
Is the road to Pla de la Feixa paved?
Spain, europe
14 km
2,212 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're in the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees, near the French border, cruising between the adorable towns of Meranges and Guils de Cerdanya. You're headed to Pla de la Feixa, a high-mountain plateau sitting pretty at 2,212m (that's 7,257ft!).
Now, the road isn't paved – it's a 14 km (8.7 miles) forest track twisting from the Refugi Malniu eastwards to Guils de Cerdanya. Most cars can handle it in the dry season, but remember, it's still a mountain road! Snow makes it a no-go in winter, so aim for late spring to early fall.
Trust me, the views are worth it. Think incredible peaks all around, and you'll pass right by the Refugi de la Feixa. From there, it's a must to hike to the stunning Malniu Lake (Estany de Malniu). The plateau itself? It's this huge alpine meadow that gives you a knockout view of the whole Cerdanya valley and the Cadí-Moixeró range. Basically, it's scenery overload!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,212 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateA tricky steep road to the summit of Bucanski Kamen in Serbia
🌍 Serbia
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got the perfect Serbian road trip for you: Bučanski Kamen. Picture this: you're winding your way up the Tupižnica mountains in eastern Serbia, heading for a peak that tops out at 1,143 meters (3,750 feet). The road starts near the town of Manjinac and it's about 7 kilometers (4.34 miles) of mostly paved road, though let’s be honest, it's seen better days. The last little bit is unpaved, so get ready for a bit of a bumpy ride. You'll climb almost 600 meters, with some sections hitting an 8% grade. The views though? Totally worth it! At the summit, you'll find a TV relay station overlooking the village of Bučje, and if you're lucky, you might even catch some paragliders taking off. This spot is famous for it! Trust me, the panoramic views are absolutely breathtaking.
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering Gorges de la Spelunca
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: Corsica, west coast, sunshine... and the Gorges de la Spelunca! This canyon road, snaking between Ota and Évisa (east of Porto), is a total stunner. We're talking dramatic landscapes carved out by the Spelunca river itself. The D124, all paved don't worry, stretches for about 9km (that's 5.5 miles for my American friends) from Porto up to the D84. Now, fair warning: if you're not a fan of twisty-turny roads, this might test your patience. It's a classic Corsican seaside drive – super curvy and pretty darn narrow. Speaking of narrow, keep your eyes peeled! This route gets busy, especially in the summer months. You WILL want to stop and snap some pics (trust me), but please, please, PLEASE don't block the road or park willy-nilly. Find a safe spot, soak in those views, and keep the traffic flowing! Rock slides are also a risk so keep an eye out!
extremeMonte La Mula
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the Calabria region of southern Italy, nestled within the breathtaking Parco Nazionale del Pollino, lies Monte La Mula. This peak punches way up to 1,934 meters (that's 6,345 feet for my American friends!). The road to the top? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Forget smooth asphalt; we're talking gravel, rocks, and a seriously uneven surface that'll have you tipping and bouncing all the way. This is an extreme trail, tailor-made for experienced off-roaders. If unpaved mountain roads aren't your thing, maybe skip this one. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 to conquer this beast, and be prepared for some seriously steep climbs. As a bonus, you can check out an abandoned cinnabar mine that was up and running way back in the 19th century!
hardDriving the military road to Frejus Pass in the Cottian Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Col du Fréjus: A High-Alpine Adventure Perched at 2,546 meters (8,353 feet) on the Franco-Italian border, Col du Fréjus is one of those legendary Alpine passes that feels like stepping back in time. Also known as Passo del Frejus, this mountain crossing connects Italy's Piedmont region with France's Savoie department, and trust me—it's absolutely worth the trek. At the summit, you'll find a charming little lake called Petit lac du Frejus, a stone cross, and stunning 360-degree views that make your heart skip a beat. What really makes this place special is its incredible history. The road was carved out in the 1890s under the direction of French Général-Baron Berge, and the landscape is dotted with remnants of its past—abandoned military barracks, old forts, and weathered fortifications scattered throughout. You'll even spot historical plaques marking skirmishes from June 1940 when Italian and French troops clashed here during World War II. Here's the catch: the French approach is seriously no-joke territory. Starting from Le Seuil, it's an 8.4-kilometer beast with a brutal 30% gradient on the steepest sections. Over that distance, you'll climb 873 meters with an average gradient of 10.39%—basically, it's relentless. The unpaved road sits high on the western edge of the Massif du Mont Cenis in the Cottian Alps, and while the surface isn't terrible, it can get slippery. Fair warning: the French side is closed to private vehicles and requires a 4x4 anyway. The Italian side? That's purely hiking territory with a steep trail only. Since 1980, when the 13-kilometer Fréjus Road Tunnel opened, most traffic bypassed the pass entirely—which honestly makes it feel even more like a hidden gem for adventurous explorers.