Col de Mens

Col de Mens

France, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

1,111 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, listen up! If you find yourself in southeastern France, you absolutely HAVE to check out the Col de Mens. We're talking a sweet mountain pass in the Isère department, clocking in at 1,111 meters (that's 3,645 feet for you imperial system fans!).

The road, known as the D216, winds its way between Mens (to the north) and Tréminis (to the south). Now, be warned, this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The asphalt is there, sure, but it's narrow and those inclines? Prepare for some serious steepness.

Keep an eye on the seasons, too. This beauty usually shuts down in the winter, often not reopening until late May. So, plan accordingly. But trust me, the views are totally worth the effort. Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
1,111 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Silvretta High Alpine Road is the Dream Road of the Alpsmoderate

Silvretta High Alpine Road is the Dream Road of the Alps

🇦🇹 Austria

# Silvretta Hochalpenstraße: Austria's Alpine Dream Drive If you're looking for one of the most jaw-dropping scenic drives in the Austrian Alps, the Silvretta Hochalpenstraße is basically the stuff of road trip dreams. This legendary 22.3 km route is famous for a reason—it's absolutely stunning. The road winds its way through the Silvretta Alps from Partenen in Montafon (starting at 1,051m) all the way up to the Bielerhöhe summit at a whopping 2,071 meters, then descends into Galtür. You'll navigate 34 hairpin bends that switchback through the landscape like a perfectly drawn spiral. With gradients of 10-12% (dropping to 5% on the hairpin sections), this isn't a leisurely cruise—it's an exhilarating ride. The crown jewel? Piz Buin Peak looming at 3,312 meters, the highest mountain in Tirol's Silvretta Range. Your best photo ops? Snap away between hairpin bends 22 and 23. Around 400,000 visitors tackle this road annually, and it's easy to see why. **Planning your visit:** The road is fully paved and open June through October (weather permitting), so timing matters. You'll need to pay a toll at either entrance, and heads up—trailers aren't allowed, there's a night parking ban, and tour buses are capped at 13.8 meters. Keep it to 70 km/h and expect regular speed checks. Once you hit Bielerhöhe, you'll find restaurants and walking trails around the alpine lake, plus a hydroelectric dam adding to the dramatic landscape. Whether you're seeking mountain views, hiking adventures, or just want to test your driving skills on one of Europe's most thrilling roads, this is it.

Driving the Scenic Road 832 Through Vadlaheidi Pass in North Icelandhard

Driving the Scenic Road 832 Through Vadlaheidi Pass in North Iceland

🇮🇸 Iceland

Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Just a stone's throw from Akureyri, hugging the east coast of the stunning Eyjafjörður fjord in northern Iceland, you'll find the wild Vaðlaheiði mountain pass. This bad boy tops out at 544 meters (that's 1,784 feet!), making it one of the loftiest drives Iceland has to offer. Forget pavement, because Road 832 (aka Vaðlaheiðarvegur) is all about that rugged, unadulterated off-road experience. This 19-kilometer (11.8-mile) stretch connects Road 833 and Road 828, serving up insane mountain vistas and river scenery. Photographers, get ready to max out your memory cards! Now, heads up: the Ring Road takes the easy way out through a tunnel, but where's the fun in that? This pass throws down a gauntlet with 14 hairpin turns, seriously steep grades, and even a cheeky little stream crossing with no bridge! Summer is your only window for this adventure. While you *might* get away with a 2WD in perfect conditions, this is 4x4 territory, folks. And even then, keep it under 5 tons. If you're not a fan of mountain driving, maybe stick to the Ring Road. But if you're itching for a raw, unforgettable Icelandic experience, Vaðlaheiði is calling your name!

How to drive the dangerous Ibar Highway?hard

How to drive the dangerous Ibar Highway?

🌍 Serbia

Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers, because the Ibarska Magistrala, or Ibar Highway, is a wild ride connecting Belgrade to western Serbia and Montenegro! Locals sometimes call it the "Black Highway," which should give you a hint about what's in store. Following the path of the Ibar River, this 297 km (185 mile) stretch takes you from Belgrade all the way to the Špiljani border with Montenegro. It's part of the big-league European routes E65, E80, and E763, so expect some company along the way. While the whole route is paved, don't expect smooth sailing everywhere. The parts near cities are generally okay, but things can get a little rough in the countryside, especially after some bad weather rolls through. Trust me, you'll want to stick to daytime driving here – night trips are not recommended due to the tricky road conditions. Most of the highway is single-lane and it gets seriously crowded. In the southern section, you'll have the beautiful Ibar River as your constant companion. Now, for a word of caution: this road sees its fair share of accidents every year. Sadly, between 2017 and 2019, there were over 1,700 accidents, with some resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. So, stay alert, drive carefully, and enjoy the (sometimes hair-raising) adventure!

Transalpina (DN67C)difficult

Transalpina (DN67C)

🇷🇴 Romania

# The Transalpina: Romania's Hidden Mountain Gem Forget everything you know about Romania's mountain roads—the Transalpina is about to become your new obsession. This 146-kilometer beast of a highway cuts straight through the Southern Carpathians, hitting a jaw-dropping 2,145 meters at the Urdele Pass, making it the highest paved road in the entire country. Sure, the Transfagarasan gets all the Instagram fame, but trust us: the Transalpina is where you'll find the real magic. Stretching between the charming town of Novaci in Gorj County and Sebes in Alba County, this route winds through the Parang Mountains and Sureanu range like it was designed specifically to make your heart race. The story behind it? It was originally carved out by German forces during World War II as a military route, then basically forgotten until a major facelift completely rebuilt and paved the entire road by 2012. What makes driving here absolutely surreal is how the scenery constantly shifts beneath you. Dense beech forests give way to stunning alpine meadows, which then transform into otherworldly rocky terrain above the tree line. Around almost every bend, you'll spot shepherds and their incredibly loyal guardian dogs tending to flocks, and there are traditional sheepfolds dotting the landscape where you can pull over and grab some seriously delicious fresh cheese straight from the source.