A narrow scenic road to Mont Tendre

A narrow scenic road to Mont Tendre

Switzerland, europe

Length

8.04 km

Elevation

1,679 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

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

Share this road

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

Hardanger National Tourist Routemoderate

Hardanger National Tourist Route

🇳🇴 Norway

# The Hardanger National Tourist Route: Norway's Fjord Masterpiece If you're looking for one of Norway's most jaw-dropping drives, the Hardanger National Tourist Route absolutely delivers. Winding along the stunning Hardangerfjord—Norway's second longest and deepest fjord—this 158-kilometer stretch of road east of Bergen is pure magic. The route hugs the coast through Hordaland county, treating you to some seriously impressive scenery at every turn. Think dramatic fjord vistas, towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and even glaciers. The road itself is paved (though fair warning: some sections get pretty narrow), and at its highest point you'll only climb to 275 meters elevation—so it's manageable for most drivers. Here's the good news: this route stays open year-round, which means you can tackle it whenever the mood strikes. Just keep in mind that the section crossing the Hardangervidda mountain plateau might shut down temporarily during harsh winter weather, so check conditions before heading out in the colder months. **Routes:** You'll be traveling on Roads 7, 49, 550, and 13. **Quick tip:** If you're driving a bus, County Road 550 between Alsaker and Herand has length restrictions—keep it to 12.4 meters maximum. Whether you're chasing that perfect photo or just soaking in the Norwegian wilderness, this fjord drive won't disappoint.

A wild road to David Gareja Monasterymoderate

A wild road to David Gareja Monastery

🇬🇪 Georgia

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're anywhere near Tbilisi, Georgia, you HAVE to check out the David Gareja Monastery. Seriously, this rock-hewn wonder is one of the most incredible ancient sites you'll ever see. Dating back to the 6th century, this monastery (also known as Davit Gareja) clings to the arid slopes of Mount Gareja in Kakheti, way out in eastern Georgia. Imagine a lunar landscape, especially since it was pretty neglected back in Soviet times. But get this – from April to early June, the whole place explodes with blooming steppe flowers! Now, getting there is half the fun (or maybe all the fun, depending on your definition of "fun"). Road 172, your chariot to enlightenment, stretches 45 km from Sagarejo. Be warned: it's a rough dirt track, think up and down the hills. Seriously, you'll want a 4-wheel drive for this one; it's in pretty bad shape. And after a storm? Forget about it, even a Jeep might struggle. Since you're heading into the wilderness, come prepared. Pack extra water, sunscreen (it gets HOT), and watch out for snakes! Also, your GPS is your best friend because road signs? Practically nonexistent. But trust me, the views and the history are SO worth the bumpy ride!

Driving the Clue d’Aiglun, a balcony road in Francemoderate

Driving the Clue d’Aiglun, a balcony road in France

🇫🇷 France

# Clue d'Aiglun: France's Most Dramatic Canyon Drive If you're hunting for one of Europe's most thrilling drives, head to the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region in southeastern France, just north of Cannes. Welcome to the Clue d'Aiglun – a jaw-dropping canyon carved by the Esteron river that'll have your heart racing and your camera ready. The real magic happens on the D10, a fully paved road that hugs a narrow ledge carved directly into the mountainside. The most intense 16.7 km (10.37 miles) stretch runs east-west between Roquestéron and Le Mas, where engineers literally blasted this route out of solid rock. You'll navigate through multiple tunnels and galleries, blind hairpin turns, and sections where the road runs underneath dramatic overhanging cliffs. The cherry on top? The route emerges right above the stunning Pont d'Aiglun, suspended roughly 300-400 feet above the crystal-clear, snowmelt-fed Esteron River – absolutely breathtaking. The gorges themselves span about 2 km, with walls soaring between 200-400 meters high. Millions of years of water erosion carved this white limestone wonderland, creating grottoes and passages throughout the pine-covered mountainsides. It's no wonder rally drivers love this road – you'll find it featured in competitions like Rally d'Antibes and the Grasse Alpin. Budget around 30 minutes for the drive without stops (though you'll definitely want to stop for photos). The best part? Barely any traffic, gorgeous scenery, and one of the most memorable mountain drives you'll ever tackle. This is the kind of road that gets international magazine features and TV documentaries for good reason.

Champillonhard

Champillon

🇮🇹 Italy

Hey, road trippers! Ever heard of Champillon? It's this crazy-beautiful high-mountain plateau in the Aosta Valley, way up in northwestern Italy. We're talking 2,092 meters (that's 6,863 feet!) above sea level. The road up there? Paved, sure, but hold on tight. It's a narrow, winding climb that gets pretty steep in places. Oh, and a heads-up: snow can shut this road down at any time, so check conditions before you go. But trust me, the views are SO worth it. Think panoramic vistas, crisp mountain air, and maybe even a glimpse of Picco Palù-Großer Moosstock or the Fronza alle Coronelle Refuge. It’s a taste of Italy you won’t forget!