
Don’t glance down at your phone on Ravin de la Platte
France, europe
11 km
950 m
hard
Year-round
# Ravin de la Platte: Not for the Faint of Heart
Nestled in the Hautes-Alpes department of southeastern France, Ravin de la Platte sits at a breathtaking 1,853m elevation—and yes, we mean that literally. This is a place where vertigo becomes your worst enemy.
Starting from the charming town of La Roche-de-Rame (950m elevation), this unpaved 11km route descends into the Lauzet valley in a way that'll make even experienced drivers question their life choices. The road features 25 hairpin turns that demand serious concentration and nerves of steel. With an average gradient of 8.2% and sections pushing 10%, you're dealing with some serious elevation changes on a track that's only 3 meters wide—with jaw-dropping drop-offs to keep things interesting.
The surface is slippery, the shoulders are nonexistent, and heavy log trucks regularly barrel through here, making this a white-knuckle affair. This isn't a scenic drive where you can relax and enjoy the views—this is a test of skill and courage that's humbled plenty of confident drivers.
So unless you're a professional, completely insane, or paid to be here, you might want to admire the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region from somewhere a little less terrifying. Some roads demand respect, and Ravin de la Platte is definitely one of them.
Where is it?
Don’t glance down at your phone on Ravin de la Platte is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.8325, 1.9421
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 11 km
- Max Elevation
- 950 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.8325, 1.9421
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