The road to Crete de la Pendine is not for the faint of heart

The road to Crete de la Pendine is not for the faint of heart

France, europe

Length

6.7 km

Elevation

2,705 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Crête de la Pendine

Want to experience one of France's most thrilling mountain drives? Head to the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France, where you'll find Crête de la Pendine towering at 2,705m (8,874ft) – seriously one of the highest roads you can drive in the country.

This isn't your typical scenic cruise. Starting from Station 1600, the 6.7 km (4.16 miles) route to the summit is pure adrenaline. We're talking a completely unpaved chairlift access trail that's brutally steep and narrow, with a punishing 14.92% average gradient and 1,000m of elevation gain. Yeah, your brakes will be working overtime.

Nestled in the Massif des Écrins of the French Alps, this adventure is strictly a summer-only affair – and you'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle it. But if you're up for the challenge and your vehicle is up to spec, you'll be rewarded with some absolutely spectacular alpine scenery.

Where is it?

The road to Crete de la Pendine is not for the faint of heart is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.7183, 2.7600

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
6.7 km
Max Elevation
2,705 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
46.7183, 2.7600

Related Roads in europe

Passo del Scengiohard

Passo del Scengio

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Passo del Scengio Ready for a serious alpine adventure? Passo del Scengio sits at a pretty impressive 2,215 meters (7,267 feet) in the Viamala Region of Graubünden, Switzerland—and trust me, getting there is half the experience. Fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road climbs as a rough gravel and rocky track that's decidedly narrow and steep, and honestly, the condition has deteriorated so much that it's now closed to regular vehicles. You'll need serious clearance and genuine off-road skills to tackle this one. But here's what makes it special—as you wind your way up, you'll spot fascinating remnants from old dam and tunnel construction projects scattered along the route. It's like stumbling through industrial history while surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. If you're the type who loves exploring forgotten infrastructure and don't mind a challenging drive through dramatic mountain terrain, Passo del Scengio is definitely worth adding to your bucket list.

The Wild Road to Coll de Triado in Lleidahard

The Wild Road to Coll de Triado in Lleida

🇪🇸 Spain

# Coll de Triadó: A Mountain Adventure Worth the Challenge Ready to tackle one seriously epic mountain pass? Coll de Triadó sits pretty at 2,172m (7,125ft) in Lleida province, Catalonia, and it's absolutely not your average Sunday drive. This beast of a road starts in the charming town of Espui and climbs 11.5km (7.14 miles) through 30 absolutely gnarly hairpin turns. You'll gain 922m of elevation with an average gradient that hovers around 8%, which means your knuckles might be white by the time you reach the top. Fair warning: the entire route is unpaved and seriously narrow in spots, so a 4x4 is basically essential if you're planning to attempt this. But here's the thing—the views are absolutely spectacular. You're looking at breathtaking vistas of Vall Fosca and the dramatic Pallars Sobirà region stretched out below you. The pass sits right within Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, so you're driving through some genuinely stunning Catalan landscape. One important heads-up: winter can slam this pass shut without warning. Bad weather rolls in quickly at this elevation, so if you're thinking about attempting Coll de Triadó between November and March, check conditions first. But if you catch it during the right season? You're in for an unforgettable mountain experience.

Galleria di Rosazza is a Narrow, Damp, and Dark Tunnel in Piedmonthard

Galleria di Rosazza is a Narrow, Damp, and Dark Tunnel in Piedmont

🇮🇹 Italy

# Galleria di Rosazza: A Hauntingly Beautiful Alpine Adventure Want to experience something truly unforgettable? Head to the Province of Biella in Piedmont, northern Italy, where the legendary Galleria di Rosazza awaits. Perched at 1,497m (4,911ft) above sea level, this 350-meter hand-carved tunnel is basically a time capsule from the 1890s—literally blasted through the mountain to connect the Cervo and Oropa valleys. Named after Senator Federico Rosazza Pistolet, who dreamed up this ingenious feat, the tunnel originally housed a workers' inn and laboratory. Today? It's pure atmospheric magic. Picture this: narrow, damp, pitch-black, and completely straight as an arrow. The Strada Provinciale Rosazza-Oropa winds through it, welcomable to cars, motorbikes, and mountain bikes (sorry, camper fans—you'll need to sit this one out). The real thrill starts before you even enter the tunnel. There's a charming restaurant just outside on the east side serving up views that'll make your jaw drop. Then comes the drive itself—surrounded by soaring mountains on both sides, with wickedly fun cliffside roads that'll get your adrenaline pumping. Fair warning though: the Alpi Biellesi don't play nice. Winter weather can be brutal, potentially closing the tunnel temporarily, and avalanches and rockslides aren't exactly rare. But if you've got the skills and the nerve, this is one Alpine experience that'll stick with you forever.

Driving to Kistefjell: One of the Gnarliest Roads in Norwayextreme

Driving to Kistefjell: One of the Gnarliest Roads in Norway

🇳🇴 Norway

# Kistefjell: Norway's Peak with a View Kistefjell is a 1,001-meter (3,284ft) mountain peak that stands out in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway—mainly because of the massive TV mast planted right on top. Nestled between Gisundet to the west and Rossfjordvatnet to the east, this summit has some serious broadcasting credentials. That iconic 78-meter-high transmitter—nicknamed Tårnet på Kistefjell—is basically the mountain's claim to fame. Originally standing at 60 meters, it got a growth spurt in summer 2008 when they extended it to 78 meters for the digital TV network rollout. Since 1964, it's been pumping out FM radio signals, and TV broadcasts started flowing in 1966. The mast is visible for miles around and even hosts one of the Norwegian Meteorological Institute's weather stations. Now, here's where things get real: the road to the summit is no leisurely drive. Built back in the 1960s, this entirely unpaved route climbs a punishing 8.9 km (5.53 miles) from the paved Fv86, gaining 988 meters of elevation with an average gradient of 11.10%. You'll need serious 4x4 credentials and nerves of steel to tackle this beast. The weather up here is absolutely brutal, especially in winter. Ice and heavy snow can make the road impassable without warning, and conditions can shut things down at any moment. Seriously, don't attempt this in winter unless you've got genuine mountain driving experience and a death wish.