Driving the paved road to Col de Moissiere in the Hautes-Alpes

Driving the paved road to Col de Moissiere in the Hautes-Alpes

France, europe

Length

18.6 km

Elevation

1,575 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Col de Moissière

Tucked away in the Hautes-Alpes department of southeastern France, Col de Moissière sits pretty at 1,575 meters (5,167 feet) above sea level. This beauty is nestled in the Massif des Écrins within the stunning Alps, right in the heart of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

The 18.6-kilometer route (about 11.5 miles) stretches north to south, connecting Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes to La Bâtie-Neuve via the fully paved Route Départementale 213. Don't let the pavement fool you though—this road has some serious character. You'll encounter bumpy sections and tight curves that'll keep you on your toes, with gradients reaching a steep 14.6% in places that'll really test your legs (especially if you're cycling).

Despite the technical challenges, there's something magical about this route. It's peaceful, genuinely scenic, and perfect if you're looking for a challenging but rewarding bike ride through the Alps. The road demands respect and attention, but rewards you with mountain views that make every steep pedal stroke worthwhile.

Where is it?

Driving the paved road to Col de Moissiere in the Hautes-Alpes is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.7479, 2.2947

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
18.6 km
Max Elevation
1,575 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
45.7479, 2.2947

Related Roads in europe

Road trip guide: Conquering the Besurta Refugemoderate

Road trip guide: Conquering the Besurta Refuge

🇪🇸 Spain

# Refugio de la Besurta: A Hidden Gem in Spain's Pyrenees Tucked away in the Benasque Valley within the stunning Parc Natural de Pocets-Maladeta, Refugio de la Besurta sits pretty at 1,920m (6,299 ft) in the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees. This mountain refuge is absolutely worth the drive if you're exploring the Ribagorza region of Huesca in northern Spain. The road up from Benasque is totally paved, which is a win—but fair warning, it's narrow and winding, so expect a more intimate driving experience. Winter? That's a no-go. Snow and ice make this route impassable during the colder months, so plan your visit for warmer seasons. Starting from Benasque (sitting at a cozy 1,164m elevation), you're looking at a 15.4 km drive that climbs 756 meters. That might sound intense, but the average gradient of 4.9% keeps things relatively manageable. The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking—surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and pristine natural parkland. This is the kind of drive where every hairpin turn reveals another jaw-dropping vista. Perfect for anyone craving some serious Pyrenean adventure.

Experience the Thrills of R1: Montenegro's Scenic and Hairpinned Road from Cetinje to Kotorextreme

Experience the Thrills of R1: Montenegro's Scenic and Hairpinned Road from Cetinje to Kotor

🌍 Montenegro

# The Cetinje to Kotor Panoramic Road: Montenegro's Ultimate Hairpin Challenge If you're a driving enthusiast who lives for twisty roads, the R-1 regional road in southern Montenegro is basically your dream come true. Nestled near the Adriatic coast, this legendary 36.3 km (22.55 miles) stretch connects the culturally rich town of Cetinje with the charming coastal city of Kotor, and honestly? It's one of the most famous hairpin-laden routes on the planet. The entire drive is paved, taking you from Cetinje's historic fields at the base of Lovcen mountain down to Kotor's stunning medieval old town—a beautifully preserved gem built between the 12th and 14th centuries that overlooks one of Montenegro's most breathtaking bays. The road itself is steeped in history, following an ancient Roman caravan trail. What you're driving on today was carved out as a wagon route in the 1880s and officially built by the Austrians in 1897. Fair warning: this isn't a leisurely cruise. The road is predominantly narrow and single-lane, snaking through 30 hairpin turns with jaw-dropping views over Kotor. The tight switchbacks, combined with minimal barriers and jagged rock faces, mean you might occasionally need to reverse if a bus or construction vehicle comes your way—it's all part of the adventure. The star of the show is the Kotor Serpentine section: 8.3 km of pure adrenaline with 16 hairpin turns, climbing from 458m to 881m elevation. Plan about 1.3 hours for the full drive. You'll navigate steady grades with spectacular scenery, especially if you hit it during golden hour. It's so stunning that Top Gear and luxury car brands have featured it, and the views over Boka Bay are absolutely unreal.

When was the Slettnes lighthouse built?hard

When was the Slettnes lighthouse built?

🇳🇴 Norway

Cruising up to Slettnes Lighthouse in Finnmark, Norway, feels like driving to the edge of the world! Seriously, this is where Europe just…stops. The road starts in the cute village of Gamvik and winds its way 3.4 km (2.11 miles) north along the Nordkinn Peninsula to the lighthouse. The road itself is mostly gravel and can be a bit bumpy with some potholes, but don't worry, most cars can handle it. Just take it slow and enjoy the ride! Speaking of which, hold onto your hat – the wind up here can be fierce! The lighthouse, standing tall at 39 meters (128 ft), marks the northernmost point of mainland Europe, and the views are absolutely incredible. You're smack-dab between the Barents Sea and the Nordkyn mountains, with a rugged coastal plain stretching out around you. It's a photographer's dream! Once you arrive, you will find a carpark and a café. It's totally worth the drive, for the views of the ocean and surrounding landscape.

Where is Estrecho del Hocino?moderate

Where is Estrecho del Hocino?

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, picture this: you're in south-central Spain, specifically the western part of Albacete province. You're about to experience the Estrecho del Hocino, a seriously stunning canyon carved out by the Salobre River between the Hocino and Navaza hills. Forget your car for this one. The old Reolid-Salobre road, once a fully paved (but very narrow!) path hugging the canyon, is now closed to vehicles. A massive rockfall back in the 2010s saw to that. Now, it's strictly for hikers only, offering a truly immersive experience. This isn’t some super long trek; the road section through the canyon is only about . You'll be walking with the river on one side and the rising canyon walls on the other. While you can drive nearby on the , trust me, experiencing the Estrecho del Hocino on foot is the way to go.