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
extremeCan you drive through Forcella Lavardet?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: Forcella Lavardet, tucked away in the Veneto region of Italy, is a wild ride through the Dolomites. This old military road, officially SP465, climbs up from the tiny village of Campolongo towards the Strada Statale 465. The climb is about 10.4km (6.46 miles) long, with an elevation gain of 599 meters, averaging a 5.75% gradient, and hitting a max of 13% in some spots. At 1,547m (5,075ft) above sea level, it’s not just the altitude that takes your breath away. Now, here’s the kicker: the road is mostly unpaved, with a few paved sections. It's actually closed to vehicles due to past landslides and floods, especially from way back in '93, but it's open for biking or hiking. You’ll be navigating some seriously tight squeezes, crossing wooden bridges (new ones, thankfully!), and keeping an eye out for landslides. This baby is known for its 14 hairpin turns – the *Tornanti della Forcella del Lavardet* – they are super tight and scenic! It's steep, narrow, and you definitely need to take it slow around those blind corners, because you won't see cars coming! So, if you're up for an adventure on two wheels or two feet, Forcella Lavardet promises views and thrills you won't forget.
moderateNufenen Pass
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Nufenen Pass: Switzerland's Secret Alpine Gem Want to discover Switzerland's highest road pass without fighting crowds of tourists? The Nufenen Pass (Passo della Novena) might be exactly what you're looking for. Sitting at a breath-taking 2,478 meters, this 37-kilometer route connects the charming German-speaking village of Ulrichen in upper Valais with Airolo in Italian-speaking Ticino, dramatically crossing the watershed between the Rhone and Po river basins. Here's what makes it special: the drive itself is a study in contrasts. You'll start climbing through the Goms valley, watching the vegetation get sparser and sparser until you reach the barren, windswept summit—a genuinely wild place marked by a small mountain lake. Then comes the fun part: the descent into the Bedretto Valley is longer, twistier, and packed with tighter hairpin turns that'll keep you engaged the whole way down. The cultural shift is just as dramatic as the landscape, moving from German-speaking Switzerland into Italian-influenced Ticino. One quirk worth knowing: this pass didn't get its paved surface until 1969, making it one of Switzerland's latest-developed major alpine crossings. That alpine altitude comes with trade-offs though—it's typically only open from mid-June to mid-October, and yes, snow can surprise you even in summer months. Just another reason to respect the mountains and check conditions before heading up.
hardA journey through the legendary Strada degli Scarubbi
🇮🇹 Italy
# Strada degli Scarubbi: A WWI Mountain Adventure Want to experience a piece of Alpine history? The Strada degli Scarubbi winds through the Vicentine Alps along the border between Veneto and Trentino-South Tyrol. This 10.5km gem starts at Passo Xomo (1,058m) and climbs to Rifugio Generale Achille Papa at a breathtaking 1,928m—a road built by the Italian Army in 1915 that's packed with dramatic stories and even more dramatic views. Here's the thing about this route: it's not for the faint of heart. Originally carved as a military mule track during WWI, soldiers had to navigate it under cover of darkness to dodge Austrian artillery fire. They even developed sneaky tactics like stopping on blind curves to avoid enemy targeting. Pretty intense stuff. The drive itself is a masterclass in mountain road engineering. You'll start with a steady 10% climb through tarred natural surface, then hit the standout section—a flat stretch carved dramatically into the rock face with stunning spire views. This beautiful section is also the trickiest; spring rains often trigger small landslides, keeping it genuinely challenging. The final push to the summit winds through demanding switchbacks with seriously impressive alpine scenery. Fair warning: expect wild temperature swings as you climb. The northern exposure means it's basically impassable in winter and early spring. The real shocker? Many visitors say you can't experience this place just once—it demands a return visit. Now closed to regular traffic (accessible only to refuge managers), the road still attracts serious mountain bikers and hikers drawn to its rare combination of WWI history, rugged beauty, and pure mountain adventure.
hardPuntal de la Misa, a wild drive in Spain
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puntal de la Misa: Spain's Most Thrilling Mountain Drive Ready for one of the wildest rides in Spain? Puntal de la Misa towers at 1,754m (5,754ft) in Jaén province, Andalusia, nestled within the stunning Natural Park Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and the Villas. Fair warning: this isn't a casual Sunday drive. You'll absolutely need a 4WD vehicle with serious ground clearance and a driver who knows their way around a mountain. The gravel and rocky road is narrow, tippy, and bumpy in places, with steep sections hitting 20% gradients and hairpin curves that'll make your palms sweat. Those dangerous dropoffs aren't jokes either—stay focused and drive with respect for this beast. But here's the payoff: the views are absolutely phenomenal. As you climb higher, vegetation gradually vanishes until you're surrounded by bare, windswept broom at the summit. What really gets you is that jaw-dropping panorama across the broad valley of the River Segura—endless mountain peaks stretching to the horizon. Seriously, bring a camera with plenty of memory. You'll fill it. The summit (also called Pico Cobos) even has a fire lookout hut that operates during summer months. The wildlife here is incredible too—Spanish ibex roam the slopes while griffon vultures and peregrine falcons soar overhead. Wild boar are common throughout the area. One crucial heads-up: winds howl year-round, and winter snowfall can close the road without warning. Avoid this drive in bad weather, and if heights make you queasy, save yourself the stress. This one's definitely not for the faint of heart—but if you're up for an unforgettable adrenaline rush, it's absolutely worth it.