
Travel Guide to Col de Mahourat in the Pyrenees
France, europe
N/A
1,740 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so you're up for a real adventure, right? Then check out the Col de Mahourat, way up in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques of southwestern France! We're talking a whopping 1,740 meters (that's 5,708 feet!) above sea level.
Perched right on the French-Spanish border in the western Pyrenees, getting to the top is a true off-road experience. Think rocky, gravelly goodness. Seriously, this is more of a chairlift access trail than a leisurely drive, so a 4x4 is a must. And heads up: expect it to be totally snowed in and impassable from around October until June. This isn't your average Sunday drive, but the views? Totally worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 1,740 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateAdventure Along the Wild Road to Col de Cluy
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Cluy Tucked away in the Isère department of southeastern France, Col de Cluy sits pretty at 1,813m (5,948ft) in the heart of the Grandes Rousses massif. If you're familiar with the famous Alpe d'Huez, you'll find this gem lurking just to the south, nestled in the Rhône-Alpes region of the Central French Alps. The 6.7km (4.16 miles) unpaved road winds its way south-to-north, connecting the paved D211E road to the Route du Col de Sarenne. Don't let the dirt surface fool you—it's generally kept in decent shape, though you'll definitely want a high-clearance vehicle to tackle it comfortably. Fair warning: there's a 30km/h speed limit throughout, and any vehicles over 3.5 tons are banned from the route. At the summit, you'll find a small parking area where you can catch your breath and soak in the alpine scenery that makes this corner of the French Alps so special.
moderateWhere is the Folgefonna Tunnel?
🇳🇴 Norway
Okay, picture this: you're in southern Norway, right in the heart of Folgefonna National Park, ready for an adventure. Buckle up, because you're about to dive into the Folgefonntunnelen! This isn't just any tunnel; it's a whopping 11,150 meters (that's over 36,000 feet!) of paved road snaking beneath the majestic Folgefonna glacier. Connecting the charming villages, this tunnel is a vital link. Now, a heads-up: this tunnel is strictly for cars. No pedestrians or bikes allowed, so leave your hiking boots and bicycles for above-ground exploration.
hardVeliko Rujno
🇭🇷 Croatia
Okay, picture this: You're in Starigrad, a cute little harbor town in northern Dalmatia. Get ready for an adventure because you're about to head up to Veliko Rujno, a ridiculously scenic plateau sitting pretty at almost 3,000 feet! The road is about 8 miles long and twists its way up with eight seriously sharp hairpin turns. The first half is paved, taking you 4 miles to a parking lot. But don't stop there! The real fun begins as the asphalt turns to gravel and you rumble through another 4 miles inside the stunning Paklenica National Park. Now, a little heads-up: this road is not for the faint of heart! It's super steep, narrow, and has some serious drop-offs. But the views? Totally worth it. You'll be gazing out at the sparkling Adriatic Sea and catching glimpses of the charming Sveta Bogorodica church along the way. The final stretch gets a little wild with bigger, sharper rocks on the road. Starting at sea level, you'll climb almost 3,000 feet in just over 8 miles, making for an average incline of around 6.7%. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!
moderateWhere is Malga Palazzo?
🇮🇹 Italy
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Scanuppia-Malga Palazzo in Trentino, Italy! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a climb to 1,571 meters (that's 5,154 feet for my American friends) of pure, unadulterated adrenaline. Nestled in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region, this hidden gem, also called Salita Scanuppia, kicks off near Besenello. The stats? A mere 8 kilometers (or roughly 5 miles), but don't let the distance fool you. You'll be wrestling your way up 1,317 meters with an average gradient of 18.1%. Why is everyone talking about it? Because it's rumored to be the steepest paved climb in Europe (or even the world!). Seriously, there are sections that hit a mind-blowing 42.8%. And the road itself? Well, it's paved...sort of. Think concrete with a seriously wavy surface – like giant ripples built in for extra grip, especially useful when snow and ice hit the Dolomite mountain range. So, get ready for a bumpy, breathtaking, and utterly unforgettable ride!