
Where is Col de l’Homme?
France, europe
14.3 km
1,766 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Isère department of France, headed for a hidden gem called Col de l'Homme. This mountain peak sits at a cool 1,766m (5,793ft) in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and is totally worth the drive.
What makes it special? Well, at the top, you'll find the Notre-Dame de la Salette shrine, a seriously impressive 19th-century basilica. It's a popular spot for pilgrims, and the views are incredible! Plus, there's a gift shop and plenty of parking. If you're into history, a few kilometers down the road is a memorial for the victims of the 1950 airplane crash into the nearby Grande Tête de l’Obiou.
The drive up, along the D212C (or Route de la Salette, as the locals call it), is pretty smooth. The road is paved the whole way, nice and wide, and not too steep. It's 14.3 km (8.88 miles) from Corps, with an elevation gain of 822 meters and a gentle average gradient of 5.74%. Expect easy curves, light traffic, and stunning scenery all the way to the top. Trust me; this road trip is a must-do!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,766 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardHighest roads of Greece
🇬🇷 Greece
Okay, buckle up, fellow road trippers, because Greece has some seriously epic drives! We're talking southeast Europe, Balkan Peninsula vibes, where mountains practically dive into the Aegean Sea. Seriously, 80% of this country is hills and mountains, so forget flatlands! Think dramatic ranges and Mount Olympus views. The road builders here? Absolute legends. They've carved routes through insane gorges and up to passes so high you'll feel like you're touching the sky. If you're into testing your driving skills while soaking in some of the most breathtaking scenery on the planet, Greece's mountainous interior is calling your name. Trust me, Baros Pass is an absolute must. Get ready for an adventure!
hardNuevo Mundo
🇪🇸 Spain
# Nuevo Mundo: A Thrilling High-Altitude Adventure Ready for some serious mountain driving? Nuevo Mundo sits pretty at 2,115 meters (6,938 feet) in Almería province, Andalusia, Spain—and the route to its summit is definitely not for the faint of heart. The road itself? Think gravel, rocks, and plenty of bumpy sections that'll keep you on your toes. This isn't your typical Sunday cruise—it's a genuine off-road challenge that demands serious wheeling skills. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, honestly, skip this one. A 4x4 vehicle is pretty much essential if you want to make it up there safely. Here's the thing: winds absolutely howl through this area year-round, and they don't play around. Combined with the steep gradient and the fact that you're way up in the air with nothing but views below you, this trail requires nerve and respect. Heights-phobic? Yeah, this might not be your vibe. The payoff? Once you summit, you'll find a communication tower standing sentinel over breathtaking panoramic views. It's the kind of accomplishment that makes your arms ache but your heart sing. **Bottom line:** This is experienced mountain drivers only. Come prepared, come confident, and come ready for one wild ride.
moderateHow long is the Jæren National Tourist Route?
🇳🇴 Norway
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Jæren National Tourist Route in Fjord Norway, Rogaland county. Forget twisty mountain passes, this 41km (25 mile) stretch of road (routes 44 and 507) is all about wide-open spaces. Think endless sandy beaches, rolling dunes, and dramatic boulders meeting the sea. Starting in Ogna and heading north to Bore, it's a feast for the eyes, with massive skies and that crisp ocean air filling your lungs. And get this, the highest point is only 35 meters above sea level! Seriously, it's a coastal dream. Good news: it's usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter, as it can sometimes close briefly if things get wild. Trust me, if you're anywhere near the southwest of Norway, this is a drive you absolutely *have* to experience!
hardHow to get by car to Edelweissspitze, the highest passable point of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road?
🇦🇹 Austria
# Edelweißspitze: Austria's Alpine Crown Jewel Perched at 2,571 meters (8,435 feet) in Salzburg, Austria, Edelweißspitze is one of those bucket-list mountain drives that delivers on every front. The summit isn't just a scenic pit stop—there's a proper mountain hut called the Edelweißhütte (built way back in 1935), a souvenir shop, and a parking lot for those who've made the climb. The real magic happens at the top: you're rewarded with views of 37 peaks over 3,000 meters and 19 glaciers stretching across the landscape. Seriously spectacular. As for the drive itself, it's a fully paved route branching off the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, though it's not your typical Sunday cruise. The 1.7-kilometer ascent packs in 175 meters of elevation gain, meaning you're looking at a steep 10.29% average gradient with plenty of hairpin turns and tight switchbacks to keep things interesting. The pavement is solid (with some concrete sections mixed in), but here's the catch: the road gets genuinely narrow toward the summit, especially on the final stretch. That's why caravans and vehicles over 3.5 tons are banned from the route. Challenging? Maybe a bit. But nothing that'll send your heart racing—just respect the curves, take your time, and soak in those Alpine views.