Is the road to Col du Plateau Rosa unpaved?
Italy, europe
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: the Col du Plateau Rosa, perched way up high in the Italian Alps. We're talking serious altitude here! Now, fair warning, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Forget smooth tarmac—this road is all rugged, unpaved adventure. And trust me, you'll want a 4x4 to tackle the steep inclines.
This road isn’t just for kicks, it’s actually a service route for a chairlift, but that doesn't mean the views are any less spectacular. Once you conquer the climb, reward yourself at the summit restaurant.
The whole thing is a relatively short but intense jaunt. Over just a few kilometers you gain a huge amount of elevation, so get ready for some seriously steep sections. Keep in mind that this road is a no-go in winter due to snow. As you grind your way up, you'll pass by .
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extremeHow do the traffic lights work at Passo Stalle?
🇮🇹 Italy
Staller Saddle, or Passo Stalle, is a seriously cool international pass sitting way up at 2,061m (6,761ft), right on the border between Austria and Italy. It's your ticket between the Defereggen Valley in Austria's East Tyrol and the Valle di Anterselva in Italy's South Tyrol, carving through the stunning High Tauern range. This road is paved and signed, but hold on tight! The Italian side gets super narrow, making it one of the Alps' most challenging drives. It's so tight that they use a synchronized one-way system with traffic lights to keep things flowing. Think of it like this: from the Austrian side, you get the green light for the first 15 minutes of every hour. Coming from the Italian side? Your green window is from the 30th to the 45th minute. Overtaking? Forget about it! And running a red light? Seriously dangerous. The Italian side, aka SP44, is where things get wild. Crazy narrow, blind corners everywhere, and some seriously steep sections. Big rigs, buses, and caravans are a no-go. Some spots are so tight, even squeezing past a cyclist can be tricky. This stretch is only open from May to October, and even then, just between 5:30 AM and 10:15 PM. The Austrian side (L25) is generally wider and a bit less steep. But don't get too comfy! After Erlsbach (1,549m), the road kicks up with some consistent inclines. Pro tip: gas is usually way cheaper in Austria, so fill up in St. Jakob in Defereggen before you cross into Italy! Is it dangerous? The road itself is in good shape, but the real danger is the lack of space and that tight timing. Waiting 45 minutes for a green light can tempt some drivers to take risks, but those blind corners on the Italian side leave zero room for error. Heavy rain or landslides can also shut things down, even in summer.
moderateA great road to Cormet de Roselend in the Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Cormet de Roselend Nestled in the Savoie department of southeastern France near the Italian border, Cormet de Roselend sits at a breezy 1,991m (6,532ft) elevation. The name itself—derived from the Latin "Culmen"—literally means summit, and boy, does it deliver on that promise. This iconic stretch is part of the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes and spans 39.5 km (24.54 miles) of fully paved bliss, connecting Beaufort in the Beaufortain valley to Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the Tarentaise Valley via routes D902 and D925. Fair warning: 22 hairpin turns await you, so bring your A-game driving skills. The climb is no joke. From Beaufort's side, you're looking at 20.32 km of ascending with 1,227 meters of elevation gain (averaging 6%, with punchy 8.9% sections). The Bourg-Saint-Maurice approach is slightly shorter at 19.35 km, but still packs 1,154 meters of climb with steeper 10% sections—topped out at a gnarly 12% through some sections. Don't be fooled by that modest 6% average; the road starts relatively gentle under tree cover before dropping you into a relentless sequence of 10 tight hairpins that'll keep your heart racing. Summer's the sweet spot for driving here, as winter closures are pretty standard at this altitude. The Tour de France has featured this pass multiple times, and it's easy to see why. The real showstopper? Lac de Roselend, the stunning reservoir you'll spot on the western side, plus those jaw-dropping Mont Blanc views when you pass by Vallée des Glaciers. Think endless alpine meadows, cowbell soundtracks, and scenery that just keeps getting better with every turn.
moderateWhen was Punta de Jandía lighthouse built?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, ready for an adventure! Head south from Morro Jable and get ready for the Carretera Punta de Jandía, the road to the Faro de la Punta de Jandía lighthouse. This 21.7 km (13.48 mile) ride to the island's southern tip is mostly unpaved, though there's a tiny bit of pavement thrown in there, and it'll take you about an hour. Don't worry, most cars can handle it. This isn't just a drive; it's a total visual feast! You'll be hugging the coast, with killer views of the sea on one side and dramatic black volcanic mountains on the other. And the reward? This awesome lighthouse, standing 62 feet (19 meters) tall, a seriously photogenic landmark against the wild ocean backdrop. Built way back in 1864 to guide ships heading to Africa, it's the perfect destination at the end of one of the most scenic drives on the island. Camera essential!
extremeWhere is Tossal dels Altars?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: Lleida, Spain, deep in Catalonia and the rugged Pyrenees. You're aiming for Tossal dels Altars, a seriously high mountain peak. This isn't just any drive – it's a climb to one of the highest roads in the whole country! So, where exactly are we going? Think south of the well-known Vall Fosca, perched on a ridge overlooking the stunning Àssua valley. This isn't some random trail, it was once part of the Llessui ski resort’s infrastructure, abandoned since '87. Driving here is like stepping back in time – you'll see the haunting skeletons of old ski lifts and mountain facilities, a silent testament to a past life. Now, about the road itself: It's unpaved, a proper mountain track meant for tough service vehicles. Translation? You absolutely need a 4x4! This isn’t your Sunday drive. We're talking high-mountain shale and loose gravel, which can get real sketchy, especially during the changing seasons. The trail is narrow, demanding your full attention. And heads up, the weather up here, near 2,500 meters, can flip on you in minutes! Oh, and just a heads up, this road is typically a no-go from October to June because of snow. Starting from the village of Llessui, you've got a 13.4 km (8.3 miles) climb ahead of you. That’s a massive ascent, gaining around 1,000 meters of elevation. The average grade is around 7.46%, but trust me, it feels relentless. Get ready for 19 hairpin turns that snake up the mountain! These were built for heavy equipment, so they’re wide enough for a 4x4, but watch out for the loose ground. And remember, the air gets thin as you approach the summit. What makes this drive a challenge? It's the mix of steepness, high altitude, and the decay of the old resort. Some sections, once ski runs, have seen better days due to erosion. If you’re scared of heights, maybe skip this one. The views over the Vall Fosca are mind-blowing, but there are no guardrails here. In the fall, the shale can get slippery, making it a real test. But, if you're up for it, this is your ticket to experience the “ghost resort” of Llessui and conquer one of the Pallars Sobirà region's most iconic peaks.