An iconic road to Col du Grand Colombier in the western Alps
France, europe
30 km
1,501 m
hard
Year-round
# Col du Grand Colombier
Hidden in the Jura Mountains of eastern France, just north of the Alps, Col du Grand Colombier sits at a pretty impressive 1,501 meters (4,925 feet). This scenic pass is tucked away in the Ain department, part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
The fully paved D120 road stretches for 30 kilometers (19 miles) running north-south from Culoz, and honestly, you'll barely see another soul out here. The isolation is part of its charm. But here's the thing — this pass is *intense*. We're talking brutal 19% gradients in sections, with relentless hairpin turns that'll keep your hands gripped on the wheel. The toughest stretch? The infamous Lacets du Grand Colombier will test your driving (or cycling) skills big time. It's no wonder the Tour de France made this a Stage 10 feature back in 2012.
Push through to the summit and you'll find a generous parking area with absolutely killer views. From up there, you can gaze across the Rhône valley, catch sight of Lac du Bourget, peer into the dramatic Val-de-Fier gorges, and on a clear day, see the distant Alps stretching across the horizon. Completely worth the white-knuckle drive.
Where is it?
An iconic road to Col du Grand Colombier in the western Alps is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 47.2457, 1.6146
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 30 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,501 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 47.2457, 1.6146
Related Roads in europe
hardThe breathtaking road to Couillade de Llerbès
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up for Couillade de Llerbès! This hidden gem sits way up high in the French Pyrenees, specifically in the Ariège department of Occitanie. We're talking 2,299 meters (7,542 feet) above sea level! Now, this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road is more of a rugged, rocky, gravel track – a chairlift access trail, actually. It's seriously steep, like, "hold-on-to-your-hat" steep. Think loose stones and even rockier conditions as you climb higher. You'll need perfect timing to tackle this one, probably only in late August. And be prepared for wind! It's pretty much a constant companion up here. Summer might bring a surprise dusting of snow, and winter? Forget about it – brutally cold temps. This route is basically a service road for a ski station, and some sections boast a crazy 30% gradient. But if you're up for a real adventure, the views are totally worth it!
moderateHow to drive the Drammen Spiral Tunnel in Norway?
🇳🇴 Norway
# Spiralen Drammen Ever wanted to drive through a giant spiral? Welcome to Spiralen Drammen, a uniquely quirky tunnel carved right out of Bragernesåsen hill in Drammen, Norway. This isn't your typical road—it's literally a helix that winds up the mountainside in six perfect loops. Built between 1953 and 1961 (and officially opened by King Olav V himself), this engineering marvel takes you on a 1,649-meter journey climbing from 50 meters up to about 200 meters above sea level. The entire tunnel is fully paved and smooth, though fair warning: if you're claustrophobic, you might want to skip this one. Located in Eastern Norway's most populated area, the tunnel gets a decent amount of traffic—averaging around 350 vehicles daily, though it can swing wildly from just 100 cars to over 2,000 depending on the season. But here's the best part: once you emerge at the top, you're treated to stunning panoramic views of Drammen. There's a viewpoint, the Drammen Museum (an open-air exhibition), parking for up to 200 cars, a cafeteria, kiosk, restrooms, and plenty of seating areas where you can catch your breath and soak in the scenery. Open daily from 6 AM to 11 PM, it's the perfect pit stop for anyone exploring this part of Norway. Trust us—it's a drive you won't forget.
extremeHow to drive the unpaved road to Madriccio Refuge in South Tyrol
🇮🇹 Italy
# Rifugio Madriccio-Madrisch Hütte If you're craving a real alpine adventure, the Rifugio Madriccio-Madrisch Hütte awaits you at a breathtaking 2,828 m (9,278 ft) in South Tyrol, Italy. Nestled in the stunning Ortler Alps near the Swiss border, this high-mountain refuge sits in the Vinschgau valley, just east of the legendary Stelvio Pass. Here's the thing: getting there is definitely not for the faint of heart. The entire 6 km (3.72 mile) journey from Solda is completely unpaved and brutally steep—we're talking a 15.38% average gradient that'll have your heart racing. Only 4x4 vehicles are permitted, and it's strictly off-limits to regular cars. With nearly 1,000 meters of elevation gain packed into those few kilometers, you'll understand why it's counted among Italy's highest roads. Fair warning: this route is completely snowed out from October through May, so plan your visit for the summer months. Once you reach the refuge, hardcore cyclists can tackle an additional bike-only trail to the Madritschjoch pass at 3,123 m (10,246 ft)—equally intense and with zero cell service. The payoff? Absolutely stunning alpine scenery and an experience you won't forget. Just make sure your vehicle (and your nerves) are up for the challenge.
hardHow To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Pico Agujas
🇪🇸 Spain
Pico Agujas is a stunning high mountain peak sitting at 2,101m (6,893ft) in León province, tucked away in the northwestern corner of Castile and León, Spain. Want a real adventure? The route up to this summit—also called Collado Agujas or Collá las Agujas—is completely unpaved and seriously not for the faint of heart. This is the service road for the San Isidro ski resort's chairlift, and it's packed with tight hairpin turns and gnarly steep sections that demand a proper 4x4 vehicle to tackle. Nestled within the beautiful Redes Natural Park, the road stretches just 3.8 km (2.36 miles) from the Aparcamiento Sector Cebolledo parking lot to the summit. You'll gain 406m in elevation over that distance, which works out to an average gradient of 10.68%—no joke. Fair warning though: this route is basically off-limits from October through June, so plan your visit for the warmer months if you're serious about making the drive.