How long is the road to Col de la Buffaz?

How long is the road to Col de la Buffaz?

France, europe

Length

6.4 km

Elevation

1,502 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Col de la Buffaz in the French Alps is calling your name! Nestled in the Haute-Savoie department, this mountain pass tops out at a cool 1,502 meters (that's 4,927 feet!).

The road? Well, it's an experience! Think mostly unpaved, so buckle up for a bumpy (but scenic!) ride. The first section is a real leg burner, seriously steep! Starting from Thônes, you're looking at a 6.4 km (almost 4 miles) climb. Don't let the distance fool you; you'll gain 900 meters in elevation, averaging a pretty intense 14% gradient.

So, is it worth the trek? Absolutely! At the summit, you'll find the Chalets de la Buffaz, a mountain hut with postcard-worthy views, especially of La Croix du Lachat. The path itself is gorgeous, winding through lush undergrowth before opening up to breathtaking alpine scenery. Get ready for a taste of real mountain life!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
6.4 km
Max Elevation
1,502 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Where is Col de la Boaire-Colle della Boaria?extreme

Where is Col de la Boaire-Colle della Boaria?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, picture this: Col de la Boaire-Colle della Boaria, straddling the border between France and Italy! You'll find it way up in the mountains, a lofty 2,102 meters (that's 6,896 feet!) above sea level, connecting the Queyras valley in France (Hautes-Alpes) with Pontechianale in Italy (Cuneo, Piedmont). This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. This road has serious history, originally built way back in the Middle Ages for salt transport, then beefed up for military use, especially during World War II. Heads up: the whole thing is unpaved. Seriously. It can get pretty rough around the pass, so take it slow (think 20km/h slow!) and be prepared for a bumpy ride. Definitely not recommended in a regular car! And plan your trip carefully, because this route is usually closed from November 1st to March 31st. Snow and avalanches are real dangers up here, and icy patches can appear out of nowhere. But if you're up for the adventure, you won't regret it. This wild, winding dirt road clinging to the ridges of the Maritime Alps offers absolutely incredible views of both the sea and the mountains. The landscape is raw and stunning – a truly unforgettable experience!

Crossing the scenic Puente del Embalse de la Peñamoderate

Crossing the scenic Puente del Embalse de la Peña

🇪🇸 Spain

# Puente del Embalse de la Peña Okay, so picture this: you're cruising through Aragon in northeastern Spain, and you stumble upon one of those bridges that makes you actually pull over to soak it all in. Welcome to Puente del Embalse de la Peña. This stunning iron bridge stretches nearly 192 meters (that's about 630 feet) across the shimmering Peña reservoir, and it's honestly one of those views that reminds you why road trips exist. Built way back in 1913, this beauty connects the sleepy villages of Santa María de la Peña and Murillo de Gállego via the A-132 road. Here's the thing though—this isn't your typical highway bridge. It's narrow. Like, *really* narrow. Only one vehicle can cross at a time, so if you meet someone coming the other way, someone's backing up. But that's half the charm, right? It forces you to slow down and actually appreciate where you are. And the scenery? Absolutely unreal. You're basically driving through the Pre-Pyrenees with this dramatic mountain landscape sprawling out in every direction. The road is paved and well-maintained, but that single-lane setup means you need to stay alert and take your time. This is the kind of drive that ends up in your travel diary as one of those unforgettable moments—where engineering meets nature in the most spectacular way possible.

Col de Meahard

Col de Mea

🇫🇷 France

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Col de Mea in the Hautes-Alpes of southeastern France is calling your name. This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a wild climb up to 2,486m (8,156ft) in the Massif des Cerces range. Think rugged – gravel, rocks, and a bumpy ride that'll test your skills. This isn't for the faint of heart; you'll need a 4x4 and some serious off-road experience. The path, sometimes more of a chairlift access trail than a road, gets pretty steep, and some of those single-track traverses have serious drop-offs. Not great if you're afraid of heights! Keep in mind, this area is usually snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. But if you're up for a challenge and crave incredible views, Col de Mea might just become your new favorite adrenaline rush.

A Wild, Defiant Unpaved Road to Hohsaas in the Swiss Pennine Alpsmoderate

A Wild, Defiant Unpaved Road to Hohsaas in the Swiss Pennine Alps

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Hohsaas: A Swiss Alpine Adventure Ready for a serious mountain challenge? Hohsaas is calling—a jaw-dropping peak sitting at 3,146m (10,321ft) in the Valais region of Switzerland, just a stone's throw from the Italian border. This isn't just any mountain road; it's one of Europe's highest, and honestly, it's pretty epic. Starting from the charming village of Saas-Grund, you're looking at roughly 14km of pure alpine terrain that'll test both your vehicle and your nerves. The elevation gain? A hefty 1,553m with an average gradient of 11.09%—so yeah, it's steep. Fair warning: this entire route is unpaved, and it's technically a chairlift access trail, which means it's rustic and raw. But that's part of the appeal, right? The road is only accessible during summer months when the snow finally clears, making this a seasonal bucket-list experience. Once you reach the summit, you'll find the cozy Berghütte Hohsaas mountain cabin—the perfect spot to catch your breath and soak in the incredible panoramic views of the Swiss Pennine Alps. If you're after an unforgettable high-altitude driving experience in one of the world's most scenic mountain ranges, Hohsaas absolutely delivers. Just come prepared for a serious climb.