
Where is Col de Cibières?
France, europe
7 km
2,525 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Col de Cibières! This wild ride sits way up high in the French Alps, at a whopping 2,525 meters (that's 8,284 feet!). You'll find it nestled in the Hautes-Alpes department of France, part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.
Now, heads up: this isn't your Sunday drive kinda road. We're talking a full 7 kilometers (4.34 miles) of unpaved glory. Seriously, it's rocky – big stones everywhere! A 4x4 is definitely your best friend here. Oh, and forget about it in winter – totally snowed in.
But if you're up for the challenge, the views are epic. Think classic alpine scenery, rugged and raw. You'll find the start of the route as a turn off the paved D234T Road on its north side, leading to Gorges de la Blanche. Get ready for an unforgettable climb!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 7 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,525 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateThe military road to Fort de la Redoute in Savoie
🇫🇷 France
# Fort de la Redoute: A High-Alpine Adventure Perched at a dramatic 2,346 meters (7,696 ft) in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Fort de la Redoute sits near the Italian border in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This isn't just any mountain fort—it's a fascinating relic of European history. The fort's story is wild: originally built by the House of Savoy way back in 1630, it's been passed around more times than a mountain goat changes elevation. The French took control in 1794, renamed it Fort-Libre, then rebuilt it as Redoute-Ruinée in the 1890s. President Félix Faure even stopped by in 1897. Fast forward to WWII, and about 70 French soldiers made a legendary stand here against Italian forces until July 1940. The fort later served as part of the Maginot Line's Alpine defenses and was occupied by the Germans until 1945. **The Road Itself** Want to visit? Get ready for a real adventure. The 8.9-km (5.53-mile) unpaved military track starts and finishes on the paved D1090, and it's only doable in summer months. Winter? Forget about it—snow makes this route completely impassable. Same goes for after heavy rain. You'll need a serious vehicle too: 4x4 or enduro bikes only. But here's the payoff: stunning alpine views and genuinely impressive history waiting at the summit. Just note that the fort itself is off-limits due to structural concerns, but the surrounding area is part of the La Rosière ski zone and popular with hikers and trail enthusiasts.
hardIs the road to Langada Pass paved?
🇬🇷 Greece
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Peloponnese region of Greece, heading for the legendary Langada Pass. This mountain road climbs to a cool 1,316m (4,317ft) in the Taÿgetos Mountains, and trust me, the views are worth every hairpin turn! Route 82, as it's known, stretches for 56km (34.79 miles) between Sparta and Kalamáta, and it's completely paved. But don't let that fool you—this isn't your average Sunday drive. The real adventure starts about 20km (12 miles) west of Sparta, where the road suddenly becomes a ribbon of asphalt clinging to the Langada Gorge. We're talking hundreds of hairpin turns, seriously narrow sections, and tunnels carved right into the rock. You'll be navigating tight curves under overhanging cliffs that look like they defy gravity, with your tires singing a little song of protest. But hey, you're in Greece, right? As you climb higher and higher, the landscape opens up to reveal stunning views of the mountains, the land below, and glimpses of the sparkling sea in the distance. It's a feast for the eyes, a thrill for the senses, and an unforgettable road trip all rolled into one!
hardWhere is The Burway?
🇬🇧 England
The Burway, nestled in Shropshire's Cardingmill Valley in the West Midlands, is a wild ride! This isn't your average Sunday drive – it's a proper adventure up Long Mynd, a mountain plateau reaching 488m (1,601ft). Clocking in at 7.88km (4.9 miles) from Church Stretton to Longmynd (where it's known as The Port Way), this paved road is narrow. Really narrow. We're talking single-track narrow, with gradients hitting a punchy 20% in places. Inexperienced drivers, be warned! The views from the top are absolutely stunning, stretching across Shropshire and beyond. But getting there? It's not for the faint of heart. One side offers a sheer, unprotected drop into the valley below. Seriously, this "high shelf road" can be intimidating! Forget about bringing a caravan – it won't fit. Starting from Church Stretton, the first 3.24 km (2.01 miles) climb 281 meters, averaging an 8.6% gradient. And a word to the wise: this "highest public road in Shropshire" isn't maintained in the winter. Deep snow and icy conditions can make it totally impassable – and incredibly dangerous. One slip, and you're over the edge. So, check the forecast and drive with extreme caution!
extreme14 sharp hairpin turns to Forcella Lavardet
🇮🇹 Italy
# Forcella Lavardet: Italy's Most Delightfully Absurd Mountain Pass Perched at 1,547m (5,075ft) in Belluno, Veneto, Forcella Lavardet is basically what happens when someone decided a military road needed to be as twisty as humanly possible. Spoiler alert: it totally succeeded. This legendary mountain pass is famous for its 14 jaw-dropping hairpin turns that stack on top of each other like a twisted game of Tetris. They call it "the most absurd state road in Italy," and honestly, once you see it, you'll understand why. The Strada Provinciale 465 runs north-south from the tiny village of Campolongo, starting mostly unpaved with some paved sections up north before meeting the paved Strada Statale 465. The climb stretches 10.4km (6.46 miles) with a 599m elevation gain, averaging around 5.75% gradient—though some sections hit a punishing 13%. It's steep, it's technical, and it demands respect. Here's the thing though: the road's been closed to vehicles since October 1993 after a devastating flood. Mother Nature basically said "enough," and the precarious conditions got worse. But don't worry, cyclists and hikers can still tackle it. Fair warning though—narrow sections, sketchy wooden bridges (including a newer one crossing the Frison River), and a serious landslide risk mean you need to be cautious. Winter? Forget about it. Heavy rain? Plan accordingly. And those blind hairpins? Slow down and assume something's coming around the corner. If you're up for it, you'll be rewarded with stunning Dolomites-Alps scenery in the Carnic Alps. Just respect the mountain.