Corne de Sorebois

Corne de Sorebois

Switzerland, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,879 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Corne de Sorebois: A Summer Alpine Adventure

Perched at a breathtaking 2,879 meters (9,445 feet) in Switzerland's Valais region, Corne de Sorebois is one of the country's most extreme mountain roads. This chairlift access trail winds through the stunning Swiss Pennine Alps with rocky, gravel terrain that'll test your nerve and your vehicle's suspension.

Fair warning: this isn't for the faint of heart. The gradient exceeds 30% in places, and it only gets gnarlier as you climb higher, with loose stones giving way to pure rock. Those upper sections? Absolutely relentless. The wind here is no joke either—it howls year-round and can be seriously powerful, even catching experienced drivers off guard.

Here's the kicker: you can really only tackle this in late August when conditions are semi-reasonable. Even then, don't be shocked if summer snow catches you. Winter? Forget about it—the temperatures are absolutely brutal, and the road becomes virtually impassable.

This is genuinely one of Switzerland's highest drivable routes, and it demands serious respect. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, this is your sign to skip it. But if you're a seasoned mountain driver craving an unforgettable alpine challenge, Corne de Sorebois delivers the goods.

Where is it?

Corne de Sorebois is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.5170, 8.5110

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Switzerland
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,879 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
46.5170, 8.5110

Related Roads in europe

How is the ascent to Paso del Reventón?hard

How is the ascent to Paso del Reventón?

🇪🇸 Spain

Alright, adventure time! Picture this: you're straddling the line between Segovia and Madrid, smack-dab in the heart of Spain. Specifically, the stunning Sierra de Guadarrama. You're about to tackle Paso del Reventón. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking 14 kilometers of pure, unadulterated off-road heaven (or hell, depending on your perspective). Starting near Puerto de Cotos, you'll climb nearly 800 meters. Don't let the average gradient fool you – the real kicker is the terrain. Think loose gravel, packed dirt that turns into a muddy slip-n-slide, and hairpin turns galore. High clearance is your BFF here. Heads up: winter turns this pass into a snow globe. We're talking deep snow from December to late March, potentially even later. Even when the snow melts, you might be dealing with some serious mud, so 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's practically mandatory. Keep an eye on the weather around Rascafría or La Granja – storms roll in quick. Hazards? Oh, we've got 'em. Steep drop-offs and a surface that loves to play tricks on you. Those 16 hairpin turns? They come with zero guardrails. The road's narrow, making passing a delightful game of chicken with oncoming traffic (or hikers). "Reventón" literally means "burst," which tells you something about the effort it takes! The biggest modern threat? Flat tires on the sharp rocks. Trust me, you'll want a good set of tires for this adventure. Pro Tip: there are zero services up here. Zip, zilch, nada. Fill up the tank before you leave the M-604 or those cute little towns nearby. Cell service? Spotty at best. And pack a spare tire and some recovery gear – this road isn't exactly well-maintained, and a good rainstorm can change everything in a heartbeat. Now get out there and explore!

When was Chew Reservoir built?hard

When was Chew Reservoir built?

🇬🇧 England

Okay, so you're heading to Chew Reservoir, nestled high in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham. This gem sits pretty at 1,600 feet above sea level, making it the highest reservoir built in the area. The road here is a real adventure, tracing the head of the Chew Valley. It was finished way back when, and the views today are still killer. You'll find yourself gazing over some seriously stunning scenery. Heads up: the road, known as Chew Road, is mostly paved, but there are some gravel sections to keep things interesting. It's also pretty narrow in places. Good news is it's closed to private cars, so you'll park at the bottom and enjoy a walk instead! The climb to the top is no joke, either. It's about 2.7 miles from the bottom to the top, with a steep elevation gain of 833 feet. That gives you an average gradient of 5.9%, so be prepared for a bit of a workout.

How to drive to Colle della Ciabra in Piedmont?extreme

How to drive to Colle della Ciabra in Piedmont?

🇮🇹 Italy

Colle della Ciabra is a high mountain pass sitting at 1,712m (5,616ft) in the Province of Cuneo, tucked into Piedmont's stunning landscape. This isn't your typical Alpine crossing—it's a lonely, grueling beast of a climb that marks the eastern entrance to the high alpine ridges. Nestled between the Varaita and Maira valleys in the Cottian Alps, the pass plays a starring role on the legendary Strada dei Cannoni (Varaita-Maira-Kammstraße). Once you summit, you're rewarded with sweeping views across the Piedmontese plains and the dramatic peaks surrounding you. Here's the real talk: yes, it's technically asphalt, but don't expect smooth sailing. The road surface is thin, weathered, and relentlessly bumpy—prepare for a serious bone-shaking ride whether you're behind the wheel or on your bike. Coming up from Brossasco in the Varaita Valley is the most popular (and genuinely punishing) approach. If you're craving solitude and authentic, no-frills mountain roads, Ciabra is absolutely calling your name. Unlike the Instagram-famous Alpine passes packed with tour buses, this one delivers pure wilderness vibes. For cyclists and off-road enthusiasts, it's the ultimate gateway—that final threshold before you transition into the high-altitude gravel world where military roads take over. This is mountain biking and driving in its rawest form.

Where is the Lysevegen road?hard

Where is the Lysevegen road?

🇳🇴 Norway

Cruising through southwestern Norway? You HAVE to check out Lysevegen! This road is a total rollercoaster through the mountains of Rogaland and Vest Agder. Think 27 hairpin turns, people! And get this – there's this crazy narrow tunnel where only one car can pass at a time. Lysevegen (aka FV500) straddles the border of Agder and Rogaland counties. This insane stretch of road officially opened in 1984, built originally to help with the Tjodan hydroelectric power station. Back then, boats were the only way to get in and out of Lysebotn! The first road was carved INSIDE the mountain back in the 50s and 60s to get rid of all the rock. The road clocks in at around 32.6 km (20.25 miles), all paved. It kicks off from Fv450 and plunges down to Lysebotn, a tiny, super-remote village chilling at the end of Lysefjorden. Heads up though – this isn't a Sunday drive! Lysevegen climbs to 932m (3,057ft) above sea level at Andersvatn lake. It’s packed with hairpin bends, averaging a crazy 9.4% gradient, with some spots hitting 16%! Seriously, pay attention. Tight corners and reverse camber bends are your constant companions. And those 27 hairpin turns in a row? Epic! Two big reasons to tackle this road: hiking to Kjerag and catching a ferry through Lysefjord back to Stavanger. Oh, and did I mention the tunnel that does a 340-degree turn before spitting you out in Lysebotn? It can get super narrow, so be prepared to pull over and let other cars pass. This road is usually only open for about 5 months a year, so plan accordingly. It’s notorious for being misty. Usually, it opens in May and closes in October/November, but it all depends on the snow. Sometimes the snowplows are still working in late May, and you can see snow well into summer! Even in June, snow isn't uncommon.