How long is Les Grands Goulets road?
France, europe
1.7 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Les Grands Goulets, a legendary French road carved into the cliffs of the Drôme region in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Built way back in the mid-1800s, this 1.7 km (just over a mile) stretch of Route Départementale RD 518 clings dramatically to the mountainside, connecting Pont-en-Royans to the Vercors plateau.
What makes it so special? Imagine winding above the Vernaison river, with insane views of the Royans region unfolding before you. The rock face looms overhead as you enter a natural tunnel, with only slivers of light piercing through the mossy, damp interior. It's like driving into a cave!
Sadly, this epic route has been closed since 2005. They built the Tunnel des Grands-Goulets as a replacement, but the old road still exists as an emergency exit. Back in the day, it was a seriously daring drive, super narrow with blind curves, steep drops, and zero guardrails. Now, it's a deserted, unused, and sadly closed, even for hikers and cyclists. It was one of France's most famous "balcony roads," offering an unforgettable (and maybe slightly terrifying) experience.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 1.7 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
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