Where are the Gorges du Verdon?
France, europe
21 km
701 m
hard
Year-round
Cruising through the Gorges du Verdon in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, is like driving into a postcard. Picture this: you're snaking along D23, also known as Route des Crêtes, a 22.2 km loop carved into the cliffs high above the turquoise Verdon River. This isn't just any drive; it's the "Grand Canyon of Europe," with depths reaching around 725 meters!
Now, let's be real – this road isn't for the faint of heart. Think hair-raising drops of over 2,300 feet, sections barely wide enough for one car, blind curves, and hairpin turns, all without the comfort of guardrails in many spots. Locals say accidents are rare, but you'll need to keep your eyes on the road, especially with those distracting, stunning vistas!
Give yourself about an hour without stops, but trust me, you'll *want* to stop. The views of the south side of the rift and the blue Verdon River are epic. You might even spot vultures soaring overhead. Aim to go early in the morning, especially in summer (late June-August) to beat the heat and traffic. For an easier time with the narrow roads, consider going counter-clockwise to hug the cliff. The Verdon's emerald waters, the towering rock formations, the dizzying heights – it's all worth a bit of nail-biting, and you'll be left with memories (and photos) that will last a lifetime.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 21 km
- Max Elevation
- 701 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardDriving through the infamous Taibilla Canyon
🇪🇸 Spain
# Cañón de Rio Taibilla: A Hidden Gem Through Spain's Most Dramatic Landscape If you're hunting for one of Spain's most breathtaking canyon drives, look no further than the Cañón de Rio Taibilla in Albacete province, nestled in the heart of Castilla–La Mancha. This is the kind of road that makes you understand why people fall in love with Spanish road trips. Carved into the Sierra del Segura mountains, this fully paved route winds through the jaw-dropping Taibilla Canyon—a towering gorge sculpted over millennia by the relentless erosion of Taibilla creek. The road, officially called L-3 (or Camino del Servicio de Canal Alto), stretches a thrilling 12.3 km (7.64 miles) from the Taibilla reservoir in the south all the way up to Vizcable in the north. Here's where it gets real: this is not your average Sunday drive. The road narrows dramatically—anywhere from 3.50 to 5.60 meters wide—and in some sections, there's barely enough space for two cars to pass. You'll be hugging those canyon walls closely, and honestly, meeting another vehicle head-on could get dicey. Unless you're confident with reverse driving, you might want to scout ahead first. On the bright side, the road is currently undergoing improvements, which should make things a bit easier. But the challenge is absolutely worth it. The views? Absolutely stunning. You're surrounded by imposing rock faces and sweeping vistas that'll have your camera working overtime. This is driving at its most adventurous—the kind of road that stays with you long after you've reached the end.
hardTravel Guide to the Top of Jankov Kamen
🌍 Serbia
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Deep in the Moravica District of Serbia, hidden within the stunning Golija Nature Park, lies Jankov Kamen (Janko's Stone) – a mountain peak reaching a mighty 1,833m (6,013 ft). Why go? The summit boasts a communication tower and absolutely mind-blowing views, especially of the sprawling Pešter Plateau. Seriously, pack your camera. Now, the road... it's an *experience*. We're talking 2.5 km (1.55 miles) of completely unpaved, rocky terrain carving through evergreen forests. Forget your low-rider; you'll need a 4x4 to conquer this beast. Starting from Golijska Reka on Road 197, you'll climb 414 meters with an average gradient of 16.56%! It's steep! Heads up: the Golija Mountains are notorious for their strong winds and crazy snowdrifts (up to 15 meters!). The upper plateau is usually blanketed in snow from November to April, with patches sticking around even longer in the shadows. Best time to go? Aim for summer, late spring, or fall. But *always* double-check the snow conditions before you head out. Trust me, you don't want to get stuck!
extremeIs Colle del Garezzo paved?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure awaits in Liguria, Italy! Colle del Garezzo is a seriously scenic mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,795 meters. You'll find it nestled in the hills of Imperia, in northern Italy. The road starts out paved, but be warned: it turns to gravel, and gets a bit rough up near the top. They keep the speed limit low at 20 km/h for a reason! Heads up, the road is usually closed from November to the end of March. There's also a 70-meter tunnel, so be prepared for darkness. Seriously, you need to take it slow and steady, especially on the unpaved sections – best to leave your low-riding sports car at home for this one. This route connects the Arroscia and Argentina valleys. The climb is about 19.5 km long with an average gradient of 7%. The last 7km is gravel. The 18 km descent is all tarmac with a 7.2% average gradient and a few extra steep parts thrown in for fun. Historically, the road is part of the Via del Sale, a route dating back to the Middle Ages. It was used to haul salt from the coast. Later, it was beefed up into a military road to connect forts along the French border. Now, it's a fantastic off-road track that snakes along the ridges of the Maritime Alps, right on the border between Italy and France. Expect wild landscapes, stunning sea views, and unforgettable mountain vistas. The road saw use in WWII, adding another layer to its already rich history.
hardVilafranca detour road is a famous widow maker
🇪🇸 Spain
# Variant de Vilafranca: Spain's Deceptively Deadly Highway Stretch You'd think this little 12-kilometer stretch near Vilafranca del Penedès would be just another forgettable section of the N-340 highway that connects Barcelona to Cádiz across Spain. But here's where it gets dark: between 2000 and 2015, 45 people lost their lives on this road. Yeah, it earned itself the grim nickname "widow maker," and for good reason. The danger zone specifically sits between kilometers 1202 and 1214, right as you're approaching Tarragona province. On paper, everything looks fine. The road is well-maintained asphalt, plenty wide, and properly signed. So what gives? The real culprit? It's a perfect storm of bad conditions. Massive trucks rumble through constantly, drivers push their speed way too high, and overtaking is basically impossible. Add in numerous crossings, distracted drivers, and the creeping fatigue that comes with long-distance driving, and suddenly you've got a recipe for disaster. It's a sobering reminder that the most dangerous roads aren't always the ones that *look* treacherous—sometimes they're the ones that lull you into complacency right before something terrible happens.