
Pas de Chavanette
Switzerland, europe
N/A
2,147 m
hard
Year-round
# Pas de Chavanette: A High-Alpine Adventure
Perched at 2,147 meters (7,043 feet) on the French-Swiss border, Pas de Chavanette sits dramatically above the Avoriaz ski slopes—a seriously impressive mountain pass that's not for the faint of heart.
Fair warning: this route is all gravel and rocky terrain that gets genuinely sketchy when conditions turn ugly. Winters? Forget about it—the pass becomes completely impassable. This is squarely in the realm of experienced off-roaders only. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous or heights give you the chills, do yourself a favor and skip this one.
The final 1-2 kilometers are absolutely brutal—steep as they come and slippery enough to keep your knuckles white on the steering wheel. Add rain into the mix and that muddy surface becomes a real test of skill and nerves. You'll need solid clearance and serious driving chops to tackle this beast, especially once you hit those final punishing grades.
Bottom line? This is a genuine mountain challenge that rewards capable drivers with an unforgettable high-altitude experience straddling two countries. Just make sure you know what you're getting into before you point your vehicle uphill.
Where is it?
Pas de Chavanette is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.9163, 8.2287
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,147 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.9163, 8.2287
Related Roads in europe
moderate40 hairpin turns to Col de Braus in the Alpes Maritimes
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Braus: A French Alpine Masterpiece Tucked away in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, Col de Braus sits at 1,002m (3,287ft) and is arguably one of the world's most iconic hairpin-heavy mountain passes. This legendary stretch of road connects the charming town of Sospel to L'Escarène, cutting right through the heart of the Alpes-Maritimes and serving as the gateway between the Nice and Menton valleys. What makes this 21.5 km (13.35 miles) fully paved stretch of D2204 so special? Those jaw-dropping 40 stacked hairpin turns that spiral up the mountainside like something out of a racing video game. Seriously, they're architectural marvels—some even have walls that look like medieval fortifications holding them in place. You'll swap between tight switchbacks and flowing sweeping bends, all while soaking in genuinely stunning views of the French countryside below. Fair warning: this isn't a casual Sunday cruise. Those dramatic elevation changes come with some seriously long drops on the sides, and the narrow road means you'll need to stay sharp around oncoming traffic. Most drivers tackle it in 35-45 minutes (without stops), though you'd be missing out if you didn't pull over at one of the lookout points along the way. The climb itself is surprisingly manageable—never exceeding 12.3% gradient—but that steady 5.7-6.4% average grade combined with all those curves will definitely keep your driving skills sharp. Whether you're ascending from Sospel (11.2 km, 639m elevation gain) or L'Escarène (10.3 km, 662m gain), you're in for a treat. The pass has serious racing credentials too, hosting Tour de France and Giro d'Italia stages, plus serving as the famous Monte Carlo Rally stage. At the summit, you'll find a monument to René Vietto—a legendary French cyclist who never quite won the Tour. Perfect spot to catch your breath before descending those same thrilling switchbacks.
moderateWhere is Col du Glandon?
🇫🇷 France
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about Col du Glandon! This beast of a mountain pass sits pretty high up in the French Alps, in the Savoie department, clocking in at a cool 1,930m (6,332ft). You'll find it in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This is no Sunday drive, folks; it's known as one of the toughest climbs around. The road, D927, is paved and stretches for 46.4 km (28.83 miles) from Barrage du Verney to La Chambre. Cyclists, take note: this is the first climb and descent in La Marmotte sportive every July. Heads up though, this beauty is usually closed from early November to mid-May thanks to the alpine weather. But when it's open, you're in for a treat! Expect varied slopes, some seriously steep sections hitting a maximum gradient of 15.5%, and incredible views from the summit. There's even a parking lot and a bar-restaurant up top! The last 7 kilometers are the toughest, and the last two kilometers are over 10 percent with stretches of 12 percent. Starting from Barrage du Verney, the elevation gain is 1.152 meters over 24.12 km. And if you're coming from La Chambre, prepare for a 1.472-meter climb over 21.3 km. Built in 1898, Col du Glandon first appeared in the Tour de France in 1947 and has been a regular ever since. In summer, expect a decent amount of traffic, so keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready!
hardPortal de Picos
🇪🇸 Spain
# Portal de Picos: Spain's Ultimate High-Altitude Adventure Ready for a serious mountain challenge? Portal de Picos sits pretty at 1,854m (6,082ft) in Cantabria's stunning Picos de Europa national park, and the journey to the summit is absolutely not for the faint of heart. This is a proper 4x4 expedition through the Central Massif. The road itself is a gloriously gnarly mix of gravel, rocks, and rutted terrain that'll test your nerve and your vehicle. Expect relentless twists, hairpins, and steep sections that keep you constantly wrestling the wheel left and right. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, seriously reconsider—this one demands serious driving chops. Here's the real talk: Mother Nature runs the show here. Snow typically rolls in by late September, and the road becomes impassable from October through June depending on conditions. Autumn's the real wildcard—temperatures can plummet without warning, and thunderstorms can transform the track into an impassable mess in minutes. Heights? Better get comfortable with them. But stick it out, and you'll be rewarded. The summit hosts facilities and buildings, plus you'll pass the charming Chalet Real—a historic villa that once hosted King Alfonso XIII back in 1912. Hotel Áliva marks your starting point. The views are phenomenal: sweeping ridgelines of Olvidada, Peña Vieja, and Torre de los Horcados Rojos paint the backdrop. Wildlife enthusiasts will geek out spotting wild boar, ibex, chamois, and if you're incredibly lucky, protected Iberian wolves and Cantabrian brown bears. This place is genuinely wild.
moderateTake the Scenic Route and Discover Valdresflye
🇳🇴 Norway
# Valdresflye: Norway's Alpine Adventure Nestled in the easternmost reaches of Jotunheimen, Valdresflye stands as one of Norway's highest mountain passes at a breathtaking 1,393 meters (4,570 feet). This fully paved route, officially known as the National Tourist Route Valdresflye or Fylkesvei 51, stretches for an impressive 49 kilometers (30.44 miles) from Garli near Beitostølen all the way to Besstrondsæter in Vågå. What makes this mountain plateau drive so special? The journey itself is fairly straightforward—the road is mostly well-maintained, though you'll hit some narrow sections that keep things interesting. The real drama comes from the weather and timing. The pass typically opens in early May and stays accessible well into November, though winter can shut it down unexpectedly when snow decides to reclaim the mountain. Here's the thing about driving up here: conditions can shift faster than you can say "Norse mythology." The weather at the plateau is notoriously unpredictable, so come prepared and keep your wits about you. But if you're chasing that perfect combination of stunning alpine scenery, genuine mountain driving, and the satisfaction of conquering one of Scandinavia's highest roads, Valdresflye absolutely delivers. It's the kind of route that reminds you why Norway's landscapes capture hearts (and camera rolls) worldwide.