The wild road to Col du Granon in the French Alps
France, europe
10.5 km
2,413 m
hard
Year-round
# Col du Granon
Perched at a breathtaking 2,413 meters (7,916 feet) in the Hautes-Alpes region of southeastern France, Col du Granon is a hidden gem tucked into the French Alps—just north of Briançon, France's highest city.
The D234T road climbing to the summit is a fully paved roller coaster of switchbacks and steep pitches on the south side (though the north side transforms into a gnarly dirt track if you're feeling adventurous on a gravel or mountain bike). What makes Granon special? It's genuinely quieter than its famous neighboring passes, giving you a more intimate Alpine experience.
Starting from Saint-Chaffrey, you're looking at a 10.5 km (6.5-mile) slog that climbs 975 meters with an average gradient of 9.28%—but don't be fooled by that average. The road gets absolutely brutal in sections, hitting a whopping 15.9% gradient that'll test your legs (or your car's transmission). Helpful kilometer markers display the gradient percentage as you climb, so you know exactly what's coming.
This pass has serious pedigree: it hosted the Tour de France in 1986 as the highest summit finish of a stage—a record that stood for 25 years until Col du Galibier took over. At the top, you'll find the Buvette Du Granon bar-restaurant, a parking lot, and some fascinating military remnants. From here, you can branch out to Col de Barteaux, Col de Cibières, or Porte de Cristol for even more Alpine exploration.
Where is it?
The wild road to Col du Granon in the French Alps is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.6676, 1.5192
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 10.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,413 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 45.6676, 1.5192
Related Roads in europe
extremeSelle Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
Passo le Selle is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.536m (8,320ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. High winds blow here all year long. It’s one of the highest roads of the country. The road to the summit is gravel, rocky and treacherous. The drive offers stunning views of the enchanting Dolomites. 4wd vehicle required. Near the pass ruins of barracks from WWI can still be observed. At the summit is a mountain refuge known as Rifugio Passo le Selle. The road is usually passable in the summer season, from the beginning of June to - weather permitting - the first days of October. Altitude and extreme weather are always a factor at any time of year. 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.
hardAlto de la Magdalena
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in northern Spain, nestled in the southern part of Asturias within the stunning Somiedo Natural Park, you'll find the Alto de la Magdalena. This beast of a mountain pass tops out at 1,565m (5,134ft), and let me tell you, the road to get there is no joke! We're talking gravel, rocks, and some seriously tricky sections. A high-clearance 4WD isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. The weather here in the Cantabrian Mountains can be brutal and change on a dime, so be prepared for anything. While technically open year-round, winter closures are common thanks to the harsh conditions. Only tackle this route when it's dry, and always, ALWAYS check the conditions beforehand. But trust me, if you're a nature lover, the effort is worth it. The views are absolutely breathtaking. This place is rugged, wild, and spectacularly beautiful!
hardA wild road to Ushguli in Goergia, the highest town in Europe
🇬🇪 Georgia
Way up in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region of Georgia, nestled at the top of the Enguri gorge, lies Ushguli, the highest continuously inhabited settlement in Europe, sitting pretty at 2,410m (7,910ft)! Tucked away in the western part of the country, getting to this town—really a collection of four tiny villages—is an adventure in itself. The road is completely unpaved, so you'll need an SUV, a spare tire, and a full tank of gas. Some even say calling it a "road" is generous; think more like a challenging mud track or a seriously rugged walking path. Starting from Tsageri (a town in the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region), the 92.3km (57.35 miles) journey serves up breathtaking views of towering peaks, vibrant valleys, and the ghostly remains of glaciers. Keep in mind, this road is usually snowed under for about six months of the year, making it impassable from late October until late June or early July (weather depending, of course). Located at the foot of Shkhara, one of the highest peaks in the Caucasus, the road to Ushguli can be a real beast. It constantly crisscrosses the Patara Enguri River, and things get dicey after heavy rains—rock slides are a real risk. Expect a bumpy ride full of rocks, frequent streams, and seriously steep drops. It's not for the faint of heart! The road is in rough shape, and heavy rains can make it completely undrivable, even washing sections away. Fortunately, those armed robbery stories seem to be a thing of the past, so feel free to explore and even pick up a hitchhiker or two. The highest point of the road is at Zagari Pass, reaching a staggering 2,620m (8,595ft) above sea level.
hardTravel guide to the top of Kreuzeck in Bavaria
🇩🇪 Germany
# Kreuzeck: A High-Alpine Adventure in Bavaria Ready for some serious mountain driving? Kreuzeck sits pretty at 1,651 meters (5,417 feet) and ranks among Germany's loftiest roads. This Bavarian gem is tucked just north of Kreuzjoch in the country's southern reaches. Here's the thing: this isn't your typical scenic drive. The route up to the summit follows an old chairlift service road—totally unpaved and seriously gnarly, with narrow, steep stretches that'll test your skills and your nerves. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 to tackle this beast. Nestled in the rugged Wetterstein mountains, Kreuzeck transforms into a no-go zone once winter hits. Mother Nature basically shuts this one down, and even when conditions allow, private vehicles are typically off-limits anyway. If you're an adventure junkie with a capable vehicle and the determination to handle some serious terrain, this is the kind of drive that makes for epic stories. Just respect the mountain, check conditions ahead of time, and bring your A-game.