
Col de Pierre Plate: The Road That Has It All!
France, europe
44.8 km
1,027 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de Pierre Plate
Ready for a seriously scenic road trip? Col de Pierre Plate is a mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,027m (3,369ft) in France's Lozère department, nestled right in the heart of the Occitania region and the stunning Cévennes National Park.
The D916 is a fully paved route that'll keep you on your toes—this isn't your straightforward highway. You're looking at a 44.8km (27.83 miles) stretch that weaves west to east between the village of Les Vignes and Florac, and trust us, every kilometer is an adventure. The road is delightfully twisty with nine hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills, plus some genuinely narrow sections where two cars simply can't pass each other. There are a few cliffsides to keep you humble, and the steepest sections climb up to 9.0%.
If you're coming from Florac, expect a 5.8km ascent that packs 470 meters of elevation gain into its length, averaging a solid 8.09% gradient. Those steep sections aren't messing around, but the fully paved road means you'll have decent grip as you navigate the switchbacks and curves.
This is the kind of road that rewards careful driving and rewards it well—the views through the Cévennes are absolutely worth every twist and turn. Just take it slow, stay focused, and enjoy one of France's most exhilarating mountain drives.
Where is it?
Col de Pierre Plate: The Road That Has It All! is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.2979, 3.8692
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 44.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,027 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.2979, 3.8692
Related Roads in europe
moderateThe historic paved road to Brocon Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
Passo Brocon is this incredible high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,616m (5,302ft) in the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol in northern Italy. Nestled in the stunning Dolomites, it's the scenic connector between the Vanoi valley and the Tesino plateau – and yeah, there's actually a restaurant and hotel right at the summit, which is pretty handy! The pass has some serious history too. During both world wars, it was a major strategic location, and the road itself was carved out between 1905 and 1908. Pretty impressive engineering for the time! Now, here's the fun part: the 27.8 km (17.27 miles) drive from Castello Tesino to Ronco-Chiesa is completely paved (Strada Provinciale 79, if you want to get technical), and it's absolutely gorgeous. Fair warning though – it gets narrow in spots and the gradient cranks up to a gnarly 15.2% on some of the steeper sections. But those views? Totally worth navigating the twisty bits. This is exactly the kind of Alpine road trip that'll have you pulling over constantly just to snap photos.
moderateRiksvegen Old Road is a unique piece of engineering along Eidfjord Lake
🇳🇴 Norway
# Riksvegen Old Road: A Hidden Gem in Norway's Fjord Country Nestled in Vestland county's Eidfjord municipality, the Riksvegen Old Road is a nostalgic slice of Norwegian engineering history that's perfect for those who prefer a slower pace. This charming 2.3 km (1.42 miles) stretch hugs the western shore of Eidfjordvatnet, treating you to absolutely stunning lake views at every turn. Here's the cool part: this road is now exclusively for bicycles and pedestrians—no cars allowed. Back in the day, it was the main route, complete with a tunnel that King Oscar II himself opened. You can still spot that historic tunnel today, a testament to the road's bygone era as a motorway. The entire route is paved and manageable, making it ideal for a leisurely bike ride or scenic walk. That said, keep your eyes peeled for the occasional rockslide, which is a real hazard in this mountainous region. It's a small price to pay for the experience, honestly. So what happened to all the traffic? In stepped the Eidfjordtunnelen, a modern tunnel that's part of Norway's National Road 7 (Rv7). The new route is wider, faster, and comes loaded with multiple tunnels—perfect for those in a hurry. But if you're anything like us, you'll skip the highway and stick to this beautifully preserved old road for an authentic Norwegian adventure.
hardMont Bas
🇫🇷 France
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Mont Bas in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France, is calling your name – if you're ready for an *adventure*. This peak hits an elevation of 2,297m (7,536ft), and getting there is no Sunday drive. We're talking rocky, gravelly terrain up in the Alpes du sud. Picture this: a super steep slope of loose stones that just gets wilder as you climb. Honestly, it's more like a chairlift access trail than a road. You've only got a tiny window at the end of August to even attempt it, and be warned: the wind is a constant companion at these altitudes. Think ski-station service road-steep, with some sections clocking in at a crazy 30% grade! Winter? Forget about it – brutally cold. But hey, if you're after incredible views and bragging rights, Mont Bas might just be your ultimate conquest.
hardDriving the wild FV475 road
🇳🇴 Norway
# FV475: Norway's Hidden Coastal Gem Tucked away in Nordland county in Northern Norway, FV475 is a stunning 12km (7.45 miles) stretch that hugs the dramatic Norwegian Sea coastline. This is the kind of road that makes you want to pull over every few minutes to snap photos. Starting where it branches off from FV17, the route curves south-northeast toward the charming village of Valle and the picture-perfect Forstranda beach. Fair warning though—don't expect a perfectly paved highway. Most of this drive is unpaved gravel, with only about 4.4km of asphalt to smooth things out. The real adventure? A gnarly 1.1km tunnel that cuts through the landscape. It's narrow, mostly unlit, and definitely demands your full attention. Bring a headlight and take it slow. But honestly? That's what makes it special. This isn't a sanitized, tourist-friendly route—it's raw, rugged, and authentically Norwegian. The reward for navigating those rough patches and that moody tunnel is some genuinely spectacular scenery. If you're after a road less traveled that actually delivers on the views, FV475 is worth the detour.