Where is Clue de Barles?
France, europe
31.7 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in France, north of Digne-les-Bains. You stumble upon the D900A, a completely paved but wild road that snakes its way for almost 20 miles from Digne-les-Bains to Verdaches through the incredible Clue de Barles.
This isn't just any drive; it's a full-on canyon experience carved by the Bès river. Think dramatic views and seriously impressive scenery. The road, also known as Clue de Saint-Clément, is carved right into the mountainside. Be warned, though—"narrow" doesn't even begin to describe some parts!
Keep an eye out for height restriction signs (2.8m to 3.2m) and be aware of potential rock slides. Give yourself about 40-50 minutes to drive it straight through, but trust me, you'll want to stop and soak it all in. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 31.7 km
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardHow to get by car to Old Tragjas, the Abandoned Village Destroyed by Bombs
🇦🇱 Albania
Okay, picture this: you're in Albania, about 25km from Vlora, heading to a ghost village called Tragjasi i Vjetër. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks! The road? Let's just say "unpaved" is an understatement. We're talking rugged, narrow, and definitely not for the faint of heart (or your motorhome). A higher-clearance car is your best bet for this adventure. The road kicks off from the new Tragjas village and stretches for about 5.1 km (3.16 miles), climbing 263 meters. That's an average gradient of 5.15%, so buckle up for a climb. The scenery, though? Totally worth it. Think jaw-dropping vistas and panoramic views. You'll wind your way up to the Pass of the Tombs – a spot named for the ancient tombs scattered around. This shaped hill offers insane views of Orikum and the coastline. Tragjasi i Vjetër is an old village in ruins located in Vlorë County, Albania. It's structurally dangerous and you should proceed with caution. The town was bombed in 1943 because of partisan sympathies. This place oozes history and the architectural remnants are seriously cool. If you're into exploring ruins and soaking up some seriously epic scenery, Tragjasi i Vjetër needs to be on your radar!
hardWhere is Strada delle Vette?
🇮🇹 Italy
Get ready for the Strada Panoramica delle Vette in Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region – it's seriously epic! You'll find this road in the Province of Udine, way up north near the Austrian border. Clocking in at 30 km (around 19 miles), it winds from Ravascletto (perfect for summer or winter getaways) to Tualis. Most of it's paved, but there's a 6 km stretch of dirt to keep things interesting. This road was built in the early 40s and gained fame from a Giro d’Italia stage. Without stops, you're looking at a 1-2 hour drive, but trust me, you'll WANT to stop! The views are incredible, so take your time, especially since the speed limit is just 30 km/h. Perched high in the Carnic Alps, part of the Dolomites, this road supposedly hits the highest elevation open to vehicles in Friuli, topping out at 1,991m (6,532ft). Heads up – it's usually closed in the winter. And definitely skip it if the weather's nasty. This drive is not for the faint of heart. Expect hairpin turns – like, 40 of them! – crazy drop-offs, and seriously narrow sections. Drive slow and hope you don't meet anything coming the other way. It's pretty much a single lane, so be aware! Leave your big SUVs and campers at home, seriously. The turns are tight, the road's steep (think 12-18% grades, with some ramps hitting 20%), and there's nowhere to hide if a storm rolls in. Honk your horn on blind turns – it could save you!
hardColle Bettaforca
🇮🇹 Italy
# Colle Bettaforca: Italy's Alpine Challenge Want to tackle one of Italy's most extreme mountain passes? Colle Bettaforca sits pretty at 2,728 meters (8,950 feet) in Valle d'Aosta, northwestern Italy, and honestly, it's not for the faint of heart. The route itself is a rocky, gravel affair that doubles as a chairlift access trail and ski-station service road. We're talking seriously steep sections—some pushing 30% gradient—with loose stones making traction a constant headache. The upper portion gets even gnarlier with exposed rock and increasingly treacherous terrain. Here's the thing: you've got a ridiculously narrow window to attempt this. Basically end of August only. That's it. The rest of the year? Forget about it. Even during that brief summer window, you might wake up to snow, which is absolutely wild when you remember it's supposed to be peak season. Temperatures during winter are absolutely brutal—we're talking survival-kit territory. And the wind? It never really stops up here. Year-round, these peaks get battered by serious gusts that'll test your vehicle and your nerve. Summer months offer slightly less torture, but don't expect calm conditions. On the bright side, if you make it to the top, there's actually a bar waiting for you. Because nothing says "I conquered an Alpine monster" quite like celebrating with a cold drink at 2,728 meters.
hardDriving the wild Tälligrattunnel
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Tälligrattunnel: A Hidden Alpine Shortcut Tucked away in Switzerland's Valais canton, the Tälligrattunnel is one of those roads that makes you feel like you've discovered something truly special. The approach is pure backcountry charm—a narrow, gravelly climb that demands respect and rewards you with serious alpine vibes. Here's the thing: this road is seriously seasonal. You're looking at a pretty tight window from July through September if the weather gods are smiling. October to June? Forget about it—the mountains close the door hard during those months. The narrow, steep gravel approach isn't for the faint of heart, but the payoff is incredible. The tunnel itself is the real star of the show. Built back in the 1980s, this 1-kilometer passage burrows straight through the Tälligrat mountain, saving you a ton of switchbacks. Originally engineered to redirect water from the Märjelensee down into the valley, it's now a thrilling shortcut for those adventurous enough to tackle the approach. The numbers? The northern portal sits at 2,352 meters elevation, with the southern exit just a few meters lower at 2,347 meters. You're solidly in the Swiss Alps here, surrounded by some of the continent's most dramatic scenery. This is the kind of road that locals know and visitors dream about—raw, real, and absolutely worth the gravel dust.