Where is Clue du Riolan?

Where is Clue du Riolan?

France, europe

Length

10.2 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Alpes-Maritimes in France, and suddenly you stumble upon Clue du Riolan. Seriously, this place is a hidden gem! Think of it as one of those insane balcony roads the French do so well.

The Riolan River has been working its magic for centuries, carving this dramatic canyon right into the white limestone of the Vallée de l'Esteron. And guess what? You can drive right through it!

The D17, a skinny little paved road, snakes its way through the shaded depths of the Clue. Just a heads-up: if you're rocking anything taller than 3.5 meters, you're gonna have to turn around. The road has some serious drop-offs, a flimsy excuse for a wall, and a tendency for rock slides, so keep your eyes peeled! It's so narrow that two normal cars can't pass each other, so drive defensively and use the parking spots as passing places.

The road stretches for about 10.2 kilometers (6.33 miles), clinging to the sides of sheer cliffs from the D2211A near La Combe to Roquesteron. Oh, and there are a few unlit, super-tight tunnels thrown in for good measure. Trust me, the scenery is absolutely worth it!

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Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
10.2 km
Difficulty
hard

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