
Where is Chalet Hôtel du Gioberney?
France, europe
30 km
1,649 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the French Alps, headed to the Chalet Hôtel du Gioberney, a super cool mountain refuge chilling at 1,649 meters! It's tucked away in the Cirque du Vaccivier, inside the Écrins National Park.
The drive itself is an adventure! You'll be cruising on the D480T, a paved road that twists and turns its way up, getting pretty narrow and steep in places (think around 10% gradient!). Make sure you fuel up before heading into the valley, because it's a good 30km to the refuge.
The road stretches for about 26 km from the N85 near Saint-Jacques-en-Valgodemard, climbing nearly 800 meters. The average incline is around 3%, so you know you're headed uphill. Just a heads up: the very last stretch is off-limits to private cars.
Being high in the Alps, winter means serious snow, and the road usually closes. Also, keep an eye out for potential rock slides. But when it's open? Expect views that will absolutely blow you away!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 30 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,649 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardTravel guide to the top of Col des Vaux
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Col des Vaux Want to experience some serious Alpine adventure? Head to Col des Vaux, a jaw-dropping mountain pass sitting at 2,705m (8,874ft) in the Entremont district of Valais, southwestern Switzerland. This isn't your typical scenic drive. Starting from Verbier, you're looking at roughly 8km (5 miles) of pure unpaved terrain—think loose rocks, gravel, and some seriously steep pitches that'll test both you and your vehicle. Fair warning: you'll need a proper 4x4 to tackle this beast. The road basically serves as access to the chairlift, and it ranks among Switzerland's highest routes. Planning a visit? Mark your calendar for July through October only. From November until June, this pass is completely impassable, locked down by snow and weather. But when conditions are right, the rugged scenery and the thrill of conquering one of the country's most extreme mountain roads make it absolutely unforgettable.
hardFlorea
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Florea Peak in Argeș County, Romania is calling your name! This bad boy tops out at 1,931m (6,335ft), making it one of the highest drives in the country. But hold on tight, it's not for the faint of heart. We're talking a bumpy gravel road to the summit. Expect a steep climb, and if you're afraid of heights, maybe sit this one out! Snow is a real possibility in winter, so access can be totally blocked. After it rains, things get slippery and loose gravel can catch you off guard. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. But if you're prepared, the views are epic!
moderateDriving the challenging paved TF-24 Road on Canary Islands
🇪🇸 Spain
# TF-24 Road: Tenerife's Sky-High Adventure Ready for one of Tenerife's most thrilling drives? The TF-24, aka Carretera de la Esperanza, is calling your name. This fully paved beauty stretches 42.7 km (26.53 miles) from San Cristóbal de La Laguna in northern Tenerife down to the legendary TF-21 road, and it's seriously one of Spain's highest routes. What makes it so special? The road climbs to Corral del Niño, a jaw-dropping natural viewpoint sitting at 2,305m (7,562ft) above sea level. The ascent is surprisingly smooth—mostly gentle grades without too many hairpin-inducing stomach-droppers—though those curves, hairpins, and elevation changes do keep your average speed around 60km/h. Perfect for soaking in every moment. Winding through Teide National Park, this drive genuinely feels otherworldly. You'll literally rise above the clouds, and the scenery is absolutely stunning. There are plenty of pullouts scattered along the route where you can park, stretch your legs, and just... breathe in the views. It's one of those drives that reminds you why you got behind the wheel in the first place.
hardIs the Road to Nordkapp Paved?
🇳🇴 Norway
Okay, picture this: you're heading to the North Cape (Nordkapp) on Magerøya Island, the tippy-top of mainland Europe! We're talking 71 degrees North, the same latitude as Siberia and Alaska. The road is totally paved, so no need for a 4x4, but get ready for an adventure. This remote spot in the Finnmark Region, practically rubbing shoulders with Finland and Russia, is begging for a road trip. Trust me, you'll want to stop every few minutes to snap pics from the killer viewpoints. When you finally reach the end of the road, there's a whole visitor center situation going on – café, restaurant, the works! Plus, the iconic globe monument, which is basically the North Cape's selfie spot. Now, pro tip: the last bit of road is usually closed in winter because, well, Arctic weather. So pack your warmest gear! Summer brings endless daylight (mid-May to July), while winter's pretty much a twilight zone. Expect insane views, crazy weather, and bragging rights for standing at the northernmost point of Europe.