An old military road to Fort de Dormillouse
France, europe
9.8 km
2,480 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the French Alps, specifically the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, in the gorgeous Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. You're headed up to Fort de Dormillouse, an old military fortress perched way up high at 2,480 meters (that's over 8,000 feet!).
This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. The road is a super-old military track, and let me tell you, it's all dirt – totally unpaved. Plus, it's usually snowed in from late October until almost July, so plan your trip accordingly!
The climb starts in Le Lauzet-Ubaye, and it's a beast. You're looking at about 9.8 kilometers (just over 6 miles) of seriously steep uphill driving. We're talking an elevation gain of 1,572 meters with an average gradient of 16%! But the views? Totally worth it. And the best part? There's a restaurant at the top to reward yourself after that epic climb!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 9.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,480 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardA narrow scenic road to Mont Tendre
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Mont Tendre: A Hidden Gem in the Jura Tucked away in Switzerland's Jura mountains in the Vaud canton, Mont Tendre is one of those thrilling mountain passes that'll make your heart race. We're talking 1,679 meters (5,508 feet) of Alpine goodness, and honestly? It's absolutely worth the drive. Starting from Montrichier, you're looking at just over 8 kilometers of pure climbing—782 meters of elevation gain to be precise. That works out to an average gradient of 9.7%, though the road kicks up to a gnarly 14% at its steepest points. The asphalt ends at the Chalet du Mont Tendre (1,615m), where a welcoming restaurant awaits weary climbers. Here's the thing: this is a single-lane road winding through dense forest, which means it's wonderfully quiet and traffic-free. But that peaceful vibe comes with a caveat—those blind hairpin turns demand serious respect. Take them slowly, stay alert, and you'll be fine. If you love that raw, tree-lined climb experience with minimal crowds, Mont Tendre absolutely delivers. The scenery is quintessentially Jura—all forested mountainsides and that satisfying sense of real adventure that disappears on busier routes.
easyDesfiladero de la Inclusa: this drive is not for timid drivers
🇪🇸 Spain
# Desfiladero de la Inclusa Hidden in the heart of Huesca's Sobrarbe region in northeastern Aragon, Spain, you'll find one of the country's most breathtaking canyon drives. The A-2609 winds through the dramatic Desfiladero de la Inclusa, following the Cinqueta river as it carves through towering canyon walls in the Pirineo mountains. This isn't your average Sunday cruise. Built back in the 1960s, the 12.1 km (7.51 miles) road stretching west-east from Salinas to Plan is famously narrow—and I mean *really* narrow. You're looking at a one-lane squeeze for the entire journey, so encountering another vehicle is basically your worst nightmare scenario. Seriously, if backing up isn't your strong suit, you might want to reconsider. Rock falls are a real concern here, so stay sharp and take it slow. The good news? The road is paved, and you'll mostly have it to yourself except for the occasional cyclist or weekend biker. The scenery is absolutely stunning—your passengers will be glued to the windows while you're laser-focused on navigating the potholes and hairpin curves. It's genuinely one of those roads that'll make you appreciate both your driving skills and your camera's storage capacity. Fair warning: conditions get sketchy after rain, so check the weather before heading out. Bring your camera, keep your wits about you, and prepare for an unforgettable ride through one of Spain's most dramatic landscapes.
extremeAn old military road to Lago d'Arpon
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Lago d'Arpon, straddling the French-Italian border, is calling your name from a lofty 1,830 meters (6,003 feet) above sea level. But fair warning: getting there is not for the faint of heart! We're talking serious 4x4 territory only, folks. This "road" – and I use that term loosely – to Lago dell'Arpone is skinny, gnarly, and forget about it in the winter. Think you've got the skills? This one will test them, along with your courage. If you get wobbly knees looking down, maybe skip this one. Landslides? Yeah, they're a thing. But oh, the views! Seriously, your tires will be singing with joy at the panoramic mountain vistas. Just try not to focus on the hundreds of meters of unprotected drop-offs right next to you. This old military road, carved into the Alps back in the day, is a real piece of history. Get ready for an unforgettable, if slightly terrifying, ride!
extremeLa Ruta del Silencio: Is the A-1702 the Most Spectacular Panoramic Road in Spain?
🇪🇸 Spain
# The A-1702: Spain's Most Beautifully Quiet Road If you're craving the kind of drive where your engine becomes the main soundtrack, the A-1702—aka "The Silent Route"—is calling your name. This stunning 63-kilometer stretch winds between Venta de la Pintada (Gargallo) and Puerto de Cuarto Pelado (Cantavieja) in Teruel, Spain, and it's basically a time machine on asphalt. You'll pass isolated farmhouses, stone-carved pathways, and villages that somehow cling to cliffsides like they're defying gravity. The road earned its poetic nickname honestly—traffic here is virtually nonexistent, and the quiet is genuinely eerie in the best way possible. You're driving through one of Europe's most depopulated regions, sometimes called the "South of Lapland," where the canyons bounce back nothing but your own engine noise. It's the ultimate slow-driving experience, a place where you can actually hear the landscape speak through its ancient towers, abandoned mills, and windswept gorges. Don't let the pristine asphalt fool you—this road delivers serious thrills. Every curve feels sculpted by nature itself, with dramatic bends and jaw-dropping gorges that'll keep your hands busy on the wheel. Want to amp up the adventure? Detour onto the TE-V-8042 toward Montoro de Mezquita. This narrow mountain branch features hand-carved rock tunnels so tight they're basically a test of your spatial awareness. We're talking single-lane passages with jagged walls and barely enough clearance overhead. RV and van drivers: proceed with respect here. The route is drivable year-round, but each season completely transforms the experience. Beyond the driving itself, there's real history woven into these roads. Near Cuarto Pelado, you'll find a tribute to "El Caimán," the legendary bus line that connected these mountain towns for decades—complete with a photo spot where you can step back in time. There's also the "Silencioso" sculpture, a perfect pause point where you might spot vultures circling the cliffs below. This is a safe, tranquil drive for cars, motorcycles, and adventurous families, though the curves demand respect and defensive driving habits. Watch for free-roaming livestock around blind corners, and don't underestimate temperature swings as you climb from valley floor to mountain peak. Pack layers and take your time—this road rewards those who savor every kilometer.