
Road D218
France, europe
28 km
1,410 m
easy
Year-round
The Route Départementale D218 (RD218) is an absolutely stunning drive tucked away in the Isère department of southeastern France. This 28km winding mountain route stretches north-south from the charming village of Saint-Quentin-sur-Isère up toward Autrans, and it's easily one of the most scenic stretches you can experience in the region.
What makes this road so special is its location within the Vercors Natural Regional Park—you're basically driving through some of France's most breathtaking alpine scenery. The fully paved surface makes it accessible year-round (weather permitting), but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a casual cruise. This is a legitimate mountain pass that climbs to 1,410 meters (4,625 feet) elevation, and the views are absolutely worth every hairpin turn.
Fair warning: rockslides are a genuine concern in certain sections, so you'll want to stay alert and check conditions before heading out. There's also the Tunnel du Mortier to contend with—this notorious passage is currently closed, which means you'll need to work around it, but honestly, the alternative routes through the park are spectacular anyway.
If you're into winding roads, Alpine scenery, and a bit of adventure, the D218 definitely delivers. Just come prepared, take your time, and soak in those incredible Vercors views.
Where is it?
Road D218 is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.9341, 2.1526
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 28 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,410 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 45.9341, 2.1526
Related Roads in europe
hardIs N232 Road paved?
🇵🇹 Portugal
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits on Portugal's N232! This mountain road, nestled in the heart of central Portugal, is not for the faint of heart. We're talking twisty-turny to the MAX. Seriously, some sections are switchback city! The road's paved and generally in good nick, offering some surprisingly fast corners. Just be warned, it gets pretty narrow in places. You'll climb to a whopping 1,427m (that's 4,681ft!) above sea level, with some ramps hitting an 8% gradient! How long is this epic drive? It stretches for 86.6 km (53.81 miles) from Mangualde (off the A25) to Belmonte (connecting to the N18). Budget about 2 hours to soak it all in. And is it worth it? Absolutely! You'll be cruising through the stunning Serra da Estrela Mountains, with views that'll blow your mind. The most intense section is a 37km (23 miles) stretch between Gouveia and Manteigas, boasting over 100 turns! Get ready for a white-knuckle ride with incredible scenery.
extremeDriving the steep D308 to Col de la Ramaz: The challenge of Tunnel de Sommand
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Ramaz: Alpine Drama Meets World-Class Views Perched at 1,619m (5,311ft) in the Haute-Savoie region of France, Col de la Ramaz is the kind of mountain pass that gets your adrenaline pumping before you even start driving. This isn't just any Alpine crossing—it's a Tour de France legend that connects the Giffre valley to the Praz de Lys ski area, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. The real magic (and challenge) happens on the 14 km ascent from Mieussy, where you'll tackle some seriously steep gradients pushing 10-12% as you approach the notorious Tunnel de Sommand. This isn't a gentle cruise—your cooling system and brakes are going to earn their keep, especially if you're piloting a campervan or towing anything substantial. Now, the Tunnel de Sommand is where things get properly intense. Built to bypass a sketchy section of road literally hanging off a limestone cliff, this narrow, dimly-lit passage is the definition of a "balcony road." Even with modern improvements, it remains genuinely thrilling—damp pavement in summer, minimal visibility, and heart-stopping glimpses of the drop through rock openings. Add cyclists (tons of them) into the mix, and you've got a section demanding 100% focus. After you punch through the tunnel, the landscape opens up beautifully onto the Sommand plateau. It's your moment to breathe before the final push to the 1,619m summit, where the reward is absolutely worth it: Mont Blanc and its snow-capped peaks dominate the horizon on clear days. It's genuinely stunning. The full 23 km route runs west to east and eventually feeds into the D902—part of the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes. Just remember: descending back toward Mieussy requires serious brake discipline. Use your engine to control speed on those continuous steep sections and tight turns, or you'll risk overheating your brakes spectacularly. Best driving windows? Late May through October. Winter closures due to snow and storms are common, so timing matters. It's a road that perfectly blends Alpine beauty with technical driving that demands respect.
hardA gravel road to Col des Laquets in the French Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Col des Laquets: A True Pyrenean Adventure Looking for an ultimate mountain challenge? Col des Laquets sits pretty at 2,637 meters (8,651 feet) high in the French Pyrenees, nestled in the Hautes-Pyrénées department. This is seriously high-altitude territory. Starting from the gift shop at Col du Tourmalet, you're looking at a 5.6 km (3.47 miles) white-knuckle climb that'll gain you 566 meters of elevation. We're talking an average gradient of 10.10%, with some sections hitting a brutal 24% — this isn't for the faint of heart or inexperienced drivers. Here's the thing: this isn't your typical paved road. It's unpaved, loose, and seriously steep. You'll navigate narrow, cliff-lined stretches and pass through two short tunnels that add to the drama. Fair warning — snow can block the route even into late June, so timing matters. While cars hit a locked gate partway up (sorry, four-wheelers!), hikers and cyclists are welcome to push through. The payoff? Absolutely breathtaking views of the central Pyrenees that'll make every hairpin turn worth it. There's talk of building Hôtellerie des Laquets on top, which could eventually mean a paved surface — but for now, you're getting the raw, untamed mountain experience. Bonus: Pic du Midi de Bigorre is just a short walk beyond the pass if you want to extend your adventure.
hardPlocken Pass-Monte Croce Carnico Pass is an absolute must for road lovers
🇮🇹 Italy
# Plöckenpass-Passo di Monte Croce Carnico Tucked high in the Carnic Alps at 1,370m (4,494ft), this mountain pass sits right on the border between Austria and Italy, connecting the Province of Udine in northeastern Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region with Spittal an der Drau in Austria's Carinthia. Fun fact: merchants have been trading through here since medieval times, using it as a crucial link between Aquileia and Salzburg. The fully paved road stretches 60km (37 miles) from Tolmezzo, Italy, to Obersburg, Austria, and it's not for the faint of heart. Expect twelve hairpin bends and four tunnels on your ascent, with gradients reaching a steep 13%. The drive is genuinely exhilarating—especially once you get the hang of the tight turns and start descending toward Italy. Just watch out for potential rockslides, and remember that some sections are pretty narrow. The good news? The pass stays open year-round in most conditions, and you can typically drive it end-to-end in 1 to 1.5 hours. History buffs will love this route. The summit area is scattered with remnants of WWI bunkers and tunnels, and there's an open-air museum with restored trenches and fortifications that really bring the region's wartime past to life. The pass's Italian name, Passo Monte Croce Carnico, actually comes from its medieval name—Kreuzberg or Monte Crucis, literally "Cross Mountain." Pretty cool piece of Alpine history on wheels.