
Where is Altiport de Courchevel?
France, europe
12.2 km
1,260 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, so you're heading to Courchevel Airport, huh? Buckle up for a wild ride! Perched way up in the French Alps at 2,014 meters (that's 6,607 feet!), this isn't your average airport. Think dramatic mountain scenery meets serious piloting skills.
Getting there by car is an adventure in itself. The road winds its way up from Le Praz, starting at 1,260 meters, climbing 754 meters over 12.2 kilometers (about 7.6 miles). Expect some steep sections; the gradient hits almost 10% in places! It’s so epic, the Tour de France has even used it as a stage finish!
Keep in mind, this isn't a trip for the faint of heart. The runway is super short, and it's got a crazy upward slope. Plus, visibility can be tricky. But the views? Absolutely worth it. Just take it slow, and be prepared for an unforgettable experience.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 12.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,260 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
hardA narrow road through the dizzying gorge of Topolia in Crete
🇬🇷 Greece
Nestled in the inland reaches of Kissamos at the western tip of Chania prefecture, the winding road through Topolia Gorge is genuinely one of Crete's most stunning drives. Perched high in the Cretan mountains, this fully paved route is deceptively narrow and demanding. Stretching 10.5 km (6.52 miles) from Topolia to Elos, the road hugs the dramatic canyon carved by the River Tyflos. The gorge itself is a geological wonder—1,500 meters long with sheer walls soaring 300 meters high and a stream bed that varies wildly from just 5 to 50 meters across. Local folklore swears the gorges were once home to fairies and the Minoan goddess Vritomartis, adding an extra layer of magic to your journey. The real white-knuckle moment comes courtesy of the Topolia Tunnel—a single-lane, unlit passage built entirely by hand back in 1920. At 110 meters long and only 4 meters wide, it's controlled by traffic lights on both ends. Summer traffic can turn this into a genuine bottleneck, so timing is everything. Most drivers tackle this route in about 25-30 minutes if they don't stop, though August can easily double that. The views are absolutely worth pausing for though—several scenic overlooks are perfectly positioned for photo ops. While you're in the area, the Cave of Agia Sofia and its accompanying church sit just above the road and are totally worth the detour. You'll also spot local producers selling their goods near the gorge entrance, before the tunnel.
hardPointe des Mossettes
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Pointe des Mossettes Perched at 2,252m (7,388ft) on the French-Swiss border, Pointe des Mossettes sits right above the Avoriaz ski slopes and offers an adventure that's not for the faint of heart. Fair warning: this is a gravel and rocky route that gets genuinely bumpy and unstable in sections. Winter? Forget about it—the road becomes completely impassable. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous or heights aren't your thing, you'll want to skip this one entirely. The climb is seriously steep, so you need solid off-road skills to tackle it. Weather is your enemy here too. When conditions turn wet, that muddy surface becomes a real challenge. But if you're an experienced wheeler with nerves of steel and a vehicle up to the task, this is the kind of alpine thrill ride that makes for an unforgettable story.
hardPort de Lers
🇫🇷 France
# Port de Lers: A Pyrenean Gem Worth the Climb Nestled in the French Pyrenees at 1,517 meters (4,977 feet), the Port de Lers is a stunning high mountain pass that'll make any road tripper's heart sing. Located in Ariège, this beauty is also known as Port de l'Hers or Port de Massat, and it's been tough enough to feature in the Tour de France multiple times. The D18 is a fully paved route that connects three charming communities—Aulus-les-Bains to the west, Massat to the north, and Vicdessos to the east—with plenty of hairpin turns to keep things interesting. Fair warning though: you'll encounter some seriously steep sections (think double-digit gradients), so bring your A-game. You've got two solid options for tackling this climb. Coming from Vicdessos is the shorter but spicier route at 11.5 km with 807 meters of elevation gain and some gnarly 10.9% stretches. If you prefer a steadier pace, head up from Massat's 16.6 km approach with 868 meters of elevation gain and more manageable 5.2% average grades (though the steepest bits still hit 8.9%). Here's the best part: this is a year-round pass, so you can chase it in any season. Just keep in mind that winter can throw some curveballs with temporary closures, so check conditions before you go. About 3.8 km from the summit, you'll spot a junction with the Col d'Agnes climb if you're feeling extra adventurous.
hardWhere is Großer Oscheniksee?
🇦🇹 Austria
Okay, picture this: You're in Carinthia, Austria, deep in the Fragant valley, ready to tackle a beast of a road up to Großer Oscheniksee, a stunning mountain reservoir perched at 2,390m (7,841ft). This climb? Legendary. Starting from Innerfragant, you've got 8.5km (5.28 miles) of paved, but seriously narrow road ahead. And get this—39 hairpin turns! Hope you're not prone to motion sickness. The road's typically open only from early May to late September, thanks to the heavy snow. But the real kicker? This road isn't messing around. Prepare for sections hitting a brutal 20% gradient. Seriously, some say it's one of the toughest climbs in the Alps. You'll gain 1,106 meters in elevation, averaging a lung-busting 13.01% incline. But trust me, the views from the top make it all worthwhile! Just be aware that access to the reservoir is currently blocked by a barrier.