Sommet de la Saulire, one of the highest roads of France
France, europe
N/A
2,697 m
hard
Year-round
# Sommet de la Saulire
Ready for some real Alpine adventure? Sommet de la Saulire sits at a seriously impressive 2,697m (8,848ft) in the stunning Massif de la Vanoise range, nestled in the Savoie department of the French Alps. This is legitimately one of France's highest roads—no casual Sunday drive here.
The unpaved route winds through Vanoise National Park with all the character you'd expect: gravel, rocks, and plenty of bumpy sections that'll keep you on your toes. This isn't a road for the faint of heart (literally—those mountain views drop off dramatically). You'll need solid experience with mountain driving on unimproved surfaces, because the steep grades and muddy patches when it rains are no joke.
Fair warning: this road is completely impassable from October through May, so summer trips only. If you're uncomfortable with heights or haven't tackled gnarly mountain roads before, skip this one. But if you're an experienced driver looking for an unforgettable Alpine challenge? This is your call.
The payoff? Stunning panoramic views across the Vanoise and a proper restaurant (Le Panoramic) waiting for you at the summit to refuel and soak it all in.
Where is it?
Sommet de la Saulire, one of the highest roads of France is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.0510, 3.4655
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,697 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.0510, 3.4655
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Kneiff?
🌍 Luxembourg
Kneiff is a hill at an elevation of (1,837ft) above sea level, located in the commune of Troisvierges, in the canton of Clervaux in Luxembourg. At this elevation, it is the The hill is located in the , on the Ösling plateau between the villages of Huldange and Wemperhaard, in the northern part of the country, near the shared with Belgium and Germany. Is Kneiff the Highest Point of Luxembourg? Located close to the town of Wilwerdange in the northern Ardennes region, it was not long ago that was definitively determined to be the country’s For a long time, the nearby hill of Buurgplaatz (sometimes spelled Burrigplatz), located just about 1 km away, was mistakenly considered the highest point in the country. This belief was due to the Buurgplaatz elevation being measured at approximately 559 meters (558.35 m, as you noted). There is a tower there, yet, with a sign next to it that still claims it to be the country's summit, preserving the The change in title came after a modern, precise digital survey in . Using GPS technology, Luxembourg cartographers confirmed that Kneiff is actually about than Buurgplaatz. Since , Kneiff has officially held the title, correcting the long-standing record. How to Get by Car to Kneiff? Tucked away in the Ardennes, the road to the summit is mostly paved. Only the final part is unpaved. Starting from the roundabout at Wemperhaard, the drive is (0.86 miles) long. Follow the towards Huldange for 1 km and take a turnoff to the left for 200m. National Highway 25, a curvy road along the Wiltz river 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.
hardBalcon du Bozelet
🇫🇷 France
Okay, so you're looking for adventure? Then buckle up and point your rig towards the Balcon du Bozelet, a mountain-top restaurant chilling at a cool 2,411 meters (that's 7,910 feet!) in the French Alps. We're talking Savoie department, deep in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, inside the northern part of Vanoise National Park. Now, heads up: this ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. The track up there is rocky, bumpy, and can get a little tippy – all part of the fun, right? Best to hit this one between late June and October; otherwise, snow's likely to shut it down. Even in summer, keep an eye on the forecast – you might catch some late-season snow! Temps get brutal here, and the wind? Let's just say it's consistently *enthusiastic*. This is a trail for experienced off-roaders, and trust me, you'll want a 4x4. It’s STEEP, with grades hitting 10% in spots. And if you're not a fan of heights, maybe grab a postcard instead. But the reward? Absolutely unreal views from the top. Seriously, the panoramas are worth every white-knuckle moment!
moderateMonte Colmo
🇮🇹 Italy
# Monte Colmo Tucked away in Lombardy's stunning High Camonica valley, Monte Colmo is a serious alpine challenge sitting pretty at 1,933 meters (6,341 feet). This mountain pass in Italy's Brescia province isn't messing around—it's a real test of your driving skills and nerves. The paved route, Via Monte Colmo, climbs an intense 12.5 kilometers starting from the charming town of Edolo (675m). What makes this pass particularly thrilling? Several tunnels punctuate the ascent, including one seriously long stretch that's unlit—so definitely pack some headlights and a sense of adventure. With an average gradient of 9.4% and sections hitting a brutal 12%, this isn't your casual Sunday drive. The consistent, punishing climbs demand respect and attention, making every hairpin and switchback feel like you've earned it. If you're after authentic alpine driving with real elevation gains and dramatic mountain scenery, Monte Colmo delivers the goods.
hardDiscovering the secrets of Galleria dei Saraceni, a high-altitude tunnel in Piedmont
🇮🇹 Italy
# Galleria dei Saraceni: A Wild Alpine Adventure Tucked away in Italy's Piedmont region at a whopping 2,224 meters (7,296 feet) above sea level, the Galleria dei Saraceni is the kind of tunnel that'll make your heart race. Originally built as a military road during WWI, this historic route—also called Strada militare Fenil-Pramand-Föens-Jafferau or Strada militare 79—got its finishing touches between 1925 and 1929. Fair warning: this isn't your typical tunnel drive. The Galleria Monte Seguret (yes, it has multiple names!) features a gravelled surface, serious inclines, and a nail-bitingly narrow width of just 3 meters. You'll need nerves of steel, nerves, and serious driving chops to tackle it safely. The golden rule here? Take it slow and steady—no heroics. Stretching 876 meters through the southwestern Alps, this unlit passage is genuinely eerie. Zero electric lights means you're navigating by flashlight (absolutely essential!), and the unlined stone walls weep constantly. Expect potholes brimming with water, dripping echoes overhead, and occasionally water streams inches deep flooding sections of the road. It's atmospheric, moody, and definitely unnerving. Is it exhilarating? Absolutely. Is it for everyone? Honestly, no. But if you're up for an unforgettable adventure through one of the Alps' most character-filled passages, Galleria dei Saraceni won't disappoint.