A paved road to Sanctuaire de Notre Dame de la Salette
France, europe
N/A
1,787 m
hard
Year-round
# Notre Dame de la Salette Sanctuary: A Scenic Alpine Drive
Tucked away in the Isère department of southeastern France, the Notre Dame de la Salette Sanctuary sits pretty at 1,787 meters (5,862 feet) above sea level. Getting there? A breeze, really—the D212C is a smooth, well-maintained asphalt road that winds its way up with plenty of satisfying curves without ever feeling too demanding. It's wide, not overly steep, and blessedly free of the bumper-to-bumper crowds you'd find on busier Alpine routes.
As you climb, you'll pass a poignant memorial and cemetery just a few kilometers up the road—it honors the 51 people who tragically lost their lives when an airplane crashed into the nearby Grande Tête de l'Obiou peak back in 1950. The site is beautifully maintained and worth a respectful pause.
Once you reach the summit, you'll find everything you need to make a day of it: a welcoming hotel, a solid restaurant, boutique shops, and a bookstore. Whether you're stopping for a quick bite or planning to linger and soak in the mountain atmosphere, the sanctuary has you covered. It's a rewarding drive with some genuine Alpine charm.
Where is it?
A paved road to Sanctuaire de Notre Dame de la Salette is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 44.9799, 2.7829
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 1,787 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 44.9799, 2.7829
Related Roads in europe
hardHow do you reach Dingli Cliffs by road?
🌍 Malta
Cruising along the western edge of Malta, near the super chill village of Dingli, you absolutely HAVE to hit up the Dingli Cliffs. Seriously, these are the highest point in all the Maltese Islands, shooting up to 252 meters (826 feet)! The road that takes you there, Triq Panoramika (aptly named!), is paved, but be warned, it gets a bit narrow in places and the hills are no joke. Some sections are seriously steep, like a 12% grade! But trust me, reaching the top is SO worth it. The views from Dingli Cliffs are insane. Think endless blue sea stretching out forever. Just be prepared for some wind – it can get pretty blustery up there. Oh, and fun fact: the highest point, Ta’ Dmejrek, is home to this giant radar station that looks like a golf ball, or "Il Ballun" as the locals call it. Seriously, go at sunset! It's magical. You can see the whole coastline, the terraced fields below, and even the tiny, uninhabited island of Filfla in the distance (which, by the way, used to be a bombing target for the British back in the day!). And don't miss the cute little chapel dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene right on the edge of the cliff. It's picture perfect!
easyDriving 14 of the most scenic roads of Ireland
🌍 Ireland
**Connemara Coast Road to Clifden:** Get ready for some serious views as you climb into the Connemara mountains, offering a panoramic sweep of the coastline. Head towards Clifden, then loop back down towards Westport, passing the serene Doolough Valley and tranquil lakes along the way. **Inishowen 100:** This coastal loop hugs the edge of Ireland’s northernmost point for about 100 miles. Starting in Muff, cruise up the coast to Moville, then swing around the Malin Head loop before finishing in Burnfoot. Jaw-dropping scenery is a guarantee, with plenty of spots to stop and soak it all in. **The Burren Coast Road:** This 68km route hugs the North West Clare coast, serving up views of the Atlantic and Galway Bay. Starting in Kilfenora, head through Lisdoonvarna and up the coast to Black Head, looping back through Carran. Expect a mix of rocky Burren terrain on one side and the vast ocean on the other. **Sally Gap:** Escape Dublin and wind your way through the Wicklow mountains, enjoying the best lake and mountain scenery outside of the coastline. Take the R759 east across the mountains, then head north on the R115 to complete the loop. **Causeway Coastal Route:** Kick off your adventure in Belfast and cruise along Northern Ireland's northern coast. This 190km drive takes you to the Giant’s Causeway, the Bushmills distillery, and the seaside towns of Portrush and Portstewart. It's a one-way trip, but trust us, it's worth every kilometer. **Sheep’s Head Drive:** Starting in Bantry, this loop encircles the Sheep’s Head Peninsula, finishing up in Durrus. At only 40km, this short drive offers amazing views of the ocean on both sides. **Bray to Dublin Coastal Drive:** This route takes you through Killiney, Dalkey and Dun Laoghaire, giving you an amazing view over Dublin city and the coastline. **Dungarvan to Tramore:** Drive along the Southern coastline of Waterford, with spectacular views, between Dungarvan and Tramore. **Sperrins Drive:** Explore Northern Ireland’s stunning mountains. Starting in Strabane, navigate the twisty roads towards Sawel Mountain, the highest peak in the Sperrins. You'll be blown away by the dramatic valleys and peaks. **Glengarriff Nature Reserve Drive:** Crossing from Cork into Kerry, this drive skirts the coast out of Bantry, then passes the Glengarriff Nature Reserve. Finish by crossing the bridge into Kenmare, with the beautiful Kenmare Bay on your left. **West Cork Coastal Drive:** Starting at Timoleague, hug the sensational West Cork coastline all the way to the Old Head of Kinsale, offering views that rival any in the country. **Howth Head Loop:** Just a stone's throw from Dublin city centre, this drive takes you along the Northside coast, winding up and around Howth Head with views stretching out over the city. **Dingle Peninsula Loop:** Starting in Dingle, this loop around the westernmost point of mainland Ireland takes you to the tip of the Dingle Peninsula. Get ready for incredible views over the Atlantic and the Blasket Islands. **Shannon Estuary Drive:** Follow the Shannon Estuary westwards, looping around the southern tip of Clare and onwards to Doonbeg on the Atlantic coast.
moderateA 5-star road to the top of Puerto de Santa Ines in Soria
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto de Santa Inés: A Spanish Mountain Adventure Looking for an epic mountain drive? Head to the Puerto de Santa Inés in Soria, Spain – a stunning high-altitude pass sitting pretty at 1,755 meters (5,757 feet) in the heart of Castile and León. The summit is home to a ski resort, so you know you're going somewhere special. The SO-830 stretches 27.5 kilometers (17 miles) between Montenegro de Cameros and Vinuesa, running north-south through the dramatic Iberian System mountains. The route is paved throughout, though you'll encounter some seriously steep sections – we're talking gradients up to 12%, so definitely keep that in mind if you're towing anything. The good news? This road stays open year-round, which is pretty impressive for a mountain pass. Just keep an eye on winter weather reports – when things get gnarly, authorities occasionally close it temporarily. But most of the year, you're free to tackle this scenic beauty whenever you like. The mountain scenery alone makes this drive absolutely worth adding to your road trip bucket list.
hardWhere is Teglia Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Want a taste of the Italian Alps? Then you NEED to check out the Teglia Pass in the Province of Imperia. Nestled in the northwest of Italy, this beauty sits pretty high up at 1,387 meters (that's 4,550 feet!). You'll find it hugging the region, a stone's throw from the . The road itself? It’s the Strada Provinciale 17 (SP17), and let me tell you, it’s an experience. We're talking narrow sections that'll test your nerves, and more turns than you can shake a stick at – around 32 hairpin bends, to be precise! This isn’t a Sunday drive for the faint of heart; best to avoid it if you’re not super confident behind the wheel. But if you ARE, prepare for some seriously epic scenery.