Where is Col de l’Echarasson?

Where is Col de l’Echarasson?

France, europe

Length

7.8 km

Elevation

1,146 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, road trippers, because Col de l'Echarasson in the Drôme department of France is calling your name! Nestled high in the Vercors Massif, this beauty sits at 1,146 meters (3,759 feet) above sea level in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France.

The road itself? Paved, but don't let that fool you – it's narrow and gets pretty steep in sections, pushing an 8% gradient on some ramps. Cyclists, take note: this pass has seen the Tour de France! Think of it as a scenic bypass to somewhere even more wild!

Clocking in at 7.8 km (almost 5 miles) running from north to south from to Lente, this road is usually open year-round. Just keep an eye on the weather during winter – Mother Nature might decide to close it for a bit when things get too dicey. Prepare for stunning views, a touch of adrenaline, and memories you won't forget!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
7.8 km
Max Elevation
1,146 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Where is Fort de la Redoute?moderate

Where is Fort de la Redoute?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: You're in the French Alps, near the Italian border, ready for an adventure. You're heading to Fort de la Redoute, a seriously cool historical site perched high in the mountains. This place has seen some stuff! It started as a redoubt back in the day, got a French makeover, and then evolved into a full-blown fort with walls, an observatory, even a drawbridge. It was manned by Alpine troops and visited by presidents. It even saw action during World War II! Now, getting there is half the fun. The road is an old military track, so expect unpaved conditions the whole way. We're talking a rough, rugged climb that's only accessible in the summer. Definitely not a drive to attempt after rain! Starting from the paved D1090, the unpaved section stretches for 2.7 km. It's a rideable climb, and the views from the top are insane. And the fort itself? Exploring its ruins is like stepping back in time. Heads up, though: Access is technically prohibited due to unexploded ordnance! After the war, the area became part of the La Rosière ski resort, and the old military track is now a hiking and trail route.

Driving the Scenic N379-1 Road with Stunning Views of the Atlantic Oceanmoderate

Driving the Scenic N379-1 Road with Stunning Views of the Atlantic Ocean

🇵🇹 Portugal

Okay, picture this: the N379-1, or Estrada de Escarpa as the locals call it. South of Lisbon, Portugal, this coastal beauty is like the PCH's European cousin. Snaking through the Parque Natural da Arrábida, prepare for about 15 km (9.3 miles) of pure driving bliss – and a few white-knuckle moments! This old mountain path hugs the Serra da Arrábida hills, giving you non-stop incredible views. Now, it's paved, but don't get too comfy. Think seriously twisty roads, some tight squeezes, and, oh yeah, zero guardrails with some pretty intense drops straight into the Atlantic. Trust me, you'll want to drive it both ways, because the perspective changes everything. Starting near Setúbal and heading towards São Lourenço, you'll climb up to around 500 meters, giving you mind-blowing panoramas of the coast, hidden beaches, and those dramatic Serra do Risco cliffs. Seriously, the views are epic, and you might just feel like you're in a high-speed chase scene from a movie. Get ready for the drive of your life!

Cerrillo Redondohard

Cerrillo Redondo

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, adventurers, listen up! Nestled high in the Sierra Nevada National Park, in the Andalucian region of southern Spain, is the epic Cerrillo Redondo pass. This baby clocks in at a whopping 2,628m (8,622ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest roads in the whole country. Forget your fancy sports car; you'll need a 4x4 for this unpaved adventure. I'd recommend hitting this route from late spring to early fall. Trust me, you don't want to mess with these mountain roads when they're covered in snow. Speaking of steep, hold on tight! Some sections boast gradients of up to 15%! The views? Totally worth it. Prepare for magnificent vistas of the snowy peaks of Mulhacén and Veleta. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road!

Çatalören Geçidihard

Çatalören Geçidi

🇹🇷 Turkey

Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! We're heading to the Çatalören Geçidi, a seriously cool mountain pass nestled way up high in eastern Anatolia, Turkey, specifically in Erzurum province. We're talking 2,363 meters (that's 7,752 feet!) above sea level, folks. The road itself is paved with asphalt and it winds between the towns of Köprüköy and Ketenci. Be warned, the climb is pretty intense, so make sure your vehicle is ready for a workout! Speaking of ready, keep an eye on the weather, especially if you're traveling in winter. This area can get hit with some serious storms. But hey, that's part of the adventure, right? Get ready for some stunning scenery as you conquer this epic pass!