
Le Petit Cordeil
France, europe
7.2 km
1.121 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Deep in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region of France, you'll find Le Petit Cordeil, a peak soaring to 1,768m (5,800ft). This isn't your average Sunday drive; the 7.2km route kicks off near Thorame-Basse (1,121m) and climbs a hefty 647 meters, boasting an average gradient of almost 9%!
Expect a properly rugged, unpaved mountain track, rocky and bumpy enough to test your mettle. If off-road driving isn't your thing, maybe give this one a miss. A 4x4 is seriously recommended! Once you conquer the climb, you'll be rewarded with views fit for the gods – and the knowledge that you've reached one of the area’s top spots for paragliding launches!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 7.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1.121 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
easyIs the Atlantic Road the Most Breathtaking Road in Western Portugal?
🇵🇹 Portugal
Cruising down Portugal's Estrada Atlântica, or Atlantic Road, is a must-do. Picture this: 60 km (37 miles) of pure coastal bliss stretching from Nazaré to Praia do Osso da Baleia, near Figueira da Foz. This fully paved route is perfect for any car, and cyclists and bikers will love the dedicated lane. Forget summer crowds and hit this road in spring or autumn. You’ll be rewarded with tranquil views and plenty of room to breathe. It's the perfect day trip, showcasing the best of western Portugal. Think breathtaking ocean vistas, windswept dunes, and pockets of the famed Leiria pine forest. Stop often! Photo ops are endless, and picnic spots abound. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in fresh seafood, especially in Praia da Vieira where you can taste Arroz de Marisco (seafood rice) which is known to be one of the seven wonders of Portuguese gastronomy. Keep an eye out for remnants of the Leiria pine forest, planted way back in the 14th century to stabilize the dunes and supply shipbuilding timber. While a fire damaged the area, you'll still see its beautiful footprint along the way.
hardWhere is St. Gotthard Pass?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through southern Switzerland, aiming for the legendary Passo del San Gottardo, a whopping 2,110 meters (6,922 feet) high in the Saint-Gotthard Massif. This isn't just any road; it's National Road 2, a major artery stretching 64 kilometers (40 miles) between Andermatt and Biasca, connecting the German and Italian-speaking parts of Switzerland. Think Zurich to Lugano, or even Germany to Italy – this pass is the shortcut! The road is all smooth pavement, but hold on tight as you head south. Get ready for hairpin turns galore, each offering incredible views…and countless avalanche galleries protecting you from potential slides. It can get crowded during holidays, but honestly, the slower pace lets you soak in the breathtaking scenery. For an extra thrill, check out the old Tremola road on the eastern side – it's a real challenge. Keep in mind this beauty is usually snowed in from late October to late June/early July, and even in summer, it's closed nightly. You’ll find reservoirs and buildings dotting the summit, all while surrounded by a stark, almost mournful landscape – a true testament to the harsh conditions up here. And if you’re wondering about the name, it comes from a chapel built in honor of Saint Gotthard way back in the 1300s. Get ready for an unforgettable alpine adventure!
hardDriving the brutal road to Hellfire Pass in Wales
🇬🇧 Wales
Okay, buckle up, because Bwlch y Groes – the "Pass of the Cross" – is about to blow your mind! Perched high in Gwynedd, Wales, at a cool 545m (1,788ft), it's one of the UK's highest roads, period. You'll find this beast nestled in the Aran Mountains, practically on Snowdonia's doorstep in north-west Wales. Clocking in at almost 20km (12.3 miles) between Minllyn and Llanuwchllyn, this isn't just a pass, it's an *experience*. They don't call it "Hellfire Pass" for nothing! The length and the incline of this climb are seriously hardcore – think one of the UK's most brutal ascents. The road's paved, sure, but hold on tight: it gets crazy narrow and steep, with gradients maxing out at a butt-clenching 25% in places. "Brutal" is an understatement! Seriously, this road's legendary – even old-school car companies like Austin and Triumph used it to test their prototypes. So, yeah, maybe skip this one in your big rig. Give yourself at least 30-45 minutes to soak it all in – because this road is drop-dead gorgeous. It's wild, rugged, and unforgivingly steep, but the views? Unreal. You'll be staring out over the Dyfi Valley, catching glimpses of Cadair Idris, and getting up close and personal with Aran Fawddwy. Trust me; you won't forget this drive.
hardGletscherexpress Bergstation
🇦🇹 Austria
# Gletscherexpress Bergstation: Alpine Adventure at 2,842m Perched dramatically in the Ötztal Valley of Austrian Tyrol, the Gletscherexpress Bergstation sits at a breathtaking 2,842 meters (9,324 feet) above sea level. This high-altitude lift station offers an experience that's equal parts thrilling and challenging. The route up is pure Alpine terrain—rocky, gravelly, and unforgiving. What you're really tackling here is a chairlift access trail that demands respect. The slope is seriously steep, littered with loose stones that shift beneath your feet, and it only gets steeper and more rock-strewn as you push higher. Timing is absolutely crucial; this trail is only safely passable during a narrow summer window around late August. Don't underestimate mountain weather here. Wind is relentless year-round and can be absolutely brutal at these heights. Even during summer, you might wake up to fresh snow. Winter? Forget about it—temperatures plummet to genuinely harsh levels that'll test your limits. The actual ski-station service road is steep as they come, with some sections hitting 30% gradient. It's the kind of climb that'll make your legs burn and your heart race. This is undoubtedly a route for experienced adventurers who understand high-altitude mountain conditions and respect nature's power. Come prepared, come humble, and come ready for one spectacular Alpine experience.