A narrow road with 15% parts and unlit tunnels to Lac du Vieux Emosson
Switzerland, europe
5 km
2,205 m
extreme
Year-round
# Lac du Vieux Emosson: A High-Alpine Adventure
Perched at 2,205m (7,234ft) in Switzerland's Valais region near the French border, Lac du Vieux Emosson is a stunning alpine reservoir that'll take your breath away—literally and figuratively. The lake sits just 300m above its bigger sibling, Lac d'Émosson, and if you're feeling peckish after the drive, the Old Émosson Cabin Hostel & Restaurant near the dam has got you covered.
Here's where it gets interesting: this vintage road, dating back to 1955, is completely off-limits to regular cars. But if you can hitch a ride with one of the shuttle services or tour operators, you're in for an absolute treat.
The 5km (3.10-mile) route climbs from Lac d'Émosson (1,965m/6,446ft) with relentless intensity. It's paved—so that's a plus—but it's also narrow, steep, and seriously not for the faint of heart. For about 2km, you're dealing with an average gradient of 15%, and the road squeezes through a couple of unlit tunnels that add to the whole otherworldly vibe. The drop-offs? Definitely not something you'll want to test.
Summer is your window to experience this marvel, as the road closes during the colder months. But when conditions are right, the views of Mont Blanc and down toward the lower lake are absolutely mind-blowing. It's a quiet, serpentine climb through some of Europe's most dramatic landscape—the kind of drive that sticks with you.
Where is it?
A narrow road with 15% parts and unlit tunnels to Lac du Vieux Emosson is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 47.0043, 7.9686
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 5 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,205 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 47.0043, 7.9686
Related Roads in europe
hardThe wild unpaved road to Pico del Nevero
🇪🇸 Spain
# Pico del Nevero: Spain's Sky-High Adventure Nestled in the heart of Spain's Sierra de Guadarrama National Park—straddling the border between Segovia and Madrid—Pico del Nevero stands at a whopping 2,211m (7,257ft) and promises one of the most exhilarating drives you'll experience. Fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday cruise. The entire route to the summit is unpaved, and you'll be tackling some seriously gnarly sections with grades pushing 37%. Throw in relentless winds that howl year-round, and you're in for a real test of your driving skills. You'll definitely need a 4x4 vehicle for this one. The best time to tackle this beast? Late spring through early fall. Outside these months, you're battling snow-covered mountain roads that'll make your palms sweat. As you climb, you'll spot eerie remnants from the Spanish Civil War scattered along the way—a haunting reminder of history. But here's the payoff: the summit is genuinely spectacular. You're rewarded with panoramic views that'll take your breath away—sweeping vistas of Peñalara, Cuerda Larga, and Bola del Mundo peaks stretching out in every direction. It's honestly one of the best viewpoints in the entire Sierra de Guadarrama, and the photo ops are incredible. This is the kind of drive that tests both your vehicle and your nerve—and delivers an unforgettable experience.
moderateThe winding coastal road to Llogara Pass in Albania
🇦🇱 Albania
Cruising through Albania? You HAVE to hit the Llogara Pass (Qafa e Llogarasë)! This mountain pass soars to 1,043m (3,422ft) in Vlorë County and seriously delivers on coastal views. Nestled in Llogara National Park, this beauty connects the Dukat Valley with the Albanian Riviera. Picture this: you're winding along the SH-8, the highest point on the Vlore-to-Sarande coastal road. Okay, so the road's been around since 1920, but it's been upgraded since then! The pass stretches for 31.5 km (19.57 miles) from Dhërmi to Dukat i Ri. Now, let's be real, this drive is not for the faint of heart. Expect narrow sections, constant braking on steep inclines (maxing out at 11%!), hairpin turns, and sometimes, not a barrier in sight! Oh, and keep an eye out for the unexpected – think ladies hauling wood, donkeys, shepherds with their flocks, or cows just straight-up chilling in the road. Consider it an authentic Albanian driving experience! Perched high in the Ceraunian Mountains, prepare for unreal views of the Albanian Riviera. It's the perfect spot to soak in the coastal panorama. Trust me, you will feel like you are on top of the world!
moderateWhere is Cerro del Gorro?
🇪🇸 Spain
Cerro del Gorro is a high mountain peak at an elevation of above sea level, located in the province of Leon, in Spain. Where is Cerro del Gorro? The peak is located in the northwestern part of the autonomous community of , in the northern part of the country, within the Why is there a road to Cerro del Gorro? The road leading to the peak is . It was originally built to provide access for the construction of a at the mountain’s summit. Is the road to Cerro del Gorro unpaved? Located in the region of , high in the Montes de León mountain range, there are a couple of roads to reach the summit. Starting from , on the west side, the road is Driving the scenic EM513 Road to Alto de Vaires Peña Angulo Pass: Exploring the Abandoned BU-550 Road in Burgos Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateA paved road to Port de Canto in the heart of the Pyrenees
🇪🇸 Spain
# Port de Cantó Looking for an epic mountain pass adventure? Port de Cantó, also known as Coll del Cantó or Coll de la Pedra del Cantó, sits pretty at 1,725m (5,659ft) in the heart of Spain's Alt Urgell region. This fully paved beauty stretches a solid 44.7 km (27.77 miles) running west-east from Sort to Adrall, cutting right through the stunning Alt Pirineu area of Catalunya in northern Spain. Buckle up—this one's got some serious character! The road tackles some wickedly steep sections with gradients hitting up to 13.1%, so you'll definitely feel your engine working. But don't let that scare you; it's the same route that's caught the attention of professional cyclists in Spain's famous Vuelta race. Here's the best part: you get to experience all this Pyrenees magic year-round, as the pass stays open throughout the seasons. There's even a convenient parking lot at the summit if you want to stop and soak in those panoramic views. Whether you're using it as a shortcut to Andorra or just chasing that perfect mountain road experience, Port de Cantó delivers the goods with dramatic scenery and plenty of switchbacks to keep things interesting.