Adventure along Pas de Colle Ardente
France, europe
N/A
1,617 m
hard
Year-round
# Passo di Collardente-Pas de Colle Ardente
Nestled in the Maritime Alps at 1,617 meters (5,305 ft), this high mountain pass sits right on the Italy-France border and is the crown jewel of the legendary Via del Sale route.
If you're up for an adventure, the Via del Sale delivers in spades. This isn't your typical paved road—it's a rugged dirt track and mule path that demands respect and a capable vehicle (or serious hiking boots). The scenery? Absolutely spectacular. You're riding through some of the most dramatic alpine terrain imaginable.
Just keep in mind: this route transforms with the seasons. The pass is closed from October through March when winter weather takes over, so plan your visit for the warmer months if you want to actually make it through. Outside of winter, though, this is an unforgettable trek through some of Europe's most stunning mountain country.
Where is it?
Adventure along Pas de Colle Ardente is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.6700, 3.4188
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 1,617 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.6700, 3.4188
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Rifugio Pulpito?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're in South Tyrol, Italy, ready for an epic climb to Rifugio Pulpito (Kanzel-Hütte), a mountain refuge perched high in the Ortler Alps. Trust me, the views are worth the effort – think dramatic peaks of the Ortler massif stretching as far as the eye can see. You'll find the refuge nestled in the Solda (Sulden) valley, overlooking the village, right at the base of the "Three Giants": Ortler, Zebru, and Königsspitze. It's a landscape of glaciers and serious alpine vibes. Now, the road? Well, "road" might be a generous term. It's more of a rugged track – gravel, loose rocks, and a whole lotta earth. You’ll need some skills and a high-clearance vehicle (or the legs of a mountain goat if you’re biking). Starting from the village below, it's only about to the top, but don't underestimate it! You'll be tackling a serious elevation gain of . That works out to an average gradient of almost 14%, and trust me, there are sections that are *much* steeper, with hairpin turns that'll make your head spin. The path is narrow and can be pretty rough thanks to snowmelt erosion. And keep in mind, this is high altitude, so the road's usually closed from because of snow and ice. Even in summer, the weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for potential closures. One last thing: since you're in a National Park, double-check the local rules about driving up there. They can change, and sometimes it's only open to certain vehicles. But if you can make it, you're in for an unforgettable alpine adventure!
hardBreathtaking landscapes on the scenic F228 Road to the Veiðivötn lakes
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, buckle up for the F228, also known as Veiðivatnaleið, in southern Iceland! This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking serious 4x4 territory only – high clearance is a MUST, and experience behind the wheel is non-negotiable. Located northeast of Fjallabak Nature Reserve and Landmannalaugar, this road is almost entirely unpaved. We're talking 29 km (18 miles) of rough terrain, stretching from Road 26 to the gorgeous Snjóölduvatn Lake. You'll be cruising through an ashy desert, climbing to 627 m (2,057 ft) above sea level. The road is usually only open from late June until October, so summer is your window. The big challenge? Two fords. The first is usually manageable, but the second, closer to the lakes, can get deep. Seriously deep. We're talking "potentially wrecking your rental car" deep. River crossings are unpredictable and downright dangerous. Only seasoned drivers in properly equipped jeeps or super trucks should even think about it. Always scout the depth before crossing because water levels can change in a flash! Get stuck? Call 112, but remember rental insurance won't cover water damage. Night driving? Not recommended. But hey, the views! Situated northeast of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, expect mind-blowing views through the Veiðivötn lake area, surrounded by otherworldly landscapes. This region boasts around 50 stunning lakes formed after a volcanic eruption created a series of craters, which then filled with water to become maars. Picture this: black sand deserts meeting shimmering water – it's unreal! This area is nearly 20 km long and 5 km wide, with endless scenic viewpoints. If you're prepared, this road offers a natural wonderland of landscape and geology like nowhere else.
hardWhere is Cesare Branca Refuge?
🇮🇹 Italy
Cesare Branca al Lago delle Rosole is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of above sea level, located in the Where is Cesare Branca Refuge? The hut is located in the , in the northern part of the country, in the . It’s located a few meters away from the scenic Why is it called Cesare Branca Refuge? , a Milanese lawyer and mountaineer. When was Cesare Branca Refuge built? thanks to a donation from , who wished to honor the memory of her brother , a well-known and respected Milanese mountaineer of the time. The project was designed by engineer Cesare De Micheli Milan section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) , the refuge was inaugurated in . Over the years, it was expanded several times to improve functionality and accommodate more visitors. , the refuge was complemented by the Rifugio Genesio Martinelli , a long-time caretaker of the Branca refuge, in memory of his brother. A few years later, in , the Milan section oversaw the construction of a modern and functional expansion of Rifugio Branca, further enhancing its facilities for mountaineers and hikers. How long is the road to Cesare Branca Refuge? The road to the refuge is totally unpaved, very narrow, and steep long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is , and the average gradient is Is the road to Cesare Branca Refuge open? Parco Nazionale dello , the road is usually open from mid-June through mid-September only to authorized vehicles The Italian Road That Stops Just Short of the Ultimate Danger Zone (Mount Vesuvius, Italy) Discover Italy’s Essence with Every Hertz Car Hire 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.
extremeStrada Foresta Girgini
🇮🇹 Italy
# Strada Foresta Girgini: Sardinia's Ultimate Test Drive Ready to have your driving skills put to the ultimate test? The Strada Foresta Girgini in Nuoro Province, Sardinia, is absolutely not your average Sunday drive. This beast of a road demands 100% of your attention and has left countless confident drivers humbled in its wake. Spanning 30.3 kilometers through the heart of Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu, this route climbs to a jaw-dropping 1,178 meters elevation and throws 40+ hairpin turns at you. Most of the road is paved, but here's where it gets gnarly: 10 kilometers of the journey is pure gravel—narrow, treacherous, and 4WD only. We're talking hundreds of meters of exposure with zero guardrails. Yeah, unprotected drops that'll make your stomach flip. This road absolutely demands high-clearance 4WD vehicles. Seriously—if you're thinking about tackling this in a regular 2-seater sedan, you might want to schedule that new car purchase first. Novice drivers and anyone prone to vertigo should steer clear entirely. The steep grades, landslide risks, and disorienting drops thousands of feet below require serious driving chops and genuine nerves. But here's the payoff: the breathtaking mountain scenery is genuinely spectacular, and at the end awaits Nuraghe Ruinas, a fascinating abandoned archaeological site frozen in time since a devastating plague wiped out the town in 1400. This road separates the serious drivers from the rest. Know your limits—and your car's limits—before you go.