Road D25C

Road D25C

France, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

1.9 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

D25C is a very challenging mountain road located on the border of Aude department and Ariège department in southwestern France.

The road runs entirely over 1.900m above the sea level. It’s asphalted but very narrow, impassable for 2 cars at the same time. The road creates a shorcut between

The road is not plowed in winters. There’s a high risk of rock slides. The drive is pretty steep. It’s 550m long with an elevation gain of 72 meters. The average gradient is 13.09%.

A challenging road to Col de Creu in the Pyrenees

Crete de la Serre Thibaud

Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our

to discover the most spectacular roads of the world

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click

 to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
1.9 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

How challenging is the drive to the top of La Norma?hard

How challenging is the drive to the top of La Norma?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for La Norma in the French Alps! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a high-altitude service road that climbs to over 2,584 meters in the Savoie region, right inside the stunning Vanoise National Park. Think you can handle it? The ascent starts near something and goes on for less than 9 kilometers. But here's the kicker: you'll gain almost 1,200 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of over 13%! On loose gravel, that’s a serious test of your machine's grip and power. You absolutely NEED a 4WD with high clearance and low-range gears. The road throws 14 hairpin turns at you as it snakes up the mountain. And get this: it's narrow! One wrong move, and you're staring down a massive drop with no guardrails. If it's wet, the dirt turns to slick mud, making those tight corners even more treacherous. Not for the faint of heart! Beyond the steepness, the weather is the real beast. Up at that altitude, visibility can disappear in seconds, even in summer. And a quick storm can turn the track into a total mess. Plus, you're on your own up there – no facilities, no help. Solitude is cool, but you better be prepared for anything. If you're an experienced off-roader, the panoramic views of the Savoie peaks from the top are absolutely worth the white-knuckle drive. Just remember, this "chairlift road" is one of the toughest climbs in France.

Where is Riedberg Pass?moderate

Where is Riedberg Pass?

🇩🇪 Germany

Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the Oberallgäu district of Germany, close enough to Austria you could practically wave hello. You're heading up, and up, and up to the Riedbergpass, a sweet mountain pass topping out at 1,407m (4,616ft). The road, Riedbergstraße (OA9), is smooth as butter all the way to the top, where you’ll find a parking lot to stretch your legs and soak in those Allgäu Alps views. Just a heads up, big rigs aren’t allowed, so leave the semi at home. This beauty is just under 20 km (12 miles) from the Austrian border to Fischen. The western side will test your legs (or your engine) with ramps hitting a grunty 16%. Get ready for a killer downhill into Austria. The other side? Hold on tight for a mind-blowing 19% grade as you climb from Fischen. Seriously, the views and the drive are unforgettable!

Pico Papelesmoderate

Pico Papeles

🇪🇸 Spain

# Pico Papeles: Spain's High-Altitude Adventure Want to experience some serious altitude? Head to Pico Papeles in Granada, Andalusia, where you'll climb to a whopping 2,353 meters (7,719 feet) above sea level. This isn't just any mountain pass—it's one of Spain's highest drivable roads, and it's absolutely worth the adventure. Nestled in the stunning Sierra Nevada National Park, this route is pure off-road thrills. You'll need a sturdy 4x4 to tackle the unpaved mountain track, but trust me, the journey is worth every bump. As you wind your way up, you're treated to absolutely breathtaking views of the snowy peaks of Mulhacén and Veleta dominating the horizon. It's the kind of scenery that makes you understand why people fall in love with mountain driving. Fair warning though: this elevation comes with serious attitude. Expect fierce winds that'll test your driving skills and weather that can change faster than you can say "Sierra Nevada." One minute you might have crystal-clear alpine views, the next you could be navigating through clouds. The peak is also known locally as Loma de Papeles, so don't be confused if you see both names on maps. This is peak-bagging at its finest—literally.

