Col de Vaumale
France, europe
11.64 km
1,202 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de Vaumale
Tucked away in the Var department of southeastern France's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, Col de Vaumale sits at a respectable 1,202 meters (3,943 feet) above sea level. This is one of those passes that rewards you for the effort!
The D71 is your ticket up, and it's properly paved the whole way—though "steep" is definitely the operative word here. Starting from where the D957 and D19 intersect, you're looking at an 11.64 km climb that'll gain you 739 meters of elevation. The average gradient hovers around 6.3%, but don't be caught off guard by those sections that kick up to 9%—they'll definitely get your heart pumping.
The scenery in this corner of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur makes the work worthwhile though. Near the summit, you'll spot the Fort de Roche la Croix, adding a bit of historical intrigue to your mountain adventure. It's the kind of road that makes for a satisfying day out, whether you're tackling it by car or on two wheels.
Where is it?
Col de Vaumale is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.4358, 2.6435
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 11.64 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,202 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.4358, 2.6435
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhat is the MP-203?
🇪🇸 Spain
Have you ever heard of ? These are large projects that were planned for a specific purpose, cost a lot of money, but for some reason never saw use. In Madrid, one of these abandoned works exists: the , a ghost highway where The MP-203, now renamed , was designed as a new highway connecting . Construction began in with the ambitious goal of easing congestion on the A-2, one of Madrid’s busiest access roads. The project stretched for 12.5 kilometers of perfectly paved asphalt , yet to this day it remains almost entirely unused. Only cyclists and locals jogging occasionally traverse its empty lanes. Why is the MP-203 abandoned? but never fulfilled its intended function. Construction stopped abruptly in , only two years after starting. According to the Ecologist Association of Jarama , the MP-203 is an example of “ mismanagement of territory by the Community of Madrid ,” and the road even lacked proper construction licenses. What has the MP-203 been used for? Despite being officially abandoned, the MP-203 has found other purposes. It has served as a , and even been a route for . For the residents of Alcalá de Henares, the road became a symbol of waste and inefficiency , a highway that was fully built but never used by vehicles. Is the MP-203 going to open? The regional government is now considering resurrecting the highway , connecting the A-2 with the R-3 and the M-50 to improve traffic flow. After nearly 20 years of abandonment , the ghost highway may finally see official traffic. Until then, it remains a unique curiosity and a reminder of Madrid’s forgotten infrastructure projects A wild steep road to Alto de Hazallanas in Andalusia Road trip guide: Conquering Collado El Lobo in Sierra Nevada Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeHow long is Carretera de las Presas?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, buckle up for the Carretera de las Presas (GC-605) on Gran Canaria! This mountain road in the southwest of the island is a real stunner, but definitely keeps you on your toes. Stretching for about 23 kilometers (14.5 miles), you'll climb from the little town of Pie de la Cuesta (325m above sea level) all the way up to Ayacata (1,304m), a cute village where you can grab a bite. That's almost a kilometer of vertical gain! The journey starts with an epic series of hairpin bends winding up the Mogan Valley, past ochre cliffs and massive boulders. Expect a challenging drive. The pavement can be a bit rough in spots, especially the last 8 kilometers, and some sections are so narrow that passing another car can be tricky. We're talking 30+ hairpin turns, with gradients hitting 10% in places. This route takes you straight to the mysterious Las Niñas reservoir, one of the island's largest. Legend has it that a nearby, ancient pine tree witnessed a woman being burned to death centuries ago. Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! The scenery is incredible. However, be aware that this route is prone to landslides, rockfalls, and fog. Keep an eye out for viewpoints with parking spots along the way, but remember it can get very cold and windy up there!
moderateWhen was the Monte Cengio military road built?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: You're hiking in Italy's Veneto region, high above the Val d'Astico, tracing the steps of soldiers from World War I. This isn't just any trail; it's the Mulattiera di Arroccamento al Monte Cengio, a mind-blowing military mule track carved into the cliffs! Built between 1917 and 1918, this 4 km path, nicknamed the "Granatiera," hugs the mountain's southwest flank. Forget cars – this is strictly a hiking adventure. You'll be blown away by the engineering: tunnels bored straight into the rock (the main one's 187 meters long!), all designed to shield troops from enemy fire. Starting near Piazzale Principe di Piemonte, you'll gain about 150 meters in elevation. While you won't be driving on this section, you can get close by car on nearby roads. As you walk, you'll pass trenches, artillery positions, and the infamous Salto del Granatiere. The views? Unreal. Think sweeping panoramas of the Astico Valley and the plains stretching out below. This is where history and stunning Alpine scenery collide. A definite must-see for any history buff or hiking enthusiast!
hardAn Awe-Inspiring Paved Road to Costalunga Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo di Costalunga: A Alpine Adventure in South Tyrol Ready for some serious mountain scenery? Head to Passo di Costalunga (also called Karerpass) in Italy's South Tyrol region, sitting pretty at 1,745m (5,725ft) above sea level. This isn't your typical pointy peak—the summit spreads out like a plateau, which means you get almost a full 360° view of some seriously impressive mountains: the Ortler, the Cevedale massif, and the Adige Valley stretching below. The 23km (14-mile) route runs west-east from Ponte Nova to Vigo di Fassa, and while it's fully paved and well-maintained, don't let that fool you. This is a legit driving challenge with narrow sections, countless hairpin turns, and steep slopes that hit gradients up to 11%—demanding enough that it's been featured in the Giro d'Italia cycling race. At the summit, you'll find everything you need to break up the drive: cozy hotels, restaurants serving up authentic Alpine fare, souvenir shops, and even a farmer renting horses if you fancy a different kind of adventure. Whether you're a seasoned mountain driver or just looking for stunning views with a side of adrenaline, Passo di Costalunga delivers both in spades.