Where is Col d'Izoard?
France, europe
19.8 km
2,367 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: the Col d'Izoard. We're talking serious bucket-list material here in the Hautes-Alpes region of France, part of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. You'll find this gem tucked away in the southeastern corner of France, a highlight along the Route des Grandes Alpes.
This isn't just any road; it's legendary! The first version was carved out way back in 1710, but the road we know and love today was built between 1893 and 1897. Fully paved as the D902, it winds for almost 20km (12+ miles) between Cervières and Arvieux. Brace yourself – some sections crank up to a 12% gradient! Expect company in the summer months as you wind up.
Word of warning: this high-altitude road is usually snowed in from late October to late June/early July, so plan your trip accordingly.
Okay, so why make the trek? For starters, the views are absolutely insane. You'll transition from lush, green mountains near Briançon to the bizarre, almost lunar landscape of the Casse Deserte as you gain elevation. The rocky scenery at the top is just breathtaking.
But the Izoard is about more than just scenery; it's about history! This pass is cycling royalty, famous for its Tour de France moments. A tiny cycling museum awaits you at the summit. And on the southern slope, near the top, you'll find a memorial to cycling legends Fausto Coppi and Louison Bobet in the Casse Deserte. Seriously, if you're a cycling fan, this is a pilgrimage.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 19.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,367 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
extremeTrafalgar Square: The Congestion Trap
🇬🇧 England
Okay, so London isn't exactly known for its winding mountain passes, but don't let that fool you – cycling here can be an adventure! Think of it as "urban danger," a unique challenge thanks to the city's crazy-busy streets and historic layouts. Take Trafalgar Square, for example. It's a total hotspot for congestion, with double-decker buses, black cabs, and cyclists all fighting for the same lane space. Without dedicated cycle lanes, it's a constant game of dodging side-swipe accidents and tourists who don't quite grasp the flow of traffic. Then there's the Rotherhithe Roundabout. It used to be a major headache for cyclists thanks to the insane amount of freight trucks heading to the tunnel. But now, they've completely revamped it with separated lanes, so cyclists and cars don't have to weave in and out of each other's way. And who could forget Elephant and Castle roundabout, once nicknamed the "Tour de Danger?" Seriously, it was *that* bad. Now, it's got a two-way segregated bypass and raised cycle lanes, so cyclists are safely separated from the big trucks. Turns out, all this segregation really works! Studies show injuries can drop by up to 65% when cyclists have their own dedicated lanes. It's like a high-speed bike highway, keeping them out of the blind spots of those massive buses. But until the whole city is connected, there are still plenty of "hairy" spots where you're sharing the road. London is definitely heading in the right direction, making things safer for cyclists. But it's a work in progress, and even a seemingly harmless roundabout can be unexpectedly dangerous.
moderateDriving the Exhilarating SP 227 di Portofino on the Italian Riviera Coastline
🇮🇹 Italy
# Strada Provinciale 227 di Portofino: Italy's Riviera Gem Ready for one of the world's best coastal drives? Head to the Genoa province in northern Italy, where the stunning SP 227 hugs the Italian Riviera coastline southeast of the city. This fully paved 12.8 km (7.95 mile) route connecting Rapallo and Portofino is an absolute dream for road trippers. Sure, some sections get narrow—keep your wits about you—but the payoff is unreal. The drive unfolds against jaw-dropping coastal scenery that'll have you reaching for your camera at every turn. Fair warning though: summer brings serious traffic, so time your visit wisely if you can. Starting in Rapallo, a charming town anchored by the hilltop Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro, the road winds its way toward the exclusive and picturesque town of Portofino on the Gulf of Tigullio. This famous fishing village and vacation hotspot is the kind of place postcard dreams are made of—pastel-colored buildings tumbling down to sparkling waters, Italian dolce vita at its finest. This isn't just a drive; it's a memory in the making.
hardTossa d'Alp
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just tackled La Tossa, a.k.a. Tossa d’Alp, and let me tell you, this peak in the Spanish Pyrenees (Catalonia, to be exact) is a beast! We're talking 2,535 meters (8,316 feet) up – seriously high! The road? Well, "road" is a generous term. It's more like a rocky, bumpy, gravelly trail – a chairlift access trail, no less! Definitely not for the faint of heart (or those with low-clearance vehicles – 4x4 REQUIRED!). Think steep inclines, potential mud baths if it's wet, and maybe keep away if heights aren't your thing. Winter? Forget about it – impassable! But the views, people, the views! You're smack-dab in the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park. And at the top, you'll find the Refugi Niu d'Àliga Shelter, supposedly the highest mountain shelter in the whole Pyrenees! This climb is made for experienced off-roaders looking for a challenge and some seriously breathtaking scenery. Just be prepared!
extremeThe Curvy Road to Mount Kofinas Is Not for the Faint-Hearted
🇬🇷 Greece
# Mount Kofinas: Crete's Epic Hairpin Adventure Ready for one of Greece's most thrilling drives? Head to southern Crete in Heraklion Prefecture, where Mount Kofinas awaits at 1,074m (3,523ft). The mountain's name comes from its distinctive inverted-basket shape—kofini in Greek—and trust us, once you see it, you'll understand why. The 14.5km (9-mile) unpaved road stretches between Platanias, a charming mountain village, and Moni Koudouma, a tiny coastal town, and it's an absolute wild ride. We're talking 35 hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills and your nerve. The road climbs at a steep 14% gradient in places, so bring your A-game behind the wheel. Here's the reality check: this isn't a road for the faint of heart. Sheer cliff drops of hundreds of meters line the route with zero guardrails to catch you. Rockfalls occasionally narrow the path in sections, so you'll need to take it slow and stay focused. And if you're prone to motion sickness or have a fear of heights, maybe skip this one—the curves and drops are no joke. But here's why you should do it anyway: the views are absolutely stunning. The coastal vistas will take your breath away, and the drive is doable in any standard passenger vehicle. Just watch out for serious wind at the summit, dress accordingly, and for heaven's sake, drive carefully. This is one bucket-list road that delivers an unforgettable Cretan adventure.