Georgia, the Country: Where the Roads Are as Wild as the Mountainsextreme

Georgia, the Country: Where the Roads Are as Wild as the Mountains

🇬🇪 Georgia

Most people picture peaches and sweet tea when they think of Georgia, but forget that! We're talking about the *other* Georgia, the one nestled between Russia and Turkey. This place is a knockout, all ancient history, delicious wine, and landscapes that will leave your jaw on the floor. Think deep valleys, medieval towers, and mountain roads that twist and shout through the Caucasus. And those roads? Oh man, they're gorgeous, but they're also seriously wild. Forget Sunday driving, you're plunging INTO the mountains, often above the clouds, hugging cliff edges that seem to crumble as you pass, and sometimes even splashing through riverbeds that double as roads when it rains. Tourists land in Tbilisi, fall head-over-heels for khinkali and Georgian hospitality, and then think, "Let's hit the mountains!" Sounds epic, right? It is. But unless you're ready for it, that postcard-perfect dream can turn into a real-life nightmare, fast. Take Abano Pass, for instance. It's the only road into the remote Tusheti region, and it's one of the highest drivable passes in Europe – clocking in at over 9,000 feet! We're talking dirt, narrow, often muddy roads with zero guardrails. One tiny mistake, one moment of distraction, and you're not just sliding, you're... well, you're dropping. Hundreds of feet. In winter, this pass is totally shut down, buried under snow and ice. Spring brings landslides. Summer? You'll be dodging tourist SUVs while trying not to run over herds of sheep. There's barely enough room for one car, let alone two! And that's just one example. Roads like the one to Shatili (via Datvisjvari Pass) or Goderdzi Pass in the south are just as dramatic. Pavement can turn to gravel without warning. "Paved" in Georgia can mean anything from smooth asphalt to broken concrete and loose rocks. The raw beauty of the Caucasus Mountains comes with a price. Driving here isn't a joke, it's an act of respect. Georgian drivers seem fearless for a reason: they grew up on these roads. But if you're used to wide American highways and generous shoulders, the learning curve is crazy steep, and sometimes pretty vertical. One traveler told me he rented an SUV in Kutaisi and tried to drive to Mestia in Svaneti. His GPS took him via Ushguli, one of the highest villages in Europe. What the map *didn't* tell him? The "road" was barely wider than his car, clinging to a cliff, and hadn't seen any love in years. He ended up reversing almost a mile downhill after meeting a logging truck with no room to pass. "It was the most beautiful and terrifying drive of my life," he said. "I honestly thought we were going to die more than once.” His story is pretty common. Google Maps doesn't factor in landslides, rockfalls, or the fact that a "road" might be a dry riverbed one minute and a raging river the next. Locals know which turns to avoid, which roads to skip in the rain, and when to turn back. Most tourists don't. In Georgia, the weather doesn't just change, it FLIPS. You can be cruising under a sunny sky and, fifteen minutes later, find yourself in thick fog, icy rain, or even snow – even in summer! The elevation changes are insane. That sunny valley you just left might be thousands of feet below the pass you're heading for. Abano Pass is usually only open from June to early October, and even then, it's unpredictable. A rainstorm can cause a landslide and shut it down for hours, or even days. Datvisjvari, on the way to Khevsureti and Shatili, often closes without warning too. It's not just rain. Fog is a HUGE deal, especially early in the morning or evening. Visibility can drop to zero, and with no lights, no lines, and no guardrails, you're basically driving blind. If you're hitting the mountains, start early. Always check local reports – and don't trust your weather app too much. Locals, guesthouse owners, and gas station attendants often know way more than your phone does. Seriously, think twice before renting that cute little sedan. Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's safe. Lots of mountain roads in Georgia should *only* be attempted with a true 4x4 with high clearance. And no, I'm not talking about a crossover, I mean a REAL off-roader. Even then, your tires are important. Some rental places give you SUVs with bald tires – great for the city, but terrifying on wet clay or loose gravel. Before you drive off, check your spare tire, check the jack, make sure the handbrake works, and ask for a real map if you're leaving the cities behind, because cell service disappears fast in the mountains. Here's a pro tip: if you're not sure a road is passable, see what the local marshrutkas (minibuses) do. If they're not going that way, you probably shouldn't either. Not all rental companies offer full insurance that covers off-road or mountain driving, so ask about coverage for gravel roads, river crossings, and high-altitude areas. If you crash or break down in the middle of nowhere, help might not arrive quickly. Cell coverage is spotty at best, and in some areas, it's nonexistent. Emergency numbers are responsive, but they might not be able to find you exactly. So, tell someone where you're going: a hotel, a friend, even your rental company. Tell them your route and when you expect to arrive. Most roadside areas are too narrow to stop safely. If you do break down, try to find a wider spot or a pull-off where you're visible. Turn on your hazard lights and get away from the car, especially on blind corners. Locals are usually friendly and helpful, so if someone stops to help, they probably mean it. But, don't count on passing traffic, especially in Tusheti or high Svaneti. Some roads see less than ten cars a day. There are no "turnaround zones" in the high mountains. If the road looks sketchy and you're unsure, turn back early. Don't think it'll get better, because it probably won't. Driving through the mountains of Georgia is one of the most amazing experiences you can have. The views are incredible, the roads are wild, and the feeling of freedom is unlike anything else. But so is the risk. These aren't highways, they're narrow paths carved into rock, ice, and mud. They demand respect, focus, and humility. If you're going for it, be prepared. Know your limits. Rent the right car. Check the weather. Ask the locals. And most of all, don't let your ego get in the way of good judgment. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do on these roads is turn around.