An old military road to the top of Col de la Pare
France, europe
4.8 km
2,412 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de la Paré: A Wild Alpine Adventure
Want to experience some serious French alpine terrain? Head to Col de la Paré, a stunning mountain pass sitting pretty at 2,412 meters (7,913 feet) in the Savoie department of southeastern France, near its neighbor Col des Rochilles.
Here's the deal: this route isn't your typical smooth highway. Built between 1902 and 1907 for military operations, the Route Militaire des Rochilles still feels like stepping back in time. The road is mostly unpaved and pretty gnarly, so bring a 4x4 if you've got one—trust us on this.
Starting from the Parking de 3 lacs just off the D902 road south of Valloire, you're looking at a compact but intense 4.8 km (2.98 miles) of pure mountain magic. Narrow, steep, and featuring 16 hairpin turns that'll keep you on your toes, this isn't a drive for the faint-hearted.
Once you've conquered the switchbacks, the payoff is worth it. At the summit, you'll find the Ouvrage Les Rochilles, a fascinating remnant of the Maginot Line's Alpine fortifications, plus the cozy Refuge du camp des Rochilles where you can catch your breath and soak in the views.
Fair warning: come winter, this road gets absolutely buried in snow and becomes impassable. Plan your adventure for warmer months when conditions are actually manageable.
Where is it?
An old military road to the top of Col de la Pare is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.0242, 3.2780
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 4.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,412 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.0242, 3.2780
Related Roads in europe
extreme1. Ligne des Causses and the Garabit Viaduct
🇫🇷 France
Cruising from Clermont-Ferrand to Béziers? The A75 mirrors the Ligne des Causses, taking you through the Massif Central's wild plateaus and dramatic gorges. The real kicker? The Millau Viaduct, the tallest bridge *in the world*, soaring above the landscape. Eiffel's Garabit Viaduct nearby seals the deal, making this a pilgrimage for infrastructure junkies. Heading from Paris to Annecy? You're on the doorstep of the Alps! While the train whisks hikers to the peaks, drivers tackle the legendary Iseran Pass. Prepare for hairpin turns, brutal climbs, and weather that changes on a dime. The payoff? Jaw-dropping views of Burgundy and the Alps that'll leave you speechless. All aboard for adventure near the Spanish border! The Yellow Train chugs up 1,200 meters into the Pyrenees, hitting the highest station in France at Bolquère. Prefer rubber to rails? The surrounding roads offer a thrilling, if treacherous, drive through tight canyons. This remote wilderness demands precision behind the wheel. Chasing that Mediterranean vibe? The Cote d'Azur rail line delivers, but for an adrenaline rush, hit the Corniches (low, middle, and upper). Carved into the cliffs between Nice and Monaco, these roads are notorious for narrow lanes and sheer drops. The views are spectacular, but the experience is *intense*. Fancy a fragrant journey through pine forests? Follow the Train des Pignes from Nice to Digne-les-Bains, then brace yourself for the Gorges du Verdon, the "Grand Canyon of Europe." Driving here is not for the faint of heart. This cliffside road boasts vertical drops exceeding 700 meters. Buckle up! Corsica's "Trinichellu" train winds through the island's mountainous heart. Driving here is a different beast entirely. Expect narrow, winding roads with minimal guardrails. The mountain passes near the Vizzavona Pass demand serious focus, making it a bucket-list destination for thrill-seeking drivers.
hardDriving the Rough and Rocky Road to Verliga Dragon Lake
🇬🇷 Greece
# Verliga Dragon Lake: Greece's Ultimate High-Alpine Adventure Perched at a breathtaking 2,125m (6,971ft), Verliga Dragon Lake is one of Greece's most spectacular mountain hideaways. This pristine alpine gem sits right on the border between Epirus and Thessaly regions, nestled at the base of Mt. Lakmos and just north of Baros Pass within the stunning Tzoumerka, Peristeri & Arachthos National Park. The lake itself is a water source for both the Acheloos and Arachthos rivers—pretty cool when you think about it. But here's the thing: getting there isn't for the faint of heart. The 27.4km (17.02 miles) route from Chaliki to Megalo Peristeri is completely unpaved, seriously rough, and rocky. You'll absolutely need a sturdy 4x4 to tackle this beast. Expect bone-jarring sections, hair-raising drop-offs, and passages so narrow they'll test your nerve and your vehicle's suspension. The alpine setting is jaw-dropping, but Mother Nature keeps this route locked down most of the year—snow closes it from November through May. Plan your visit between June and early autumn, ideally during spring snowmelt when the region's waterfalls are absolutely thundering with water. That's when the landscape hits peak drama. This is genuinely one of Greece's toughest driving challenges, rewarding only the most committed adventurers. But those who make the pilgrimage? They'll find themselves in one of the country's most remote and stunning mountain sanctuaries.
hardCol de la Lariée: Driving the 1,964m unpaved military border track
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Lariée: A Wild Alpine Adventure Just northwest of Basera Pass sits Col de la Lariée, a rugged 1,964m (6,443ft) mountain pass that sits right on the France-Italy border. This isn't your typical scenic mountain drive—it's a genuine slice of Alpine history and challenge rolled into one. This pass connects the Alpes-Maritimes in southeastern France with Piedmont's Province of Cuneo in Italy, following an old military route that traces the watershed line through the Ligurian Alps. On a clear day, the views are absolutely stunning—jagged limestone peaks dominating your windshield and glimpses of the Mediterranean coast in the distance. And yes, you'll spot remnants of early 20th-century military fortifications scattered around, adding a fascinating historical layer to the drive. Now, let's talk about what you're actually getting into. This isn't paved—it's a rough-and-tumble gravel and crushed rock track that demands serious respect. We're talking narrow, exposed sections with steep drops and zero guardrails. A high-clearance 4x4 is basically essential here. After rain, the loose rocky surface gets slippery fast, and patches of thin mountain soil turn into genuine mud. You'll need nerves of steel and excellent vehicle handling to navigate this properly. The stretch itself is surprisingly short—just 650 meters (0.4 miles) from Passo di Tanarello—but don't let that fool you. At this elevation with this terrain, those few hundred meters pack serious intensity. The pass typically opens late June and closes by October when heavy snow and ice shut down the high ridgelines. It's a short but genuinely technical section that connects the historic military roads linking Italy and France.
hardPuntal de la Canilla
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Puntal de la Canilla is calling your name. Nestled high in the Sierra Nevada National Park in Granada, Andalusia, Spain, this peak sits at a staggering 2,335m (7,660ft). We're talking about one of the highest roads in the whole country! Now, fair warning, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road to the top is a rugged mix of gravel and rock, so expect a bumpy, tippy ride. You'll definitely need a 4x4 and some serious off-road skills. Not a fan of heights? Maybe sit this one out. Plus, it's usually snowed in from October to June, so plan your trip accordingly. The trail's steep and the weather can change in a heartbeat. Think strong winds, rapid temperature drops, and potential thunderstorms that can turn the road into a 4x4-only zone (or worse, impassable). Pack warm clothes, brace yourself against the wind, and get ready for some seriously epic views. The scenery alone makes it worth the adventure!