, Roman soldiers march right across the road – maybe because it's built on their old stomping grounds? Keep an eye out for hitchhikers who vanish into thin air and trucks that appear and disappear in your rearview mirror. This one’s a wild ride! **The A9, Scottish Highlands: Spooky Stagecoach Alert!** The A9 is already known for its crazy isolation and tricky twists, but the real legend here is a phantom coach. Near Berriedale Braes, drivers swear they've been overtaken by a full-on Victorian coach, complete with footmen! It drifts silently through the mountain mist and then poof – vanishes into the hillside. With weather that changes on a dime, the A9 serves up the perfect spooky atmosphere. **Platt Lane, Manchester: Eyes in the Bushes!** This narrow, rural road winds alongside the site of an old mining disaster. Locals and drivers report seeing "gleaming eyes" staring from the bushes, and the feeling of being followed by unseen figures. Hit this one on a foggy autumn night for peak creepiness! **The B3314, Cornwall: Lady in Victorian Dress!** Near the legendary Tintagel, the B3314 twists and turns through the rugged Cornish landscape. Keep your eyes peeled for a lady in Victorian dress standing at the side of the road, waiting for a carriage. Drivers who stop to help often find she's disappeared. The sharp bends and steep coastal drops are already intense, but the ghost story adds an extra layer of suspense! **Drews Lane, Birmingham: Silent Traffic Jam!** Get ready for a weird one! Drews Lane isn't about seeing ghosts; it's about *hearing* them. Drivers parked or waiting at the lights report hearing the sounds of a massive traffic jam – engines, horns, tires – even when the road is totally empty. This is one seriously unique haunting – where the ghost is the sound of the road itself!

Where is la Petite Clue?hard

Where is la Petite Clue?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: the Passage de la Petite Clue, a super short and sweet mountain road tucked away in the Alpes-Maritimes region of France. We're talking Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur vibes, inside the stunning Mercantour National Park. Seriously, the River Cians carved this insane gorge with ridiculously red rock – it’s a photographer's dream! So, this little gem is only about 1,500 feet long. It used to be part of the old D-28, and you'll find the entrance near a parking area right before a tunnel. Paved, yes, but hold up – it's crazy narrow. Two cars passing? Forget about it. But hey, that just means you can really soak in the views: think colorful rock formations, a babbling stream with cute waterfalls, and nature doing its artistic thing. Now, the catch: this road is officially closed. Like, permanently. Why? Well, it's narrow, a bit sketchy, and Mother Nature throws tantrums with landslides and rockfalls. You'll probably see some fallen rocks along the way. The Tunnel de la Petite Clue bypasses it all, so if you want to drive through this area, take the tunnel. However, if you park and walk this section, the scenery is worth it.

Where is Gülizar Tepe?hard

Where is Gülizar Tepe?

🇹🇷 Turkey

Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk about Gülizar Tepe in eastern Turkey, right near the Iranian border! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a high mountain pass sitting pretty at 2,928 meters (that's 9,606 feet!). Seriously, it's one of the highest roads you'll find in Turkey. Now, fair warning: forget the pavement. This 24.6 km (15.28 mile) stretch from Taşkesen to Atadamı is all unpaved, so a 4x4 is your best friend here. Expect a steep climb, and if it's been raining? Get ready for some seriously muddy conditions. But hey, think of the views from the top! You're snaking along the boundary between Ağrı and Van provinces, so get ready for some awesome scenery. This is one for the memory books!