How long is Gorge du Cians?
France, europe
21.7 km
1,600 m
hard
Year-round
Gorge du Cians is a very scenic canyon with stunning red rocks located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It’s
one of the French balcony roads
How long is Gorge du Cians?
The road through the gorges is totally paved. It’s called D28. The drive is
21.7 km (13.48 miles) long,
running north-south from Beuil to Touët-sur-Var. The deep gorge carved through the mountains by the River Cians is made all the more spectacular by the deep red of the exposed rock. The river descends 1,600 m (5,250 ft) in just 25 km (15 miles) between the villages of Beuil and Touet-sur-Var. The narrowest and most spectacular part of the canyon is at Pra d’Astier, just in the middle of the two villages.
How long does it take to drive Gorge du Cians?
Tucked away on the southeastern part of the country,
plan about 30 minutes to complete the drive
without any stop. This road is one of the most famous balcony roads in France. A balcony road is a hair-raising lane cut into the sides of sheer cliffs. Located to the east of
, a circuit linking both gorges makes an excellent day out, passing through tunnels, past ravines and waterfalls cut into the stunning red rock.
Is the road through Gorge du Cians difficult?
improved in the past to avoid the extremely tight passages and to improve traffic up to Beuil and Valberg
as these villages are in winter very famous ski regions. To enable this, lots of tunnels have been dug and the famous and tight parts of the old road (
Passage de la Petite Clue
Passage de la Grande Clue
) have been blocked. In year 2013 it was still possible to circumvent the roadblocks and visit these famous sections with a motorbike. Partly you had to unmount the sidecases of your motorbike – but it was still possible. These sections are not maintained anymore and now it’s simply dangerous for life to try to drive there. Partly just half a meter of the street has remained and the rest crashed into the gorges. Also,
the splinters of the red rocks on the street could very soon kill your tires as they are sharp like knifes.
The authorities have now blocked these sections in a way that its really impossible to drive there even with a bicycle.
A wild balcony road through Gorges de Galamus in France
Col de l'Iseran is the King of the Alps
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.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 21.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,600 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardCrete de la Balme
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Crete de la Balme in the French Alps is calling your name. We're talking a serious altitude gain here, topping out at 2,570 meters! This isn't your Sunday drive; it's a proper mountain pass trail in the Hautes-Alpes. Forget smooth tarmac – this is a gravel, rocky, and bumpy ride. The track climbs through the Massif des Cerces range, so be prepared for a wild ride. Think challenging single tracks with steep drops, and exposure that'll test your nerve. Definitely a no-go zone in winter – snow typically shuts it down from October through June. A 4x4 is an absolute must here, plus a healthy dose of off-road driving skills. The views? Epic, but maybe not one for the faint of heart! This old military road will take you on a breathtaking journey towards the Vallon de Savine.
moderateA narrow road through the Dambovicioara Gorges
🇷🇴 Romania
Get ready for some serious natural beauty! Up in Romania's Argeș County, you'll find Cheile Dâmbovicioarei, a mind-blowing canyon carved by the Dâmbovicioara River. Nestled in the Piatra Craiului Mountains, inside the National Park, this spot is a karst wonderland. We're talking about the southern side of the mountains, right along the Dâmbovicioara Valley. Picture this: a 5 km stretch of road (730) hugging the river, with cliffs towering hundreds of meters straight up. Seriously impressive! The Dâmbovicioara River, usually just a meter or two wide, has sculpted this incredible place. Watch out for changes in water flow, though, especially during spring melts! The road is fully paved running from Podu Dâmboviței to Dâmbovicioara, so you can cruise through in about 10 minutes, but keep an eye out for potential rock slides. Expect to be wowed by Jurassic limestone bedding that lines the walls. Nature lovers will be in heaven with the pristine air, crystal-clear water, and maybe even a glimpse of some deer. And don't miss the Dambovicioara Cave, discovered way back in 1579! It’s been lit up since 1980, so you can really explore its depths.
extremeWhere is Pico Cervín?
🇪🇸 Spain
Deep in the Ribagorza county of Huesca, Spain, lies Pico Cervín (or Tozal de la Rasa, as the locals call it), a mountain peak that's a real beast for off-roaders. This summit in the Aragon region isn't just any climb; it's a relentless ascent over seriously rugged terrain. Nestled in the Cervín mountain range, this natural lookout gives you world-class panoramic views over the central Pyrenees, including views you won't forget. Perched up high, it's also a key spot for communication towers. Forget smooth tarmac – this road is unpaved. It's steep and the surface is a mix of loose gravel and hard-packed mountain soil. It’s maintained for the towers up top, but that doesn’t make it easy. The track's narrow, with exposed edges, so if heights aren't your thing, steer clear! Starting from the A-1605 road, the journey to the summit is just under 10 kilometers (around 6 miles). But don't let the distance fool you; you'll gain over 800 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of over 9%! There are hardly any flat spots to give your engine a break, so make sure that cooling system is in top shape. Traction is a constant battle, especially on the steeper sections where you need smooth throttle control. Heads up: this road is often impassable in winter after heavy snow. Even at 1,620 meters, snow and ice can stick around in the shady spots for weeks. Wet conditions can turn the dirt into a muddy trap, so the best time to tackle this route is late spring, summer, or early autumn. Always check the local weather for the Huesca Pyrenees, and pack recovery gear, because you’re pretty isolated up in the Cervín range.
moderateTake the Scenic Route and Discover Valdresflye
🇳🇴 Norway
# Valdresflye: Norway's Alpine Adventure Nestled in the easternmost reaches of Jotunheimen, Valdresflye stands as one of Norway's highest mountain passes at a breathtaking 1,393 meters (4,570 feet). This fully paved route, officially known as the National Tourist Route Valdresflye or Fylkesvei 51, stretches for an impressive 49 kilometers (30.44 miles) from Garli near Beitostølen all the way to Besstrondsæter in Vågå. What makes this mountain plateau drive so special? The journey itself is fairly straightforward—the road is mostly well-maintained, though you'll hit some narrow sections that keep things interesting. The real drama comes from the weather and timing. The pass typically opens in early May and stays accessible well into November, though winter can shut it down unexpectedly when snow decides to reclaim the mountain. Here's the thing about driving up here: conditions can shift faster than you can say "Norse mythology." The weather at the plateau is notoriously unpredictable, so come prepared and keep your wits about you. But if you're chasing that perfect combination of stunning alpine scenery, genuine mountain driving, and the satisfaction of conquering one of Scandinavia's highest roads, Valdresflye absolutely delivers. It's the kind of route that reminds you why Norway's landscapes capture hearts (and camera rolls) worldwide.