Road trip guide: Conquering Gorges de la Spelunca
France, europe
9 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Corsica, west coast, sunshine... and the Gorges de la Spelunca! This canyon road, snaking between Ota and Évisa (east of Porto), is a total stunner. We're talking dramatic landscapes carved out by the Spelunca river itself.
The D124, all paved don't worry, stretches for about 9km (that's 5.5 miles for my American friends) from Porto up to the D84. Now, fair warning: if you're not a fan of twisty-turny roads, this might test your patience. It's a classic Corsican seaside drive – super curvy and pretty darn narrow.
Speaking of narrow, keep your eyes peeled! This route gets busy, especially in the summer months. You WILL want to stop and snap some pics (trust me), but please, please, PLEASE don't block the road or park willy-nilly. Find a safe spot, soak in those views, and keep the traffic flowing! Rock slides are also a risk so keep an eye out!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 9 km
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremeExplore the Legendary Les Grands Goulets: a French balcony road
🇫🇷 France
# Les Grands Goulets: France's Most Dramatic (and Closed) Mountain Road Picture this: it's the 1840s in the French Alps, and the isolated residents of Vercors are tired of feeling cut off from the world. So what do they do? They decide to carve a road directly into the mountainside—no modern machinery, just rope ladders, dynamite, and sheer determination. Between 1844 and 1851, workers somehow managed to blast their way through the rock to create Les Grands Goulets, one of France's most legendary balcony roads. The road itself is tiny—just 1.7 km snaking through the Drôme department between Pont-en-Royans and the Vercors plateau. What it lacks in length, it makes up for in drama. Carved into the cliff face and hanging above the Vernaison river, the route takes you through a series of jaw-dropping passages: under towering rock arches, through sections so narrow the cliffs practically touch overhead, and into a shadowy gorge where daylight barely penetrates. It genuinely feels like driving through a cave. The constant moisture and darkness mean the road stays perpetually mossy and slick—not exactly confidence-inspiring when you're perched on a narrow ledge. Here's the thing though: you can't drive it anymore. The road closed to all traffic in 2005 after a series of rockfalls and accidents, and it's stayed that way ever since. Today, a modern tunnel runs beneath it, and the old road functions solely as an emergency exit. No cars, no cyclists, no hikers—nothing. Despite decades of speculation about reopening it for adventurous travelers, authorities have made it clear: Les Grands Goulets is permanently off-limits, a ghost road that once took travelers on a white-knuckle 156-year journey through the mountains.
moderateWhere is Sela de Culac?
🇮🇹 Italy
Cruising through South Tyrol? You HAVE to check out Sela de Culac, also known as Sella del Culaç or Kulatsch Satte! This epic mountain pass sits pretty high at 2,020m (6,627ft) in the Dolomites, west of , in Val Gardena. The road itself? Totally paved – it's part of Strada Statale 243 (SS243). Get ready for some seriously steep climbs, though, with gradients hitting a punchy 11% in places! This beauty was first carved out during World War I, and got its full road treatment in 1960. Keep an eye out for cyclists – especially since this route's been featured in the legendary Giro d’Italia. The pass stretches for 15 km (9.32 miles) from Plan De Gralba to Colfosco. Heads up: there are rock slide areas, and it gets bustling with tourists, bikers, and cyclists in the summer months. But is it worth the hype? Absolutely! The views are insane, with the mighty Sasslong / Sassolungo looming in the background. Seriously, you're talking postcard-perfect Dolomite Alps scenery. At the top, you'll find Hotel Chalet Gerard, plus a parking spot to soak it all in. Trust me, this drive is unforgettable.
hardHow to get by car to Old Tragjas, the Abandoned Village Destroyed by Bombs
🇦🇱 Albania
Okay, picture this: you're in Albania, about 25km from Vlora, heading to a ghost village called Tragjasi i Vjetër. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks! The road? Let's just say "unpaved" is an understatement. We're talking rugged, narrow, and definitely not for the faint of heart (or your motorhome). A higher-clearance car is your best bet for this adventure. The road kicks off from the new Tragjas village and stretches for about 5.1 km (3.16 miles), climbing 263 meters. That's an average gradient of 5.15%, so buckle up for a climb. The scenery, though? Totally worth it. Think jaw-dropping vistas and panoramic views. You'll wind your way up to the Pass of the Tombs – a spot named for the ancient tombs scattered around. This shaped hill offers insane views of Orikum and the coastline. Tragjasi i Vjetër is an old village in ruins located in Vlorë County, Albania. It's structurally dangerous and you should proceed with caution. The town was bombed in 1943 because of partisan sympathies. This place oozes history and the architectural remnants are seriously cool. If you're into exploring ruins and soaking up some seriously epic scenery, Tragjasi i Vjetër needs to be on your radar!
hardHow to drive to Alpage d'Eison in the Val d'Hérens?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Alpage d'Eison: A Swiss Alpine Adventure Tucked away in Switzerland's Valais region, Alpage d'Eison sits at a breathtaking 2,400m (7,874ft) in the heart of the Pennine Alps. This isn't just any mountain spot—it's a working alpine pasture where cattle spend their summers grazing on lush hillside meadows, surrounded by dramatic 4,000-meter peaks that'll make your jaw drop. Located in the District of Hérens, the alpage overlooks the charming village of Saint-Martin and sits just west of Lac de Moiry. When you arrive, you'll find a picturesque cluster of traditional stone and wooden buildings that look straight out of a postcard. Now, let's talk about getting there. Starting from Saint-Martin, the road stretches 10.7 km (6.64 miles) and climbs 952m—that's an average gradient of nearly 9%. But here's the kicker: this is a proper mountain track, unpaved and seriously narrow. In most spots, only one vehicle can squeeze through at a time, so meeting another car means someone's backing up. The technical driving is real too. Expect 12 sharp hairpin turns whipping back and forth as you gain elevation, all on a rugged surface that demands respect. This is the kind of road that rewards careful, confident driving and absolutely thrills cycling enthusiasts willing to tackle the challenge.