Tunnel des Montets
France, europe
50 km
1.386 m
hard
Year-round
# Tunnel des Montets: Your Alpine Escape Route
Tucked away in the Haute-Savoie region of France, the Tunnel des Montets (also called Col des Montets Tunnel) is a clever bit of engineering that's been saving travelers since 1907. Located just past Argentiere at Montroc village, this dual-purpose railway and road tunnel is your lifeline when Mother Nature decides to throw a tantrum in the mountains.
At nearly 1,900 meters long and sitting at 1,386 meters elevation, this tunnel is all about practicality. When the Col des Montets pass gets hammered with snow or avalanche danger spikes, cars can slip straight through to Le Buet and Vallorcine instead of getting stuck outside. It's that simple.
Just keep a few rules in mind if you're using it: your vehicle can't exceed 2.5 meters in height or 5.5 meters in length, the speed limit caps out at 50 km/h, and you need to maintain at least 100 meters between you and the car ahead. These aren't suggestions—they're there for a reason in this narrow underground passage.
After a major renovation and reopening in December 2014, the tunnel is back in action and ready to get you safely through the mountains when conditions demand it. It's the kind of road feature that doesn't make headlines, but mountain travelers definitely appreciate it.
Where is it?
Tunnel des Montets is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.8623, 0.7390
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 50 km
- Max Elevation
- 1.386 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 45.8623, 0.7390
Related Roads in europe
hardRefuge du Saut
🇫🇷 France
Okay, fellow adventurers, let me tell you about Refuge du Saut, a seriously cool mountain hideaway nestled in the French Alps (Savoie department, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region to be exact) at a lofty 2,137 meters (that's 7,011 feet!). Getting there is half the fun, but be warned, it's not for the faint of heart! The road, which winds through the stunning Réserve Naturelle du Plan de la Tuéda, is a gravelly, rocky rollercoaster. Think tippy, bumpy, and totally awesome (if you're into that sort of thing!). This trail is best left to experienced off-roaders in a 4x4. Seriously, you'll need it! It's steep in sections, and if it's been raining, expect some seriously muddy conditions. Oh, and did I mention it's closed from October to May due to snow? The views are totally worth the challenge!
moderateWhere is Picón del Fraile?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: You're in northern Spain, right on the border of Cantabria and Castile and León, smack-dab in the Collados del Asón Natural Park in the Soba Valley. You're headed up Picón del Fraile, a mountain that tops out at 1,590 meters (5,216 feet). Heads up: there's a military base, Escuadrón de Vigilancia Aérea nº12 (EVA 12), and a bunch of radars chilling at the summit since '97. The road, also known as Las Motas, is all paved, but get ready for some serious twists and turns! The last stretch is off-limits to personal cars, though. From Portillo de Hoz, where you hop off the BU-572, it’s a 4.5 km (2.79 miles) climb. Don't let the short distance fool you; this climb is STEEP, hitting a max gradient of 17% in spots! You'll gain 308 meters in elevation with an average gradient of 6.84%. Weather-wise, be prepared for anything! This area's known for being super harsh and totally unpredictable. Think crazy snowstorms that can block the road for weeks – we're talking snow walls over 20 meters high! Sometimes the only way to get up there is by helicopter. So, yeah, pack accordingly!
moderateGet behind the wheels for North Cape Tunnel, a subsea road tunnel
🇳🇴 Norway
# The North Cape Tunnel: Norway's Arctic Gateway Ready for something truly unique? Head to the remote reaches of Troms og Finnmark in northern Norway to experience the North Cape Tunnel—a wild subsea adventure that'll take your breath away. This isn't your average drive. The tunnel burrows 6.8km (4.27 miles) beneath the Magerøysundet strait, plunging a mind-boggling 212 meters (696 feet) below sea level. It's one of the most northernmost subsea tunnels in the country, connecting the rugged island of Magerøya to mainland Norway and serving as the gateway to Nordkapp (North Cape)—literally the northernmost point of Europe. The full route stretches 129km (80 miles) along the world's northernmost highway, running south-north from Olderfjord all the way to North Cape. Fair warning: you'll tackle some serious gradients of up to 10% on your way, so take it slow and steady. Built between 1993 and 1999, this tunnel comes with some quirky features that make it feel like driving into another world. Automated doors guard both tunnel entrances, slamming shut when temperatures drop too low—because yeah, it gets *cold* up here. And here's the thing: fog can roll in at the lowest point, so keep your headlights on and your eyes peeled. It's an epic final stretch to one of Earth's most extreme destinations.
hardPas de l'Escalier
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! You HAVE to check out Pas de l'Escalier in the French Pyrenees. We're talking about a wild ride up to 1,907 meters (that's 6,256 feet!) in the stunning Ariège department. Now, fair warning: this isn't your Sunday drive kinda road. It's gravelly and rocky, so think off-road vibes, not autobahn. Definitely a no-go in winter. If unpaved, steep mountain roads aren't your thing, maybe skip this one. A 4x4 is highly recommended. And if you're afraid of heights? Well, let's just say you'll get a good dose of adrenaline! But hey, the scenery is absolutely worth it. Get ready for some killer views!