Is the road to Crête de Douce unpaved?

Is the road to Crête de Douce unpaved?

France, europe

Length

4.9 km

Elevation

2,029 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Crête de Douce in the French Alps is calling your name, if you're up for a challenge. We're talking a summit that hits 2,029m (6,656ft), so yeah, it's high!

Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road up to the peak is a rugged, unpaved path - a chairlift service road, to be exact. Get ready for some seriously steep climbs and hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills (there are eight of them!). Winter? Forget about it. This road is a no-go when the snow falls.

The fun starts where the paved D218B ends. From there, it's a 4.9 km (3.04 miles) push to the top, and you'll be climbing 568 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of nearly 12%! So, buckle up, keep your eyes on the prize, and get ready for some breathtaking Alpine scenery. This one's for the memory books!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
4.9 km
Max Elevation
2,029 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

What’s at the summit of Mount Voras-Kajmakčalan?hard

What’s at the summit of Mount Voras-Kajmakčalan?

🇬🇷 Greece

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're craving a seriously off-the-beaten-path experience, you HAVE to check out the road up Mount Voras-Kajmakčalan. Perched right on the border between Greece and North Macedonia, this baby clocks in at a whopping 2,524 meters (that's over 8,280 feet!). Forget pavement, because this 20km stretch is all about that rugged, unpaved life. Seriously, you'll need a 4x4 with some decent clearance to tackle this climb. The route winds its way from Petalino (North Macedonia) up to the Voras –Kaimaktsalan ski resort in Greece. Think switchbacks, gravel, and views that just keep getting better and better. Up top, you'll find two small churches: one dedicated to Serbian soldiers and another named Profitis Ilias on the Greek side. Word to the wise: this road is a summer-only kind of thing. When the snow flies, it's pretty much impassable, so plan accordingly! Get ready for some seriously epic mountain vibes!

Driving a paved mountain road to San Glorio Pass in Picos de Europamoderate

Driving a paved mountain road to San Glorio Pass in Picos de Europa

🇪🇸 Spain

# Puerto de San Glorio Want to experience some serious mountain driving? The Puerto de San Glorio is a stunning high-altitude pass sitting at 1,604m (5,262ft) right on the border between Cantabria and Castile and León in northwestern Spain. It's the kind of place that makes your heart race just thinking about it. The 36.8 km (22.86 miles) route connects the charming village of Potes in Cantabria with Portilla de la Reina in León, snaking through the dramatic Picos de Europa mountain range. You'll be tackling the N-621—a fully paved road that used to go by San Clovis or San Clovio—and yes, it gets seriously steep. We're talking maximum gradients of 11.0% on some sections that'll definitely test your nerve and your brakes. The summit area is pretty cool too. There's a parking lot where you can catch your breath, plus a paved road leading to the Collado de Llesba viewpoint—perfect for those Instagram-worthy mountain vistas. Word on the street is they're planning to build a ski resort up here, which would be incredible. Good news: the pass stays open year-round, so you can tackle it whenever you want. Fair warning though—this pass is famous enough to regularly feature in the Vuelta a España cycling race, so you know it's no joke. Oh, and keep an eye out for local wildlife; the area is crucial habitat for Spain's bear population, so drive respectfully through this natural treasure.

Tindevegen is a scenic Alpine road through Norway's highest peakshard

Tindevegen is a scenic Alpine road through Norway's highest peaks

🇳🇴 Norway

Tindevegen is a high mountain road in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway, that lives up to its nickname as the "Roof of Norway." Open seasonally from May to November, this 32 km (20 miles) stretch connects Øvre Årdal to Turtagrø and serves as a stunning gateway to Jotunheimen. Topping out at a impressive 1,322m (4,337ft), Tindevegen ranks among Norway's highest roads. The fully paved route is accessible to cars, RVs, and small buses, though you'll want to take it slow—some sections climb with gradients reaching 12.5%, and narrow, winding stretches keep you on your toes with tight hairpin turns. What makes this drive truly special is the scenery. You'll be treated to panoramic views of the Jotunheimen mountains and glimpses of the Sognefjord as you climb. The road features several thoughtfully placed viewpoints where you can pull over and soak it all in. There's an automatic toll station to handle fees, so no need to worry about stopping. This route also doubles as the shortest land connection between Bergen and Trondheim, making it a practical choice for travelers heading across Norway. Whether you're chasing mountain vistas or seeking a thrilling alpine drive, Tindevegen delivers an unforgettable Norwegian adventure.

Conquering the Road to Sommet Bucher in the French Alpsmoderate

Conquering the Road to Sommet Bucher in the French Alps

🇫🇷 France

# Sommet Bûcher: A Historic Alpine Adventure Perched at 2,215 meters (7,267 feet) in the Hautes-Alpes department of France, Sommet Bûcher is a stunning high-altitude peak that delivers serious alpine vibes. Nestled within the gorgeous Queyras Regional Natural Park in southeastern France, this spot is all about dramatic mountain scenery and fascinating history. Here's where it gets interesting: this road has some serious credentials. Built back in 1892 by troops under Général Henri Baron Berge, it was originally a military strategic route designed to give commanders a bird's-eye view over the valley—and to prepare for potential attacks from Italy during some tense geopolitical times. Pretty cool that the same general later opened the legendary Col d'Izoard in 1897. Starting from Chateau Queyras, you're looking at a 13-kilometer (8-mile) ascent that climbs 858 meters with an average gradient of 6.6%. Sounds manageable, right? Well, hold on—this old military road gets serious in places, with sections hitting a brutal 12% gradient. It's mostly paved but with some rougher dirt sections mixed in, so a 4x4 vehicle is definitely recommended if you want to stay comfortable. At the summit, you'll find a communication tower and a tiny mountain hut—the perfect spot to catch your breath and soak in the panoramic valley views. It's a proper old-school alpine challenge that rewards you with incredible vistas.