Pas des Sables, a road through a lunar landscape
France, europe
16.7 km
2,374 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Pas des Sables, a lunar landscape right here on Earth! This mountain pass tops out at a cool 2,374m (7,788ft) on the east side of Réunion Island.
You'll cruise along Route Forestière 5 du Volcan, or Volcano Road as the locals call it. Don't let the "paved" part fool you – it's steep and otherworldly! Pro-tip: even on a sunny day, that lava reflects like crazy, so sunscreen and a hat are a must. And trust me, the weather can change in a heartbeat. Fog rolls in, visibility drops, so give yourself plenty of time. This area gets serious rain, especially during storm season.
The road stretches for about 16.7 km (10.37 miles), climbing 757 meters along the way. That's an average grade of 4.53%, so hold on tight! You'll find a bunch of parking up top, and the road actually ends at a similar spot, Col de Saint-Barnabé, just a bit lower at 2,361m (7,746ft). Get ready for views you won't believe!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 16.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,374 m
- Difficulty
- easy
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