The Wild Road to Col du Jandri in the French Alps
France, europe
26.9 km
1.73 m
hard
Year-round
# Col du Jandri: One of Europe's Most Epic Alpine Climbs
Want to tackle one of the highest drivable roads in Europe? Welcome to Col du Jandri, sitting pretty at a breathtaking 3,165 meters (10,383 feet) in the French Alps. This beast of a peak dominates the Isère department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, tucked deep in the stunning Ecrins massif.
The route here is the R1-2 trail, a service road that was originally built to support the ski lifts and cable cars at Les Deux Alpes ski station. What started as pure utility has become a serious bucket-list challenge for cyclists and adventurous drivers alike. Fair warning: this isn't your typical smooth cruise. The road features seriously steep ramps that'll test your mettle, and yes, you'll see everything from mountain bikes to heavy vehicles grinding their way up.
Starting from Le Bourg-d'Oisans, you're looking at a 26.9-kilometer (16.71-mile) beast of an ascent. You'll gain 2,458 meters of elevation with an average gradient of 9.1% — but don't get comfortable, because the steepest sections hit a brutal 16%. The first portion is paved up to about 1,730 meters, then the surface transitions to gravel. The upper sections get rocky, dusty, and relentlessly steep, demanding serious gears and serious stamina.
Along the way, you'll pass Col des Gourses at 2,565 meters before making the final push. The payoff? Incredible views of Glacier de Mont-de-Lans and a summit restaurant with panoramic vistas that make every sweat drop worthwhile. Summer is the best time to attempt it, when the road is typically passable. This is alpine climbing at its finest.
Where is it?
The Wild Road to Col du Jandri in the French Alps is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.2429, 1.4679
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 26.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 1.73 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.2429, 1.4679
Related Roads in europe
moderate64Н-3 is a gravel coastal road in Russia
🌍 Russia
Okay, adventurers, picture this: a rugged, coastal escape on Sakhalin Island, way out in the Russian Far East. We're talking about route 64H-3, a roughly 80-kilometer (50-mile) stretch of mostly unpaved road hugging the southwest coast. This isn't your typical Sunday drive. Think remote, think foggy, think seriously scenic. Passenger cars can usually make it, but be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride. You'll start near Kholmsk, a port town buzzing with activity on the Gulf of Nevelsky, and wind your way south until you hit Shebunino, a small, quiet town. It's a journey off the beaten path, perfect for those craving a raw, natural beauty and a true escape. Get ready for some seriously stunning views!
moderateKystriksveien Coastal Road is one of the 101 World’s most Scenic Routes
🇳🇴 Norway
# Kystriksveien: Norway's Ultimate Coastal Road Trip Ready for one of the world's most stunning drives? Kystriksveien—Norwegian County Road 17—stretches 630 kilometres along Norway's Nordland coastline, connecting Steinkjer in Trøndelag to Bodø in the north. You'll literally cross the Arctic Circle on this adventure, and National Geographic ranked it among the 101 most scenic routes on the planet for good reason. This winding, narrow (but fully paved) coastal highway is totally doable in a single day if you're in a rush—most drivers knock it out in 7-10 hours. But honestly? Don't do that. Set aside 4-5 days minimum. You'll need it to properly soak in the experience, especially since the route includes at least six ferry crossings (ranging from 10 minutes to an hour each). The islands themselves are worth exploring too. What makes Kystriksveien so special is the sheer variety packed into one drive. You've got charming fishing villages, pristine white sandy beaches, dramatic mountain peaks, and some seriously jaw-dropping fjords carved deep by ancient glaciers—some stretching over 200 kilometres inland. Along the way, you'll spot famous landmarks like Torghatten mountain, the Seven Sisters range, Svartisen glacier, and Saltstraumen, home to the world's most powerful whirlpools. With roughly 12,000 islands dotting the coast, there's endless exploring to be done. The traffic is light most of the time, though weekends and peak holiday season get busier. Gas stations and grocery stores are conveniently scattered along the route. One fun fact: this road was built by 144,000 prisoners during the 1940s. Pro tip—check the weather forecast before you go. This drive is genuinely magical in good conditions, so timing matters.
moderateWhere is Col d'Èze?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the French Riviera, wind in your hair, heading for the Col d'Èze. This mountain pass, sitting pretty at 532m (1,745ft), is a total must-do in the Alpes-Maritimes department. Why "Èze"? It's named after the charming village of Èze itself! The M2564 road is paved the whole way, winding for 15.4 km (9.56 miles) from Nice (yep, the capital of the French Riviera) to La Turbie. Seriously, the views are out of this world – think sweeping panoramas of Èze and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. It's a classic Route des Grandes Alpes experience. Cyclists, take note! This climb is a regular in the Paris-Nice and Tour de France races. It’s a popular training spot, with some seriously steep sections hitting a max gradient of 10.2% in places. Officially, it's graded as a category 2 climb, so be prepared to work those legs!
easyHow long is the GI-400 road?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Catalonia, Spain, top-down, wind in your hair, surrounded by pure mountain bliss. That's the GI-400! This fully paved road is an 18.9 km (11.74 miles) long ribbon of asphalt that winds its way from somewhere near Girona all the way up to Alp, nestled in the Cerdanya region. This isn't just any road; it's a motorcycle paradise, packed with sweeping curves that'll have you grinning from ear to ear. The GI-400 climbs high into the Pyrenees, hitting a peak of 1,811m (5,941ft). Usually, it's open all year, giving you access to the killer ski resorts of La Molina and Masella. But hey, it's the mountains – snow happens, so be prepared for possible short closures during the winter months. As you make your way up, keep an eye out for relics of the Spanish Civil War – military constructions and bunkers dot the landscape, adding a touch of history to your epic drive.