
A narrow scenic road to Mont Tendre
Switzerland, europe
8.04 km
1,679 m
hard
Year-round
# Mont Tendre: A Hidden Gem in the Jura
Tucked away in Switzerland's Jura mountains in the Vaud canton, Mont Tendre is one of those thrilling mountain passes that'll make your heart race. We're talking 1,679 meters (5,508 feet) of Alpine goodness, and honestly? It's absolutely worth the drive.
Starting from Montrichier, you're looking at just over 8 kilometers of pure climbing—782 meters of elevation gain to be precise. That works out to an average gradient of 9.7%, though the road kicks up to a gnarly 14% at its steepest points. The asphalt ends at the Chalet du Mont Tendre (1,615m), where a welcoming restaurant awaits weary climbers.
Here's the thing: this is a single-lane road winding through dense forest, which means it's wonderfully quiet and traffic-free. But that peaceful vibe comes with a caveat—those blind hairpin turns demand serious respect. Take them slowly, stay alert, and you'll be fine.
If you love that raw, tree-lined climb experience with minimal crowds, Mont Tendre absolutely delivers. The scenery is quintessentially Jura—all forested mountainsides and that satisfying sense of real adventure that disappears on busier routes.
Where is it?
A narrow scenic road to Mont Tendre is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.6283, 8.1025
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 8.04 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,679 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.6283, 8.1025
Related Roads in europe
hard1. Camino Francés: The Standard Infrastructure
🇪🇸 Spain
Alright, fellow adventurers, let's talk Caminos! These ancient routes crisscross Europe, all leading to Santiago de Compostela, but each with its own unique flavor. Think of it as choosing your adventure level! **Camino Francés (The French Way):** This is the OG Camino, the classic! At 790km from the French border, it's the most popular, with tons of hostels, restaurants, and places to resupply. Terrain-wise, it's not crazy difficult, but you *will* need to conquer the Pyrenees and navigate the long, flat Meseta. Many start in Sarria for a final 100km sprint, totally doable in about 5 days. **Camino Portugués (The Portuguese Way):** Officially kicking off in Lisbon (616km), this one gives you options! You can either stick to the Central Way, following historic inland routes, or go Coastal, hugging those gorgeous Atlantic beaches. Most people jump in at Porto (260km) for a sweet two-week adventure. The hills are pretty mellow here, so it's a great choice if you're not into super steep climbs. **Camino del Norte (The Northern Way):** Now we're talking *challenge*! At 825km along Spain's northern coast, the Norte is known for its rugged terrain and constant elevation changes. It’s a bit tougher to plan because services are more spread out. But the payoff? Insane sea views, lush mountain tracks, and serious bragging rights. Be ready to work for it, though – those gradients are no joke! **Camino Inglés (The English Way):** Short on time? The Inglés is your jam! Just 113km starting from Ferrol, it’s perfect for a 5-day blitz. Don't let the distance fool you, though. This route packs a punch with steep climbs through Galician forests and quiet rural roads. It's a quick and dirty way to experience some serious elevation gain without the weeks-long commitment. **The Bottom Line:** Your Camino choice is all about matching your fitness and desires to the landscape. Want easy planning and convenience? French Way. Craving technical trails and coastal vibes? Northern Way. No matter what you pick, plan ahead, respect the terrain, and get ready for an epic journey! Check the distances, map your route, and most importantly, stay safe and have fun out there!
extremeWhy is Oymyakon famous?
🌍 Russia
Ever dreamt of a truly extreme road trip? Buckle up (and layer up!) for the Oymyakon Road in the Sakha Republic, Russia. This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a 38.4km (23.86 miles) stretch of totally unpaved road leading to Oymyakon, the Earth's chilliest village. You'll find yourself navigating massive potholes across the Yana-Oymyakon Highlands. And be warned: this road is usually snow-covered for nine months out of the year. Blizzards are super common, so you really can't take this drive lightly. Mobile phone service? Forget about it! Plus, even if you had service, your phone probably wouldn’t work in those temps. The road climbs to about 750 meters above sea level, offering views of the surrounding, starkly beautiful, mountainous terrain. The real challenge is the intense cold – Oymyakon boasts the title of the coldest inhabited place on Earth. We're talking temperatures that can plunge to -50°C to -60°C (-58°F to -76°F). The lowest recorded temp? A bone-chilling -71.2°C (-96.2°F)! Cars need to be kept in heated garages or left running constantly, otherwise they just won't restart. Axle grease and fuel tanks freeze solid, and unused pipes can ice up in just a few hours. Batteries lose juice at an alarming rate! So, go prepared, and never travel this one alone. This is one road trip where the journey truly *is* the adventure, and the destination is unlike anywhere else on Earth.
moderateStorseisundet Bridge: a different shape from whichever angle you view it
🇳🇴 Norway
# Storseisundet Bridge: Norway's Mind-Bending Marvel Tucked along Norway's dramatic coastline sits the Storseisundet Bridge, part of the legendary Atlanterhavsveien (Atlantic Road). This isn't just any bridge—it's an optical illusion on wheels. Here's the wild part: as you approach, it genuinely looks like a diving board. Seriously. The bridge appears to just... end. Your brain screams that you're about to launch your car straight into the sea below. Spoiler alert: you won't. It's totally safe, despite locals cheekily calling it the "drunk bridge." At 260 metres long with a maximum clearance of 23 metres above the water, Storseisundet is the star of the Atlantic Road's eight bridges. The Daily Mail famously dubbed it the "Road to Nowhere" back in 2011, and honestly? The nickname fits the vibe perfectly. What makes this place so special is the engineering trickery. Those sharp bends create a rollercoaster effect as you drive, and here's the kicker—you literally can't see the road ahead once you're on the curve. It vanishes right in front of you. Every angle gives you a completely different perspective of the structure, which explains why it looks different depending on where you're viewing it from. Opened in 1989, this paved bridge has become one of the world's most jaw-dropping stretches of road. Fair warning though: expect your heart to skip a beat before you realize the magic is just clever design. Welcome to Norway's most spectacular optical illusion.
hardCol de Pierre Plate: The Road That Has It All!
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Pierre Plate Ready for a seriously scenic road trip? Col de Pierre Plate is a mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,027m (3,369ft) in France's Lozère department, nestled right in the heart of the Occitania region and the stunning Cévennes National Park. The D916 is a fully paved route that'll keep you on your toes—this isn't your straightforward highway. You're looking at a 44.8km (27.83 miles) stretch that weaves west to east between the village of Les Vignes and Florac, and trust us, every kilometer is an adventure. The road is delightfully twisty with nine hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills, plus some genuinely narrow sections where two cars simply can't pass each other. There are a few cliffsides to keep you humble, and the steepest sections climb up to 9.0%. If you're coming from Florac, expect a 5.8km ascent that packs 470 meters of elevation gain into its length, averaging a solid 8.09% gradient. Those steep sections aren't messing around, but the fully paved road means you'll have decent grip as you navigate the switchbacks and curves. This is the kind of road that rewards careful driving and rewards it well—the views through the Cévennes are absolutely worth every twist and turn. Just take it slow, stay focused, and enjoy one of France's most exhilarating mountain drives.