Boismint lift
France, europe
N/A
2,671 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for a ride up the Boismint lift road in the French Alps! We're talking serious altitude here – a whopping 2,671 meters (8,763 feet) above sea level, putting you right in the heart of the Savoie department. You'll find this gem nestled in Val Thorens, Europe's highest resort.
Now, don't expect a smooth cruise. This is a gravel road that gets rocky and bumpy in spots. This is a lift access road. Basically, you need to be prepared for some off-road action, and unless you're confident on unpaved mountain roads, maybe skip this one. A 4x4 is a must.
Oh, and did I mention the steepness? And heights? Yeah, this isn't for the faint of heart! The road is usually closed from October to June because of the snow, but if you hit it right, you're in for some seriously stunning alpine views. Only experienced off-roaders should attempt this one!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,671 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateSognefjell National Route is a scenic mountain road in Norway
🇳🇴 Norway
# Sognefjell National Route Ready for one of Norway's most breathtaking drives? Sognefjell National Route is a 110 km (70 mi) stunner that'll have you questioning why you've never heard of it before. This fully paved mountain road connects Sogndalsfjøra in Vestland county to Lom in Innlandet county, weaving through some seriously dramatic scenery. Opened way back in 1938, this iconic route climbs high into the Jotunheimen Mountains, peaking at Fantesteinen pass at 1,437m (4,714 ft) above sea level—making it one of Northern Europe's highest mountain roads. Fair warning: the road gets a bit narrow in spots and throws some legit hairpin turns your way that'll definitely test your nerve. Here's the thing about timing: the road's only open from early May through October, with winter closures and those incredible ten-meter walls of snow marking the season's opening. The weather up here is wild and unpredictable, so check conditions before you go. Summer's short, and even in the sun, shadowy patches might still hold winter's grip. But the payoff? Absolutely worth it. You're cruising past jagged peaks, pristine emerald lakes, and landscapes that shift from lush green fjords to stark, treeless plateaus. The road earns its National Tourist Route status fair and square. Plan your trip for clear, sunny weather if you can, and budget extra time to explore the hiking trails and viewpoints scattered along the way. Trust us—you'll want to linger.
hardWhere is Lake Kapetan?
🌍 Montenegro
Lake Kapetanovo, nestled in Montenegro's Morača region, sits pretty high up there! You'll find this beauty in the western part of the country, tucked into the Moracke Planine mountains. Bonus: there are restaurants and mountain huts around the lake. So, what's the road like? Well, it's got a split personality! A 4x4 is highly recommended, but a high-clearance 2WD SUV can make it if you're careful and the weather is dry. There are two tricky climbs to watch out for — one steep, rocky climb right after the pavement ends, and another up the slopes of Lukavica, also loose and rocky. Things are changing fast, though! More and more of the road is being paved because Kapetanovo is getting super popular. It's *technically* possible to get there mostly on pavement and easy gravel if you know the secret routes, but most maps will send you on the off-road adventures. From Nikšić, the second-biggest city, it's quite a journey. The road starts paved and marked along the Gračanica River. Once you head towards Dragovoljci, things get narrow and steep — barely wide enough for one car, with switchbacks galore. Then, after a small village, the pavement vanishes! That first off-road bit has loose rocks, deep ruts, and some technical climbs. High clearance and 4WD are your friend here, but a careful 2WD SUV with good clearance might manage. A few miles later, the trail smooths out. You'll cruise through shaded forest with the occasional rut and tight bend, which might be a challenge if you’re driving something over 16 feet long. After about 10-15 minutes, the trees open up, revealing wide meadows, and the climb gets easier along Lukavica. Keep an eye out for hidden ruts in the grass and some steeper, rockier patches. On a clear day, you can even spot distant mountains! That scenic stretch takes about 20 minutes. Eventually, you'll hit pavement again, and it’s smooth sailing (mostly) to the lake. The road's narrow and a bit potholed, but it's in pretty good shape. The final push to Kapetanovo is fairly steep. Heavier vehicles might need to gear down for a bit. The last little bit is too narrow for passing, so watch for oncoming traffic. But trust me, once you conquer that final climb, you're rewarded with views of the gorgeous plateau and the turquoise waters of Kapetanovo Lake. It's a wild and beautiful place, totally worth the drive!
extremeMorkaya Road is one of the most demanding drives in the world
🇹🇷 Turkey
# The Road to Morkaya: Turkey's Ultimate White-Knuckle Adventure Tucked away in the Yusufeli District of Artvin Province in northeastern Turkey, the route to the tiny village of Morkaya has earned its fearsome reputation—and honestly, it deserves every bit of it. This 8km shortcut connecting the scenic paved Erzurum-Artvin highway to Morkaya has humbled countless drivers and isn't exactly the route you'd recommend to your grandmother. Fair warning: this isn't your average mountain drive. You're looking at crawling along at around 15km/h through what can only be described as dreadfully maintained terrain. The road is insanely narrow—literally too tight for two cars to pass each other—and it drops off hundreds of meters on either side without the comfort of guardrails. If heights make you queasy, this definitely isn't your jam. The journey kicks off with a brutal 15% gradient on concrete, testing both your vehicle's capabilities and your nerve. Most of the route shifts to loose gravel, which means traction is basically whatever you can negotiate with your tires. The hairpin turns are relentless, often so sharp you might not make them in one pass. Add dense fog and rain—which are practically permanent residents here—and you've got a recipe for serious slickness and mud. This is legitimately a road for experienced mountain drivers only. Bad weather can turn it from challenging to genuinely treacherous in minutes. Unless unpaved mountain roads are your specialty, steer clear during poor conditions. Your heart (and stomach) will thank you.
extremeHow is the road to Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: a wild ride through northern Morocco to a place that feels like the edge of the map! We're talking about the road to get a glimpse of Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, that quirky Spanish enclave clinging to the Moroccan coast. Starting near Torres de Alcalá, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a 5.8 km (3.6-mile) rough and tumble track snaking along the Rif mountains. Think narrow, unpaved, and seriously steep in places. You'll be wrestling with sharp turns and some pretty intense drop-offs with killer views of the Med. The surface? Mostly loose gravel and dust, which turns into a slip-and-slide if it rains. A 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle is a MUST. Now, the big thing to remember: you can't actually *drive* onto the Peñón itself. It's a military zone, off-limits to us mere mortals. But the road leads to an epic viewpoint high above it all. From there, you get this mind-blowing panorama of the fortress, the azure sea, and that crazy little 85-meter strip of sand that's the world's shortest international border! Just don't even think about getting close to the military gates. What makes this road so special? It's the raw, untamed beauty of the Rif region combined with the bizarre geopolitical situation. It's a taste of adventure and a front-row seat to a truly unique corner of the world. Seeing that Spanish fortress connected to Morocco by a tiny beach is just…surreal. If you love off-the-beaten-path travel with a dash of history, this is calling your name!