Oulles
France, europe
6.5 km
1,483 m
extreme
Year-round
Ever heard of Oulles? It's this tiny mountain village clinging to the Taillefer massif in the French Alps, and with only a handful of residents, it's officially the smallest in the area! Getting there is an adventure in itself.
Forget highways, you'll be snaking up 6.5 kilometers of the D221, a crazy road carved into the rockface. Imagine hairpin after hairpin – twelve in total! This road wasn't even around until the '60s; before that, it was just mule trails. Talk about remote!
Be prepared for a workout – this climb gains a whopping 767 meters in elevation. We're talking an average gradient of almost 12%, with some sections hitting over 13%. But trust me, the views are worth it. Picture this: smooth asphalt, switchbacks hugging a cliff edge, and hardly any other cars around. It's an incredible drive to a village that time forgot, a place where they mined silver lead for centuries!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 6.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,483 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere Are Lagos de Covadonga?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the stunning Picos de Europa National Park in northern Spain, heading towards the legendary Lagos de Covadonga – a pair of breathtaking glacial lakes. This isn't just any drive; it's an adventure! The road is totally paved, so no need for a monster truck, but don't think it'll be a walk in the park. It's a climb, baby! We're talking seriously steep inclines, making it a famous route for pro cyclists. It winds its way up, reaching a cool elevation of above sea level. The whole shebang is long, gaining in elevation along the way, which translates to an average gradient of . There's even a particularly brutal stretch called with sections hitting , 7km from the top! But trust me, it’s SO worth it. The scenery is absolutely unreal – picture-postcard perfect. And when you finally get to the top, take some time to explore the lakes and check out the interesting . You won't regret it!
hardÇakırbaba Geçidi
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, buckle up, because Çakırbaba Geçidi in eastern Turkey is calling your name! This insane mountain pass in Erzurum Province hits a sky-high 2,407 meters (that's nearly 7,900 feet!). The road itself is paved, winding between the towns of Sındıran and Sırbasan. Be warned, though, this climb is seriously steep! Picture-perfect views come standard, but so do some potential challenges. Winter storms can make things pretty dicey up here, so check the forecast. If you're not super comfortable with mountain driving, especially at night or when visibility is low, maybe skip this one. But hey, at the top, you'll find a cool memorial waiting for you after that epic drive. Get ready for an adventure!
moderateIs the Road to Colle San Carlo Paved?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: Colle San Carlo, a sweet mountain pass tucked away in the Italian Alps, clocking in at a cool 6,410 feet above sea level. You'll find it winding through the Aosta Valley region – seriously stunning scenery. We're talking about Strada Regionale 39 (SR39), a roughly 11.5-mile stretch of pavement linking La Thuile and Morgex. Now, heads up – this isn't just a leisurely drive. Some stretches boast a max gradient of 13%! Starting in La Thuile, you'll climb about 2,800 feet over roughly 6 miles for an average grade of 8.7%. Coming from Morgex? Get ready to ascend around 3,200 feet in about 5.5 miles, averaging a 10.9% grade, and sections exceed 13%! Translation: Get ready for some serious switchbacks and breathtaking views.
moderateRing Road (Route 1)
🇮🇸 Iceland
# Iceland's Ring Road: The Ultimate Icelandic Road Trip Ready for an epic 1,322-kilometer adventure? Iceland's Ring Road is basically the country's greatest hits tour on asphalt and gravel, looping around the entire island and hitting pretty much every corner where people actually live. The road got its final piece in 1974 when they finished the Skogar River bridge, and honestly, it's been the ultimate bucket-list drive ever since. What makes this route absolutely mind-blowing is the sheer variety of scenery you'll encounter. Imagine cruising past massive lava fields that look like alien terrain, then rolling up to impossibly blue glacial lagoons, volcanic wastelands, and geothermal hotspots where the earth itself seems alive. The fjords on the east coast? Dramatic doesn't even cover it. You'll pass right by some of Iceland's most Instagram-famous spots—think thundering waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, the otherworldly Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and the otherworldly geothermal wonderland of Myvatn. Most of the route is paved these days, though some stretches in the northern and eastern sections still stick to gravel, adding a bit of adventure to the mix. Plan on spending 7 to 10 days to really do it justice. One heads-up: Iceland's weather is moody and unpredictable, changing faster than your mood on a road trip. If you're going in winter, come prepared with studded tires and keep tabs on road closures—it's not something to mess around with.