A sensational paved road to Col de l’Holme
France, europe
4.9 km
1,207 m
moderate
Year-round
# Col de l'Holme
Tucked away in the Isère department of southeastern France, Col de l'Holme is a charming mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,207 meters (3,959 feet) above sea level. This gem is nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and makes for a fantastic driving experience.
The route itself—D212—is a delightfully manageable 4.9 kilometers (3.04 miles) that runs north-south, connecting Saint-Michel-en-Beaumont with Sainte-Luce. What makes this pass so accessible? The road is entirely paved, and while it does climb steadily, the gradients never get too gnarly. You'll hit a maximum of 10% in the steeper sections, but nothing that'll make your knuckles white on the steering wheel.
Here's the best part: this pass is typically open year-round, so you can tackle it pretty much whenever the mood strikes. It's the kind of scenic drive that offers all the mountain charm without the white-knuckle drama—perfect for anyone looking to squeeze in some Alpine driving without breaking a sweat.
Where is it?
A sensational paved road to Col de l’Holme is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 48.9582, 1.2679
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 4.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,207 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 48.9582, 1.2679
Related Roads in europe
moderateDriving the Mythical Road to Col d'Aspin in the French Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Col d'Aspin: A Pyrenean Classic You've Got to Experience Nestled in the Hautes-Pyrénées region of southwestern France, Col d'Aspin sits at a respectable 1,489m (4,885ft) and has earned its place in cycling legend. This iconic pass has featured in both the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, and honestly, it's easy to see why. The 31km journey from Arreau to Campan along the D918 is a wonderfully manageable climb—think of it as the Goldilocks of Pyrenean passes. The gradual gradients (nothing consistently steeper than 9%) make it perfect whether you're a moderately fit cyclist looking for a solid challenge or you want to string it together with other nearby classics like Peyresourde and Tourmalet. The road itself is fully paved, though a bit bumpy in places, and handy kilometer markers dot the route showing elevation and gradient info. If you're planning to visit, skip peak summer if you can—June and September offer a much quieter, more peaceful experience. At the summit, you'll find a spacious parking lot where you can take a breather. The scenery? Absolutely stunning. You'll be treated to breathtaking views of Lake Payolle surrounded by dense pine forests, and on clear days, the Pic du Midi observatory looms magnificently in the distance. Keep an eye out too—cattle and horses often graze near the summit, adding to that authentic alpine charm.
extremeAbano Pass is a Georgian treacherous road closed in winters
🇬🇪 Georgia
# Abano Pass: Georgia's Ultimate Mountain Challenge Ready for an adventure that'll make your heart race? Abano Pass (also called Torgva Pass) sits at a jaw-dropping 2,864m (9,396ft) in the heart of the Great Caucasus Mountains, right where Kakheti and Tusheti regions meet near the Russian border. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—we're talking about the highest drivable mountain pass in the entire Caucasus. The 67.2km (41.75 miles) unpaved route winds from Pshaveli up through some seriously dramatic terrain to Omalo, a small mountain village at 1,850m. It's the kind of place that feels genuinely untouched—partly because it's cut off from the rest of Georgia for most of the year. Summer is your window, roughly May through October, but even then, weather and landslides can close things down unexpectedly. Seriously, you might get stuck for a couple days waiting for roads to dry out. Here's the real talk: this road demands respect. Only high-clearance 4x4 vehicles should attempt it, and you're looking at some brutal 17% gradients with zero guardrails hugging cliffsides above gorges. The unpredictable surface, hairpin turns, and countless memorials along the way tell you this isn't called a "death road" for nothing—roughly 10-12 fatalities happen here annually. But here's why people do it anyway? The scenery is absolutely stunning. Wildflowers dot the landscape, waterfalls cascade alongside you, and you'll spot everything from snow walls (sometimes 4 meters deep in July!) to incredible mountain vistas. The Soviet-built road, completed in 1978, even features a tiny chapel at the summit with a quirky coffee shop called "Above the Clouds" that sometimes opens up there. Pro tip: Book accommodation ahead (many homestays only operate July onward), hire a sober driver, and pick a clear weather day. And if your driver suggests taking shots of cha-cha on the way up? Politely decline. You've got this—just give it the respect it deserves.
moderateWhere is Puerto de Palombera?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, road trip enthusiasts, listen up! I've got a gem for you: Puerto de Palombera, a high mountain pass sitting pretty in Cantabria, Spain. This beauty winds through the Saja-Besaya Natural Park, offering stunning views of the Sierra del Cordel range. The road stretches a good long way, going from south to north starting in Espinilla. The whole thing is paved, so no need for off-road tires, but be warned: you'll be climbing! It's got an average gradient, but some ramps hit a maximum of 8.7%, so your engine will get a workout! Keep an eye on the weather, though. Being high up, it sometimes closes briefly in winter. Overall, this is a must-drive for anyone who loves a good climb and breathtaking scenery.
moderatePointe du Dzonfié
🇫🇷 France
Pointe du Dzonfié is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.185m (7,168ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. The road to the summit is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times. The road is impassable in winters. Great trail for experienced wheelers. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. Wet conditions may make for tough driving along the muddy road. Near the summit is a mountain hut known as Refuge du Nant du Beurre. 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.