
Adventure Along the Wild Road to Col de Cluy
France, europe
30 km
1,813 m
moderate
Year-round
# Col de Cluy
Tucked away in the Isère department of southeastern France, Col de Cluy sits pretty at 1,813m (5,948ft) in the heart of the Grandes Rousses massif. If you're familiar with the famous Alpe d'Huez, you'll find this gem lurking just to the south, nestled in the Rhône-Alpes region of the Central French Alps.
The 6.7km (4.16 miles) unpaved road winds its way south-to-north, connecting the paved D211E road to the Route du Col de Sarenne. Don't let the dirt surface fool you—it's generally kept in decent shape, though you'll definitely want a high-clearance vehicle to tackle it comfortably. Fair warning: there's a 30km/h speed limit throughout, and any vehicles over 3.5 tons are banned from the route.
At the summit, you'll find a small parking area where you can catch your breath and soak in the alpine scenery that makes this corner of the French Alps so special.
Where is it?
Adventure Along the Wild Road to Col de Cluy is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.9663, 1.7679
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 30 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,813 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 45.9663, 1.7679
Related Roads in europe
hardCol du Fort
🇫🇷 France
Col du Fort is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.787m (5,862ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France The road to the summit is gravel. It’s an old military road. It’s very narrow, pretty steep and closed in winters. After rain, sections of road can become decidedly hazardous when fast-flowing creek crossings and slippery mud can cause road closures. 4x4 track with experienced driver. The road was built between 1902 and 1907. Near the summit there’s a military fortress called Ouvrage Col du Fort, a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension. 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.
moderateDriving the paved road to Somport Pass in the Pyrenees
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto de Somport-Col du Somport Perched at 1,637 meters (5,370 feet) in the heart of the Pyrenees, this international mountain pass sits right on the border between Spain and France. It's the gateway connecting Huesca province in northeastern Spain with the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region in the French southwest, bridging the Aragón river valley on one side and the Aspe river valley on the other. The name itself is pretty cool—it comes from Latin "summus portus," literally meaning "the highest port." And for good reason: this is THE main pass through the central Pyrenees. The 16.2-kilometer (10-mile) route, officially called N330a, is completely paved and runs north-south from Canfranc-Estación all the way to Les Forges d'Abel. Fair warning though—this isn't a gentle cruise. You're looking at some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting 10% in places. It's exactly the kind of challenging climb that's caught the attention of pro cyclists over the years; both the Tour de France and Vuelta a España have tested riders here. The road stays open year-round, weather permitting, making it a solid choice for most of the year. But if you're worried about unpredictable conditions, there's an alternative: the Túnel de Somport opened in 2003 and runs about 8.6 kilometers, staying accessible 24/7 regardless of what Mother Nature throws at you.
hardExploring the Thrilling A-1604: Puerto del Serrablo's Picturesque Road Through the Pyrenees
🇪🇸 Spain
# Carretera A-1604: A Thrilling Ride Through Spain's Pyrenees If you're looking for an adrenaline-pumping drive through some seriously stunning mountain scenery, the Carretera A-1604 in Huesca, Aragon, should be on your bucket list. This 50.8 km (31.56 miles) gem winds its way through the heart of the Aragon Pyrenees, hugging the beautiful Guarga River as it snakes through the Sobrarbe region. Running west-east from the charming town of Lanave to Boltaña, this road (also known as Carretera de la Guarguera) climbs to a respectable 1,295m (4,248ft) at Puerto del Serrablo. Fair warning though: the pavement's seen better days with plenty of potholes, and some sections get pretty narrow. The real action kicks in during the final stretch—hairpin turns, steep gradients hitting 13.7%, and some seriously exposed drop-offs make this one for experienced drivers only. RVs and caravans? Definitely not recommended. The good news? Traffic is light, so you'll mostly have the road to yourself (aside from the motorcycle enthusiasts who absolutely love this place). The road's actually prestigious enough to have been featured in the Spanish Vuelta race. Expect dramatic mountain vistas, challenging curves, and the kind of driving that'll get your heart pumping. Just respect the road, respect the conditions, and you're in for an unforgettable adventure.
hardAlp Mandelon
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Alp Mandelon: A High Alpine Adventure Tucked away in the Pennine Alps of Switzerland's Valais canton, Alp Mandelon sits at a serious 2,066 meters (6,778 feet) above sea level. This isn't your typical leisurely drive—the road climbing up there is properly alpine: narrow, steep, and definitely not for the faint of heart. The route itself is paved, which is a bonus, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's easy. Winter is the real challenge here. At this elevation, snow doesn't just dust the pass—it can completely shut the road down without warning. If conditions get gnarly, the authorities won't hesitate to close access until everything's been cleared. So if you're planning a visit, timing is everything, and checking conditions beforehand isn't just recommended—it's essential.