
Tête de la Sallaz
France, europe
4.7 km
1,992 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Tête de la Sallaz! This peak sits way up high in the French Alps, at nearly 2,000 meters, in the Haute-Savoie region. Getting to the top is a serious 4x4 mission, not for the faint of heart!
The "road" – Chemin dit de Vormy – is more like a rough and tumble gravel track, rocky and bumpy the whole way. Think seriously steep, with gradients averaging almost 15% and hitting 20% in spots!
Forget about driving it most of the year; usually, it's snowed in from October to June. And even when it's open, be prepared for some seriously wild weather. This place is known for crazy winds and quick changes, so pack warm layers!
But trust me, the views are worth every bump and gust. From the summit, you're treated to mind-blowing panoramas of Mont Blanc and the entire valley spread out below. The climb starts near Romme on the D119 and stretches for just under 5km, with a massive 693-meter climb. Get ready for a steep one!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 4.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,992 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Silla de la Yegua?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a hidden gem for you in the Province of León, Spain: Silla de la Yegua (or Pico Cabeza de la Yegua, if you're feeling fancy). This epic peak punches 2,135 meters (that's over 7,000 feet!) into the sky, offering killer views from its summit, which is also home to some cool communication towers. You'll find it nestled south-southeast of El Bierzo, in the Castile and León region. But here's the deal: the road to the top is totally unpaved. We're talking a proper 4x4 situation. And fair warning, this climb through the Montes Aquilanos isn't for the faint of heart when winter rolls around – expect impassable conditions. The fun starts on Road LE-CV-192/21. From there, it's a 3.4 km (or a little over 2 miles) climb. Don't let the short distance fool you; you'll gain 243 meters in elevation with an average gradient of 7.14%. Get ready for a good time and views that will blow your mind!
hardColle San Carlo is an Absolute Must for Road Lovers
🇮🇹 Italy
# Colle San Carlo: A Alpine Adventure in Valle d'Aosta Tucked away in Italy's stunning Valle d'Aosta region, Colle San Carlo is a mountain pass that sits pretty at 1,954m (6,410ft) in the heart of the Graian Alps. This corner of the northwestern Alps is pure driving bliss for those who crave twisty roads and epic scenery. The fully paved Strada Regionale 39 stretches 18.5 km (11.49 miles) from La Thuile to Morgex, and here's the best part—you'll barely see another car. The road is an endless ribbon of curves and hairpin turns that'll keep you fully engaged the entire way. If you're coming from La Thuile, you're looking at a 7 km push uphill with 530 meters of elevation gain and an average gradient of 7.6%—totally manageable. But if you're tackling it from the Morgex side, buckle up: the 10.5 km climb dishes up 1,049 meters of elevation, averaging 10% with sections that hit a brutal 13%. This pass has earned its stripes, appearing multiple times in the legendary Giro d'Italia race. The steep switchbacks, the crisp mountain air, the dramatic Alpine landscape—Colle San Carlo is everything you want in a high-altitude driving experience.
hardTelescaun Straja
🇷🇴 Romania
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a gem for you: Telescaun Straja, a chairlift hanging out at a cool 6,085 feet in Romania's Transylvania, smack-dab in Hunedoara County. This isn't your average Sunday drive. Think rugged. Think rocky. Think *gravel.* We're talking a service trail snaking up the Vâlcan Mountains. It's STEEP, people, like ridiculously so, with loose stones just waiting to test your driving skills. Some sections climb at a 30% grade! The window to tackle this beast is tiny – maybe late August if you're lucky. And the wind? Forget about it! This place is a wind tunnel year-round, and even in summer, you might get a surprise visit from Jack Frost. Winter? Brutal. But if you're up for the challenge, the views are supposed to be insane. Just remember, it's a ski station service road, so be prepared for some serious uphill action.
hardAdventure along the abandoned Old Mam Tor road
🇬🇧 England
Okay, picture this: you're in the stunning High Peak of Derbyshire, surrounded by classic English countryside. You stumble upon a ghost road - Old Mam Tor, a stretch of asphalt abandoned back in '79 due to some seriously persistent landslips. This wasn't just any road, though. Once upon a time, this section of the A625, nicknamed "The New Road," was the main artery between Manchester and Sheffield. Built in 1819, it dared to cut right across the Mam Tor landslide. Locals called Mam Tor the "Shivering Mountain" for a reason! Located near the village of Castleton, where Hope Valley begins, the road constantly shifted and cracked due to the unstable ground, requiring endless repairs. Eventually, after nearly 160 years of battling the elements, it was deemed a lost cause. Now, it's a 2-mile-long (3.21km) stretch of broken pavement, locally known as the "Broken Road" or "The Shattered Road." While impassable to cars (a wooden gate blocks the way), you can still walk it. Be warned: it gets pretty steep in places, with gradients hitting 10% in some spots. You're rewarded with some incredible views, a reminder of nature's power and the fleeting nature of human endeavors.