Col de la Joux Verte
France, europe
13.3 km
1,760 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps on the D338, headed for the Col de la Joux Verte. This baby climbs to a cool 1,760 meters (5,774 feet) above sea level!
The road is paved, thankfully, but hold on tight – it gets pretty steep in places, hitting gradients of up to 12.1%. This pass has even seen the Tour de France whiz by! It's nestled south of Lake Leman and while it might be overshadowed by the Avoriaz ski station at the top and Morzine on the other side, it's a gem.
You've got a few ways to tackle this climb. From Montriond, it's a 13.3 km ride with 782 meters of elevation gain (averaging 5.8%). If you're coming from the D 902, prepare for a 15.2 km journey, gaining 876 meters, again at 5.8% average. Or, start in Morzine for a 12.5 km climb, racking up 800 meters of elevation at a 6.4% average. Whichever way you choose, get ready for some stunning Alpine views!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,760 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Col de Finiels?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: the Col de Finiels, perched way up in the Lozère département of France at a cool 1,541m (5,055ft) above sea level! You'll find it nestled in the southern part of the country, with a handy parking lot waiting at the summit. The road, known as the D20, is a fully paved beauty that stretches for 21.7 km (13.48 miles) between Le Bleymard and Pont-de-Montvert-Sud-Mont-Lozère. Heads up though, it's got some seriously steep sections! If you're coming from Le Bleymard, get ready for a 10.4 km climb, gaining 472 meters at an average of 4.5%. Starting from Le Pont de Montvert? Buckle up for an 11.6 km ascent, with a whopping 666 meters of elevation gain at a slightly steeper average of 5.7%. Trust me, the views are SO worth it!
hard1. The M40 Corridor: From Central London to Warwick
🇬🇧 England
Okay, picture this: escaping London. Sounds dreamy, right? But first, you gotta navigate the beast. We're talking Congestion Charge zones, ULEZ nightmares, and orbital motorways that seem to stretch on forever. Don't worry, I've got the insider scoop to get you outta town and onto those epic driving roads in the Midlands and the North. First up, the M40 corridor toward Warwick. Think of Warwick Castle, built by William the Conqueror back in 1066. For us drivers, it's a signal—the urban sprawl is finally fading! The M40 is your ticket to the winding Cotswolds roads, avoiding the M1's truck-heavy traffic. Now, about tackling Central London... The London Eye area is a total sensory overload. Ancient streets and pedestrian zones make it a real challenge. Make sure your ride is ULEZ-compliant, or you'll be slapped with a fine. Headed towards the Peak District? The M1 is your friend. Just be prepared for some serious lane merging and high-speed trucks near the M1/M25 interchange. Stay sharp! Finally, those river crossings! The Tower Bridge and Dartford Crossing are vital escape routes. A closure can ruin your weekend, forcing you onto those dark, twisty rural roads. So, plan ahead, check for delays, and get ready to trade city lights for stunning landscapes!
moderateDriving the legendary Grossglockner High Alpine Road in the Alps
🇦🇹 Austria
# The Großglockner-Hochalpenstraße: Alpine Magic at Its Finest Ready for one of Europe's most breathtaking drives? The Großglockner High Alpine Road is a 48-kilometer masterpiece that'll have you hitting the brakes every few minutes just to soak in the views. This stunning route connects Salzburg and Carinthia, taking you deep into the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park and right to the doorstep of Austria's most iconic peak. ## The Route Starting in Fusch-Ferleiten and ending in Heiligenblut, this fully paved road winds through 36 hairpin bends like a ribbon threading through the mountains. You'll summit at the Hochtor Pass (2,504m), where the air gets thin and the panoramas get absolutely wild. But here's the kicker—take the side road up to Edelweißspitze at 2,571m, and you've hit the highest passable point on the entire route. ## What to Expect Count on about 90 minutes of driving if you actually manage not to stop (spoiler alert: you will). The landscape shifts from lush alpine pastures to dramatic rocky terrain, with views of countless mountain summits that'll leave you speechless. The road's open from early May through late October, though weather can sometimes force closures during those shoulder months, so check ahead before you go. ## Worth the Trip Nearly 900,000 visitors tackle this road annually—and for good reason. Along the way, you'll find restaurants, snack bars, and exhibitions to break up the drive. The road even has its own legendary status, having featured in the famous Giro d'Italia bike race. Fun fact: This route follows paths that people have walked for almost 2,000 years. The road itself took five years and 4,000 workers to build (1930-1935), and it opened to the public on August 3rd, 1935. Now that's heritage you can drive.
moderateGermany’s 4 Most Beautiful Scenic Drives
🇩🇪 Germany
# Germany's Most Magical Road Trips Ready for an epic German road adventure? Trust us—this country is basically built for road trips. Picture-perfect vineyards, dramatic mountains, charming meadows, and fairy-tale castles everywhere you look. Plus, the roads connecting them all are absolutely fantastic, making every drive feel like part of the experience itself. ## The Romantic Road – Pure Magic The Romantic Road (Romantische Strasse) lives up to its name and then some. Stretching 400 kilometers, this iconic drive takes you through the heart of German culture, history, and nature. The landscape keeps changing around every bend, which means you'll never get bored. You'll start in Würzburg and hit some seriously picturesque stops like the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Augsburg, and Dinkelsbühl. Throw in a visit to the legendary Neuschwanstein Castle—honestly, it's worth the detour. ## The Castle Road – A 70-Castle Dream If you're obsessed with castles, the Castle Road is basically your heaven. This epic 1,200-kilometer route is practically drenched in fairytale vibes and legend. Starting from Mannheim, you'll encounter incredible landscapes and seriously impressive architecture the entire way. Stop at the stunning castles in Bamberg, Nuremberg, Bayreuth, and Heidelberg, plus don't miss Rothenburg ob der Tauber again—it's that good. Best part? There are about 70 castles total along this route, so you could spend weeks exploring. ## The Wine Route – Sun and Sips The Wine Route (Weinstrasse) is a sun-soaked 85-kilometer paradise running from the French border at Schweigen-Rechtenbach to Bockenheim. This is wine-lover territory: expect wine festivals, tastings, and seriously delicious Rhineland-Palatinate food. The drive itself is gorgeous too, with rolling vineyards and cherry blossoms creating the perfect Instagram backdrop. ## The Fairy Tale Route – Family Adventure This 600-kilometer journey from Hanau to Bremen is perfect if you're traveling with kids (or you never grew up). You'll follow in the footsteps of the Grimm Brothers, visiting their hometowns, inspiration spots, and real locations from their famous stories—including Snow White's actual hometown and the legendary Red Riding House. Picturesque towns, palaces, and castles dot the entire route.