Col d’Anglas
France, europe
N/A
2,453 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Col d’Anglas in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of southwestern France is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a lung-busting climb to 2,453 meters (8,047 feet) smack-dab in the Pyrenees National Park.
Forget smooth asphalt; this is a rocky, gravelly path—actually, it's a service road for the Gourette ski resort's chairlift. Think seriously steep inclines, like up to 30% in places! Loose stones and even bigger rocks make for a real challenge, especially higher up.
Hit this trail in late August for your best shot, but be warned: mountain weather is no joke. Wind howls up here year-round, and even in summer, you might find yourself dodging snow. Winter? Brutal cold doesn't even begin to describe it. But hey, the views? Totally worth the adrenaline rush!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,453 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhat is at the summit of Seminsky Pass?
🌍 Russia
Seminsky Pass in the Altai Republic of Russia is a total must-see! This high mountain pass sits at 1,894m (6,213ft) and is the highest point on the highway, winding through the Seminsky ridge. Locals also call it Dyal-Menku or Dyal-Menka, which means "The timeless mountain." At the summit, you'll find a huge sculpture, a bustling little market with souvenir shops, and a monument commemorating Gorny Altai's incorporation into Russia. There's also a big parking lot, a bar, and more souvenir shops – perfect for a pit stop! The pass marks a key natural boundary between the Northern and Central Altay regions. The road itself is fully paved – it’s the P56, or Chuiskyi trakt road, the main artery connecting Siberia with Mongolia and China. What's now a smooth ride was once a crazy dangerous horse path! It evolved over the years, from a single-lane crushed stone road in the early 20th century where drivers had to honk to warn oncoming traffic, to the dual highway we have today (built in 1984). The pass stretches 176km (109 miles) from Tuyekta to Mayma, with a 9 km climb up and an 11 km descent. Expect miles of incredible views, twisty hairpin turns, and steep grades. It can get crowded with trucks heading between Russia and Mongolia, so be aware. Seminsky Pass has been a sacred place for centuries, with a "cult of mountains" influencing local traditions, like the "obo" monuments where people leave offerings.
hardA military paved road to Teglia Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo della Teglia: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure Ready for a wild ride through the Italian Alps? Passo della Teglia is calling your name—if you're brave enough to answer. Sitting pretty at 1,387 meters (4,550 feet) above sea level, this mountain pass cuts right through the heart of Liguria in northwestern Italy, nestled between the Argentina and Arroscia valleys and practically kissing the French border. The 26-kilometer (16-mile) journey from Andagna to Rezzo along Strada Provinciale 17 is fully paved, but don't let that fool you. This former military route has serious alpine credentials. We're talking narrow sections, relentless switchbacks, and a jaw-dropping 32 hairpin bends that'll test your nerve and your steering wheel. The dramatic drops on either side aren't for the faint of heart, and Mother Nature occasionally throws rockslides into the mix just to keep things interesting. If twisty mountain roads make you nervous, this might not be your jam. But if you live for that adrenaline rush and the stunning scenery that comes with conquering an alpine pass? Passo della Teglia delivers in spades. This is the kind of drive that makes for legendary road trip stories.
hardA narrow zigzag road from Asi Gonia to Kallikratis in Crete
🇬🇷 Greece
# The Asi Gonia to Kallikratis Road: A White-Knuckle Adventure in Crete Ready for a driving challenge that'll get your adrenaline pumping? The road connecting the mountain village of Asi Gonia to the plateau town of Kallikratis in southwestern Crete is absolutely not for the faint of heart. This 8.7 km stretch winds through the dramatic Lefka Ori mountains, and trust me—it demands your full attention from start to finish. The paved road is a masterpiece of hairpin turns (we're talking 20 of them!) with steep climbs that'll max out at 10% grade. You'll start at 391m elevation and climb a hefty 430m, averaging nearly 5% gradient the entire way. What makes this drive truly intense? Narrow sections that seem to squeeze tighter with each turn, dangerous drop-offs that'll make you grip the wheel harder, and the ever-present threat of rockslides that can render the road impassable without warning. The zigzagging route is relentless—dozens of turns mean you're constantly steering, braking, and navigating blind corners. The scenery through the Lefka Ori is absolutely stunning, but you'll need to keep your eyes firmly on the road rather than the views. This isn't a leisurely Sunday drive—it's a serious test of driving skill and nerve. Experienced mountain drivers only, please.
hardIs the road to Üzengili Yaylası unpaved?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Ready for a ride that’ll test your mettle? Let's talk about getting to Üzengili Yaylası, a high mountain plateau straddling the Trabzon and Bayburt provinces in Turkey. First things first: this isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking serious elevation. And the road? Completely unpaved. If you get queasy on narrow mountain roads with serious drop-offs, seriously reconsider this one. So, how long is this adventure? The road stretches from Dikenli Dagi (in Trabzon Province) to Erzurum Province (in Bayburt Province). Important note: Mother Nature calls the shots here. You can only tackle this route from roughly June to late October. Winter? Forget about it.