
Where is Col de la Légette?
France, europe
2.5 km
1,776 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're winding your way up Col de la Légette, a seriously cool mountain pass nestled in the Savoie department of France. We're talking Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, southeast France vibes!
Park the car at the top and soak it all in. The road, known as Route des Crêtes, is mostly unpaved, adding a touch of ruggedness to the adventure. Heads up, though – being way up in the Alps, this road is usually a no-go during the winter months.
From the D218B road near Les Saisies, it's a quick 2.5 km (1.55 miles) push to the top. You'll gain about 120 meters in elevation, so expect an average gradient of around 4.8%. The views? Absolutely worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 2.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,776 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateRoad Trip Guide: Conquering Llauset Lake in Aragon
🇪🇸 Spain
Lago de Llauset is a stunning high mountain reservoir tucked away in the Province of Huesca, Spain, sitting pretty at 2,250m (7,381ft) above sea level in the Aragon region of northeastern Spain. Ready for an adventure? Start from Senet, a charming town in Lleida province, Catalonia, and prepare yourself for a 12.2km (7.5 miles) climb that'll gain you a serious 1,099 meters of elevation. You're looking at an average gradient of 9% — so yeah, it's steep, but totally doable. The road is mostly paved, though fair warning: it gets pretty narrow in spots, and the asphalt quality takes a hit as you climb higher. The further you go, the more dramatic and desolate the landscape becomes. You'll notice the tarmac getting rougher and more worn as you ascend. The final 1.5km stretches through a tunnel to reach the dam, but don't worry — it's well-lit and stays nice and straight, making the passage surprisingly smooth. Nestled in the Natural Park of Posets-Maladeta, this route offers absolutely breathtaking mountain scenery. Just keep in mind: winter's a no-go zone up here. The altitude and gnarly weather conditions make the road inaccessible from roughly November through April, so plan your visit for the warmer months if you want to actually make it to the lake.
hardCol dei S'Cios: Driving the scenic Strada della Dorsale in Pordenone
🇮🇹 Italy
# Col dei S'Cios: A Ridge-Top Alpine Adventure Tucked away in Pordenone Province in Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, Col dei S'Cios sits at a breezy 1,342m (4,402ft) elevation, offering one of those mountain passes that feels genuinely remote. The road here—officially the Strada della Dorsale Interna del Cavallo—winds through the southern Carnic Prealps with views that sweep out over the Venetian plains below. This is the kind of place where you actually get to hear yourself think, a refreshing change from the crowded ski resort scene nearby. The 20.8 km (12.9 miles) stretch is a real mixed bag. You'll find yourself driving on everything from gravel to concrete slabs, with the concrete sections appearing mostly on the northern side where things get steep. It's rough and loose in spots—very much a Friulian mountain experience—so bring a vehicle with solid ground clearance. Fair warning: those concrete slabs turn genuinely slippery when wet or frosted over, so you'll need to dial in your speed carefully on the tighter sections. Expect some serious curves along this ridge-following route. Seven sharp hairpins will keep you engaged, and the constant elevation changes mean this isn't a quick blast through. The whole traverse demands respect: fill up your tank before you go because there's absolutely nothing out here once you leave civilization. The Rifugio Maset near the summit is a helpful landmark to aim for, but it's more of a waypoint than a refueling option. Weather is the big wildcard. Winter basically shuts this road down from November through May due to snow and ice. Late May through October is your window for regular vehicles, though 4x4s have a bit more flexibility. Even in summer, expect gusty ridge winds and the occasional afternoon thunderstorm that'll test your traction on the gravel sections. Always check conditions in Pordenone before heading out—this ridge doesn't mess around.
moderateWhere is Bellecombe?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're carving through the Alps, right on the French-Italian border, heading for Bellecombe. This peak sits way up high at 2,602 meters! Forget paved paradise, though; this 12-kilometer stretch is all rugged, unpaved adventure. You'll be linking Savoie in France to the Aosta Valley in Italy, with Mont Blanc looming in the distance. Word to the wise: you'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle this one. Oh, and pro tip: don't even think about it in the winter – this road is buried in snow. But when it's open? Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery, with views for days!
extremeWhen was Rallarvegen built?
🇳🇴 Norway
Rallarvegen, nestled in the heart of Norway, is legendary – arguably *the* best cycling road in the country! Picture yourself pedaling alongside the Hardangervidda Plateau on this 82 km (51-mile) beauty. Built way back between 1902 and 1904 as a construction road for the Bergenbanen railway, it's now a super popular route from Haugastøl through Finse, Hallingskeid, Myrdal, and all the way down to Flåm. Heads up: This isn't your average Sunday drive. Forget about taking your car unless you have serious off-road skills and a vehicle to match (think special permission required!). This road wasn’t really designed for vehicles, and it can get pretty dicey. Towering up to 1,343m (4,406ft) in Aurland County, Rallarvegen is totally unpaved, so expect some steep climbs and switchbacks. Keep in mind: you can only tackle this adventure from mid-July to September. The rest of the year, it’s buried under snow! The views, though? Absolutely worth it. Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery.