
Is Col de Bavella paved?
France, europe
38.4 km
1,226 m
moderate
Year-round
Col de Bavella is a must-see mountain pass sitting way up high at 1,226m (4,022ft) in southern Corsica. Seriously, it's one of the highest roads you'll find on the island!
Perched in the Alta Rocca mountains, the D268 is totally paved. This road is famous for being super scenic, showing off the stunning Corsican coast below, but heads up, it gets packed in summer! The winding road is full of hairpin turns. The views of the fascinating mountains all around are amazing.
It's a dramatic drive from the mountains to the coast, with plenty of spots to pull over and soak it all in. The road follows the Solenzara river, so keep an eye out for rock pools and canyons where you can take a dip! Fiumicelle is a particularly great swimming spot along the river.
The pass itself has bars, restaurants, and shops, plus a grassy area with pine trees that's perfect for picnics. It's about 38.4 km (23.86 miles) long, stretching from Zonza towards the sea. If you're coming from Zonza, it's an 8.9 km climb, gaining 440 meters in elevation. It averages around 4.9%, but there are some steeper sections where it hits 8.6%.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 38.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,226 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
easyDiakofti bridge, a hidden gem on a Greek beach
🇬🇷 Greece
# Diakofti Bridge: A Gem on Kythera Island Ready to experience one of the world's most jaw-dropping bridges? Head to the northeast corner of Kythera, that gorgeous Greek island that used to hang out with the Ionian Islands crew, and you'll find the stunning Diakofti bridge waiting for you. This beauty stretches just over 114 meters across the water, connecting the charming village of Diakofti to a tiny islet called Makronisi (also known as Makrokythira). Spoiler alert: the views from this bridge are absolutely incredible—seriously, bring your camera. While you're in the area, don't miss the town itself. Diakofti is packed with character, featuring a beautiful beach that's perfect for a swim, cozy cafés where you can sip your morning coffee, excellent restaurants serving up local flavors, quirky shops to browse, and plenty of places to rest your head for the night. Whether you're a road-tripping enthusiast or just someone who appreciates stunning coastal scenery, this bridge is an absolute must-see. The combination of engineering marvel and natural beauty makes it one of those drives you'll be talking about for years.
hardWhere is Sant'Anna di Vinadio?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: Sant'Anna di Vinadio, a sanctuary perched way up in the Italian Alps (Cuneo province, to be exact). We're talking seriously high altitude – like, 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) high! It's tucked away in the Stura Valley, north of everything. This isn't just any old church, it's the highest Christian worship place in Europe. Pilgrims have been trekking here for ages. You'll find it at the head of the Orgials valley, a sidekick to the main Stura di Demonte Valley. Once you get to Vinadio, it's a straight shot up to Colle della Lombarda. Plus, there's a huge parking lot at the top, and even a guesthouse and hostel nearby in an old military building. Now, the drive. It's about 17 km from Vinadio (at 900m), and you're gaining 1,100 meters in elevation. The road's paved, but get ready for a mix of twists, turns, climbs, and flat sections. Just when you think you're there, BAM! The last three hairpin turns hit you with slopes up to 20%. Oh, and did I mention it's narrow? Heads up though, this place is only accessible during the summer months. It's way up there in the Maritime Alps, so snow's a real issue. Also, the road is paved and can handle vehicles up to 10 meters long. The views? Totally worth it!
moderateCanencia Pass, a paved mountain road in Madrid
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto de Canencia Tucked away in the northern reaches of Madrid's mountains, Puerto de Canencia sits pretty at 1,511 meters (4,957 feet) above sea level. This is where the magic happens if you're after some serious elevation gains in central Spain. The road up? That's the M-629, a beautifully winding paved route that's been around since the mid-20th century (built between 1941 and 1954, if you're keeping track). Fair warning: weekends get crowded here, so plan accordingly. You're looking at 17.1 km of pure Sierra de Guadarrama scenery. Here's what to expect: some genuinely steep sections that'll test your nerve, with maximum grades hitting 10%. But don't worry—you've got options for your ascent. Coming from Canencia? That's the shorter climb at 8.9 km, gaining 367 meters at a mellow 4.12% average grade. Prefer starting from Miraflores de la Sierra? Go for the 7.8 km route instead, which climbs 368 meters at a slightly spicier 4.71% average gradient. Either way, you're in for a scenic mountain adventure that'll make for some incredible road trip memories.
moderateWhere Is Col de Valberg?
🇫🇷 France
Alright, picture this: You're cruising through the Alpes-Maritimes department of France, smack-dab in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. You're heading for the Col de Valberg, a sweet mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,672m (5,475ft). This gem is tucked inside the Mercantour National Park, so you know the views are going to be epic! The road itself, the D28, is a well-maintained beauty stretching almost 20 km (12+ miles) from Guillaumes to Beuil. Heads up, it can get a bit busy in the summer as everyone flocks to soak up the scenery. Now, don't let the wide road fool you, this climb has some bite! Col de Valberg has even been a Tour de France stop, so cyclists know what's up. You'll hit some ramps with gradients up to 11%! From Guillaumes (via St. Brès), it’s a 13+ km climb gaining 880 meters, averaging around 6.7%. Coming from Beuil is shorter but still fun — just over 6 km with a 231-meter climb, averaging 3.8%. Get ready for some stunning views and maybe a little huffing and puffing!