A treacherous paved road to the summit of Col du Parquetout
France, europe
9.8 km
1,448 m
hard
Year-round
Col du Parquétout is a mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,448 m (4,750 ft) in the Isère department of southeastern France, right in the heart of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
The fully paved D212F road stretches 9.8 km (6.08 miles) from Villelonge to Les Angelas, and honestly? It's an adventure. The pass rewards you with those postcard-worthy southern views of the valley that'll make you forget about the white-knuckle ride to get there.
Here's the real talk though: this isn't your average Sunday cruise. The road is narrow and bumpy in places, with gravel patches that'll test your grip. Sharp hairpin turns combine with steep gradients reaching up to 13.3%, and there's zero margin for error since guardrails aren't part of the equation. Meeting another car? That's when things get properly interesting. The vibe is definitely more "spirited motorcycle run" than "leisurely drive," and you'll need solid driving skills and nerves of steel to tackle it comfortably. There's a small parking area at the summit if you make it up and need a moment to collect yourself. This one's a proper challenge for those who live for these kinds of mountain thrills.
Where is it?
A treacherous paved road to the summit of Col du Parquetout is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.9761, 2.0654
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 9.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,448 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.9761, 2.0654
Related Roads in europe
moderateLukmanier Pass is a 5-Star Road in the Swiss Alps
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Lukmanier Pass sits pretty at 1,915 meters (6,283 feet) above sea level, straddling the border between Grisons and Ticino in southern Switzerland. Known by a bunch of names—Passo del Lucomagno, Cuolm Lucmagn, Lukmanierpass, or Col du Lukmanier if you're feeling fancy—this pass is a gem worth exploring. The 60-kilometer (37-mile) route runs north-south, connecting Mustér or Disentis in the Surselva Region to Biasca in the Riviera district. You'll cruise along completely paved roads with excellent conditions and plenty of scenic switchbacks. One highlight? The eastern shore of Lake Sontga Maria, which hugs the road beautifully as you approach from the north. Fair warning though: there's an avalanche gallery near the dam that can still be icy even into early summer, so stay alert in that section. Craving sustenance? The summit's hospice, Hospizi Santa Maria, is your friend. Grab a table on their sunny terrace, enjoy some wind protection, and dig into authentic local specialties without breaking the bank. Since the pass sits at a relatively modest elevation for the Swiss Alps, it typically stays open year-round—a rarity up here. Just note that public buses from Disentis or Bellinzona/Olivone only run seasonally from summer into autumn, so plan accordingly if you're relying on public transport.
extremeWhere is Coll de Peguera?
🇪🇸 Spain
Coll de Peguera, sitting pretty at 1,721 meters (5,646 feet) above sea level, is a proper hidden gem in the Barcelona province of Spain. You'll find this beauty in the Berguedà region of Catalonia, way up in northeastern Spain. The road itself, known as Camí dels Rasos de Peguera, stretches for 7.6 km (4.72 miles). It winds its way from the Jaciment paleontològic de Fumanya (a cool archaeological museum) all the way up to the Rasos de Peguera ski resort. Now, getting to the top isn't a walk in the park. The road starts off paved but gets pretty gnarly towards the end with unpaved sections. It’s grippy enough, but watch out for loose gravel! And get this: some parts are barely 3.5 meters wide – super tight! Seriously, you'll probably want a 4x4 for this one. Perched up in the Serra d'Ensija-els Rasos de Peguera national park, it's usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather during winter. Short closures are pretty common when things get dicey. So, is it worth the trek? Absolutely! You're rewarded with killer mountain and forest vistas. Plus, it leads you to Peguera, a spooky ruined mountain town, and the abandoned Mina del Griell mine. Talk about exploring off the beaten path!
extremeDriving the exciting Splügen Pass in the Alps
🇮🇹 Italy
# Splügen Pass: A Classic Alpine Adventure Perched at 2,121m (6,958ft) on the Swiss-Italian border, Splügen Pass is an absolute gem for anyone who loves mountain driving. This stunning stretch connects Switzerland's Hinterrhein valley with Italy's Valle Spluga, and honestly, the hairpins and panoramic views make it worth the trip alone. The route's got serious pedigree—Romans were crossing this pass on foot centuries ago, but it wasn't until 1818-1823 that someone had the brilliant idea to actually build a proper road. The engineering here is genuinely impressive, especially that mind-blowing 312-metre avalanche gallery constructed in 1843 just before the summit. It's like watching history carved into the mountainside. The full 36.7 km (22.80 miles) stretch from Chiavenna in Italy to Splügen in Switzerland is completely paved these days, making it a fantastic drive. And what a drive it is! One moment you're threading through stacked tunnels with heart-stopping drops into the valley below, the next you're cruising through gorgeous Alpine meadows. The road swings between tight switchbacks and long, sweeping curves—it's the kind of road that keeps you smiling the whole way up. The Swiss side starts wide and civilized, winding gently through trees before climbing into those famous hairpins. Cross into Italy and things get more intense—steep, narrow bends, some tucked inside unlit tunnels. Fair warning: watch for cattle wandering the road and expect some slick patches even when it's dry. The descent is equally dramatic, with a string of galleries and tunnels before you hit Chiavenna. Fair heads-up: this pass typically closes from late October through June, depending on snow conditions. And pack your patience during summer weekends—it gets seriously busy. But if you're lucky enough to tackle it in good weather? You're in for one unforgettable Alpine experience.
hardA Wild Unpaved Road to Golzentipp in the Austrian Alps
🇦🇹 Austria
# Golzentipp: Alpine Views Worth the Rough Ride Perched at 2,236m (7,335ft) in Tyrol, Austria, Golzentipp is a stunning high mountain peak that sits just a stone's throw from the Italian border in the southern part of the country. Here's the real talk: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road to the summit is completely unpaved and seriously steep—you'll absolutely need a 4x4 vehicle to tackle it. Plus, it's a chairlift access trail that's closed to regular passenger cars and basically becomes impassable once winter rolls around. Starting from the town of Rals, you're looking at an 8.6 km (5.34 miles) climb with 719m of elevation gain. That works out to an average gradient of 8.36%, so yeah, it's definitely a workout for your vehicle. But here's why it's totally worth the bumpy ride: Golzentipp is wedged perfectly between the Lienz Dolomites and the Carnic Alps, and the views are absolutely mind-blowing. The summit is crowned with an impressive cross, and on a clear day, you can see forever—the Lienz Dolomites, Hohe Tauern, the Carnic Ridge, the Sesto Dolomites, and even the Großglockner in the distance. If you're into alpine scenery and don't mind a challenging drive, this peak delivers the kind of panoramic views that make the rough journey completely worthwhile.