Col de l'Arpettaz: If you like hairpin turns, this is the road for you
France, europe
27.4 km
1,581 m
moderate
Year-round
# Col de l'Arpettaz
Tucked away in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Col de l'Arpettaz sits at 1,581 meters (5,187 feet) and offers one seriously epic driving experience. This hidden gem connects Ugine to Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe across 27.4 kilometers of pure mountain magic.
Fair warning: the asphalt here is a bit rough around the edges, but that only adds to the adventure. What really makes this pass special? Over 60 hairpin turns that'll keep you grinning the whole way up. Seriously—if you're a hairpin enthusiast, this is basically the climb of your dreams. You'll navigate through charming alpine farms and lush deciduous forest on what feels like a secret, barely-traveled road.
Pack your patience for some steep sections hitting 11% gradient, but the quiet road and stunning scenery make every twist and turn worth it. Once you reach the summit, the Refuge Auberge du Col de l'Arpettaz is right there waiting—the perfect spot to catch your breath and soak in those Rhône-Alpes views. This is mountain driving at its most rewarding.
Where is it?
Col de l'Arpettaz: If you like hairpin turns, this is the road for you is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.6779, 2.4047
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 27.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,581 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 46.6779, 2.4047
Related Roads in europe
hardTravelling through the Demirkapı-Ballıköy road
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventurers, listen up! I just tackled the Demirkapı-Ballıköy road, straddling the border of Trabzon and Rize in Turkey’s Black Sea region, and WOW. This isn't just a road; it's an *experience*. We're talking seriously high elevation here – peaking at a cool 9,603 feet! The entire 11.86 miles is pure, unadulterated, unpaved mountain track. Think steep climbs, hairpin turns, and sections so narrow you'll be holding your breath. Seriously, you absolutely NEED a 4x4 for this one. And plan your trip for summer, folks, because winter closes this baby down faster than you can say "mountain pass." Starting near Demirkapı, a tiny mountain town in Trabzon, you'll wind your way east toward Ballıköy, a remote village tucked away in the Rize Province. Expect incredible scenery, but also a serious dose of isolation. This is a road for those who truly want to get off the grid and into the heart of the Turkish mountains!
moderateZekari Pass: Ultimate 4wd destination
🇬🇪 Georgia
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for Zekari Pass in Georgia! This wild ride straddles the Imereti and Samtskhe-Javakheti regions, hitting a lofty 7,076 feet above sea level. Forget smooth asphalt – this is a 24.35-mile rollercoaster of a dirt track winding from Sairme in the north to Abastumani, the old Soviet sanatorium area, down south. We're talking SH14, folks! Seriously, you'll want a proper off-road vehicle for this one. The road is rough, like REALLY rough, and heavy rain can turn it into a mud bath. Allow 2-3 hours to crawl your way through. Keep an eye out for the Georgian Academy of Sciences observatory near the pass, a relic from the USSR days. You can even hitch a ride up via cable car (hit them up to register first). Expect shepherd camps dotting the landscape as you weave through the Meskheti Range. Word to the wise: this route is usually snowed in from October to June, weather depending. But when it's open? Prepare for some amazing mountain vistas and seriously epic off-roading. The highest point is actually *north* of the pass itself, peaking at 7,463ft.
hardPico de las Tres Güegas
🇪🇸 Spain
# Pico de las Tres Güegas Ready for a proper adventure? This stunning peak sits at 2,240m (7,349ft) in the Huesca province of Aragón, right up in the Spanish Pyrenees near the French border—basically as high and remote as it gets in northeast Spain. The route to the summit is basically a chairlift access trail that'll test your mettle. Expect rocky, gravel terrain with a seriously steep slope, loose stones underfoot, and things getting progressively gnarlier and rockier as you climb higher. That ski-station service road? Yeah, some sections hit 30% grades—no joke. Here's the thing: you've got a pretty narrow window to attempt this one. Late August is basically your sweet spot for decent conditions. The Pyrenees are famous for relentless winds year-round, so brace yourself regardless of when you go. Even in summer, snow can catch you off guard. Winter? Brutally, painfully cold. We're talking serious frostbite territory. This isn't a casual stroll—it's a proper mountain mission that demands respect, solid preparation, and honestly, a bit of nerve. But if you're up for it, the views and the accomplishment are absolutely worth it.
hardFronza alle Coronelle Refuge
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Rifugio Fronza alle Coronelle – or Kölner Hütte if you're feeling German – is calling your name! Perched way up in the Italian Dolomites at a lofty 2,341 meters (that's 7,680 feet!), this mountain refuge is an absolute must-see. Now, getting there is... an experience. Think gravel, rocks, and a whole lot of bumpiness. Seriously, this isn't a Sunday drive in the park. It's more like a chairlift trail repurposed as a road. And a steep one at that! Be warned: this route is typically snowed in from October until June, so plan accordingly. Also, if heights aren't your thing, maybe skip this one. But the views? Totally worth the white knuckles. Prepare for some seriously breathtaking scenery!