Pas de Coterieux

Pas de Coterieux

France, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,526 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Pas de Coterieux in the French Alps is calling your name! Nestled way up high in Savoie, we're talking 2,526 meters (that's over 8,000 feet!) of pure alpine goodness.

Word of warning: this isn't your average Sunday drive. This "road" is actually more of a rocky, gravelly, and occasionally bumpy trail, only accessible by chairlift most of the time! You'll be traversing the stunning Massif des Cerces range. It's usually a no-go zone from October to June, thanks to the weather. This one's strictly for experienced off-roaders with a trusty 4x4. If you're not comfortable with heights or super steep climbs, maybe skip this one. But if you're game? Get ready for some seriously breathtaking scenery.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,526 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Where is Colle Blegier?moderate

Where is Colle Blegier?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, picture this: Colle Blegier, a seriously awesome mountain pass in Italy's Torino province, chilling at 2,381 meters high. We're talking northern Piemonte, nestled in the Parco Naturale del Gran Bosco di Salbertrand, right between Mount Genevris and Colle Lauson. The road, Strada Provinciale 173 (aka the Assietta Road), is mostly unpaved and stretches for 39.3 km, almost entirely above 2,000 meters! Keep in mind, this beauty is only open from June 1st to October 31st. Watch out for restrictions on vehicle size (under 3.5 tons and 2 meters wide), and double-check those Wednesday and Saturday bans in July and August. Built way back in 1890 by the 3rd Reggimento Alpini, it's got some serious history!

Where is Ffordd Pen Llech?moderate

Where is Ffordd Pen Llech?

🇬🇧 Wales

Okay, picture this: You're in North Wales, in the ridiculously charming medieval town of Harlech, right on the edge of Snowdonia National Park. You stumble upon Ffordd Pen Llech. It's a fully paved, single-track road that hugs the side of Harlech Castle like it's trying to escape. Now, this isn't just any road. We're talking seriously steep, with sections hitting a crazy 37.45% gradient! It's so intense that for a while, Guinness actually called it the steepest street on the planet. To keep things from getting totally chaotic, they've made the upper part one-way downhill, because the thought of cars meeting and trying to restart on that slope? Nightmare fuel. The whole thing is only about 0.2 miles long, but you gain a whopping 170 feet in elevation. That’s an average gradient of 17.33%! For cyclists, this is a legendary climb – brutal, yes, but unforgettable. And hey, if you’re feeling chicken, there’s another, slightly less insane route up the hill, with gradients topping out at a “mere” 25%. Either way, buckle up for some incredible views and a seriously unforgettable drive.

Why is it called Ibar Highway?hard

Why is it called Ibar Highway?

🌍 Montenegro

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're hitting the Ibarska Magistrala – or as the locals ominously call it, the "Black Highway" – connecting Belgrade to western Serbia and Montenegro. Why "Ibar"? Because it hugs the gorgeous (but potentially treacherous) Ibar River for part of the way! This epic stretch is a 297 km (185 mile) ride, and forms part of European routes E65, E80, and E763. Think of it as a fully paved rollercoaster – sometimes smooth sailing in the cities, sometimes a bit rough around the edges in the countryside, especially after a storm. Word to the wise: daylight driving is your friend here. Those single-lane stretches get pretty busy, and you want to see what's coming! Now, let's talk safety. This road has a reputation, so stay sharp! Between 2017 and 2019, there were 1,736 accidents, resulting in 86 fatalities and 1,619 injuries. Keep your eyes peeled and respect the road, and you'll be golden.

Driving the paved road to Wurzen Pass in the Limestone Alpsmoderate

Driving the paved road to Wurzen Pass in the Limestone Alps

🇦🇹 Austria

Wurzenpass-Korensko Sedlo sits pretty at 1,073 meters (3,520 feet) right on the Austrian-Slovenian border, connecting Carinthia with Slovenia's Upper Carniola region. This mountain pass has serious history—traders were already using it back in the 15th century, and the first proper road rolled through in 1734. Today, you'll find this fully paved route carved through the stunning Karawanks mountains in the Southern Limestone Alps. Known as B109 Wurzenpass Straße on the Austrian side and Slovenian highway No. 201 across the border, it's an 11.2-kilometer drive linking the Austrian town of Radendorf to the Slovenian village of Kranjska Gora (sitting on the Sava Dolinka River). Fair warning: this isn't your straightforward mountain drive. The road is seriously twisty with some intense grades hitting 18 percent—your brakes will definitely get a workout. Summer is peak season here since it's one of the most popular crossings between the two countries, so expect plenty of company on the pavement, especially in warm months. But if you're after gorgeous Alpine scenery mixed with a bit of driving challenge, this pass delivers.