Pas des Escaliers
France, europe
N/A
1,700 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! I just discovered this mind-blowing mountain pass in the Isère department of France called Pas des Escaliers. We're talking a lofty 1,700 meters (that's 5,577 feet!) above sea level, people.
The road, also known as Route du Poursollet, is paved and ready for your tires. But heads up – it's the D114E, which is seriously steep and skinny. Think hairpin turns and breathtaking drops. You'll need your wits about you, but the views from the top are seriously worth the adrenaline rush. Get ready for some serious alpine scenery!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 1,700 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardMoucherotte
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got the inside scoop on an insane climb in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France: Moucherotte! This beast of a peak tops out at 1,863 meters (6,112 feet), and the road to the summit is pure, unadulterated gravel. Heads up, it's usually snowed in from October to June, weather depending. Here’s the backstory: there used to be this super swanky hotel, Le Ermitage, built in '59, complete with a cable car straight from Grenoble. It was THE place to be, attracting the jet set, even Brigitte Bardot! There was also a 90-meter ski jump built for the 1968 Grenoble Olympics. Sadly, the good times didn't last, and the hotel and lift were abandoned, falling into disrepair. The hotel and summit even played a role in Brigitte Bardot's movie "La Bride sur le cou" ("The Bride of the neck"). The ruins of the hotel were finally demolished along with the cable car station in the summer of 2001. Now, about that climb… It's only 4.3 kilometers from Saint Nizier du Moucherotte, but pack your courage! You'll gain a whopping 698 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 16.23% – seriously steep! But trust me, the views are SO worth it. You’re smack-dab in the Vercors Natural Regional Park. The Moucherotte is the most northerly summit of the Vercors massif, which means panoramic vistas galore. There are official viewpoints, but honestly, you'll want to pull over everywhere. From the top, you can see the French Alps (including Mont Blanc!), Grenoble, and the Chartreuse massif. To the west lies the Four Mountain region of the Vercors. And if you look south, you'll spot peaks like Pic Saint Michel, Grand Moucherolle and Mont Aiguille. Get your cameras ready, because the Moucherotte summit is a photographer's dream!
extremeThe unpaved drive to Unterrothorn offers stunning views
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Unterrothorn: A Peak Adventure in the Swiss Alps Want to experience one of Europe's most epic mountain roads? Head to Unterrothorn (also called Rothorn), sitting pretty at 3,109m (10,200ft) in Valais, Switzerland. This isn't your average drive—it's an adrenaline-pumping challenge that takes you to some seriously high altitude. Starting from the charming mountain resort of Zermatt—famous for world-class skiing, climbing, and hiking—you're looking at roughly 6km (3.72 miles) of pure mountain intensity. Fair warning: this road is completely unpaved and absolutely brutal, with sections so steep they'll make your palms sweat. You'll need a serious 4x4 vehicle to even attempt it, and heads up—private vehicles aren't allowed on this route (it's a chairlift access trail, so plan accordingly). Nestled in the stunning Swiss Pennine Alps, the views are absolutely worth every white-knuckle moment. You'll get panoramic vistas that'll make you forget how terrifying that last hairpin turn was. Just don't even think about attempting this in winter—the road becomes completely impassable once the snow hits. This is legit one of the highest roads in Switzerland, so if you're chasing that ultimate alpine experience, Unterrothorn delivers. Just make sure you're prepared, your vehicle is up for the challenge, and you've got the skills to match.
hardWhere is Mont du Chat?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're in the Savoie department of France, ready to tackle Mont du Chat, aka Cat's Mountain. Trust me, this climb is NO joke! We're talking serious bragging rights here. This beast of a road is tucked away in the Rhône-Alpes region, and the D42 road is your paved path to glory. And the road is in great shape! You'll be cruising (or struggling!) on smooth asphalt with hardly any other cars around. So, how steep is it REALLY? Let's just say the Tour de France riders know this climb intimately. It averages around 9% for a whopping 14.4 km, and once you're 2 km in, there's no mercy. Expect ramps hitting a brutal 15%! You'll be starting near the stunning Lac du Bourget at a measly 250 meters, only to finish up around 1,500 meters. Prepare your legs (and your lungs). The total length is 22.2 km (13.79 miles), winding east to west from Le Bourget-du-Lac to Cremaire. Keep in mind this road is closed from November to March due to snow. The reward for your pain? A parking lot, a bar-restaurant, and the Belvédère du Mont du Chat at the summit. Get ready for insane panoramic views of Lac du Bourget! Seriously, the views are worth every ounce of effort.
moderateWhere is Col de Montgenevre?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the N94, headed for the Col de Montgenèvre, a seriously cool mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,854m (6,083ft) in the French Alps. We're talking the Hautes-Alpes department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, right near the Italian border – so close you can almost taste the gelato! This isn't just any old road; it's a historic connection between France and Italy, known as Passo del Monginevro on the Italian side. For centuries, this has been a vital route, and some even think Hannibal may have crossed here with his elephants! The road stretches for about 20.6 km (12.80 miles) between Briançon, France, and Cesana Torinese, Italy. Expect some company as you drive, because this route can get pretty busy. But trust me, it's worth it for the views! Just be prepared for some steep sections. Some ramps hit an 11.7% gradient, and it's been a part of the Tour de France, so you know it's legit. Even in winter, they keep it open, so you can experience the beauty of the snow-covered Alps. The views back towards Briançon are absolutely stunning, so keep your camera ready!