Where is Col de Mantet?
France, europe
17.3 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the French Pyrenees, near the border with Spain, and you stumble upon Col de Mantet. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks! We're talking a seriously narrow, paved ribbon of road, D66, stretching for about 17.3 kilometers.
The views? Absolutely breathtaking! But hold on tight, because one side is often a sheer, unprotected drop of hundreds of feet. Talk about an adrenaline rush! The road climbs like crazy, hitting some seriously steep grades. To top it off, you might find sections covered in snow or ice, even in warmer months. L’Ubayette Bridge is spectacular as you pass by. So, if you're feeling adventurous and have a head for heights, Col de Mantet is an experience you won't soon forget!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 17.3 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
moderateA memorable road trip to Costazza Pass in the Alps
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo della Costazza: A Hidden Alpine Gem Looking for an off-the-beaten-path mountain adventure? Passo della Costazza, perched at 2,181 meters (7,155 feet) in Italy's Trentino-Alto Adige region, is calling your name. Also known as Baita Segantini, this stunning pass sits within the Parco Naturale Paneveggio Pale di San Martino, cradled on the ridge between Val Travignolo and Val Cismon. The drive itself is an experience—totally unpaved with chunky stones scattered across the surface and plenty of hairpin turns to keep things interesting. Starting from Passo Rolle on SS50, you're looking at just 2.9 km (1.80 miles) of climbing with a respectable 7.6% average gradient. Nothing too brutal, but definitely a character-building ascent. Once you reach the top, you'll understand why it's worth the bumpy ride. The views toward Cimon di Pala are absolutely breathtaking. There's a charming mountain restaurant housed in a historic shepherd's cottage—yes, the very place where 19th-century painter Segantini once made his home. You'll also find a peaceful little lake, Laghetto Baita Segantini, and a touching monument honoring Alfredo Paluselli, a mountaineer-poet who spent his solitary years here until his death in 1969. Fair warning: this road is completely snowbound in winter, so save this adventure for warmer months when you can fully appreciate the Alpine scenery.
hardHow To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Pico Agujas
🇪🇸 Spain
Pico Agujas is a stunning high mountain peak sitting at 2,101m (6,893ft) in León province, tucked away in the northwestern corner of Castile and León, Spain. Want a real adventure? The route up to this summit—also called Collado Agujas or Collá las Agujas—is completely unpaved and seriously not for the faint of heart. This is the service road for the San Isidro ski resort's chairlift, and it's packed with tight hairpin turns and gnarly steep sections that demand a proper 4x4 vehicle to tackle. Nestled within the beautiful Redes Natural Park, the road stretches just 3.8 km (2.36 miles) from the Aparcamiento Sector Cebolledo parking lot to the summit. You'll gain 406m in elevation over that distance, which works out to an average gradient of 10.68%—no joke. Fair warning though: this route is basically off-limits from October through June, so plan your visit for the warmer months if you're serious about making the drive.
hardWhere is Stelvio Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: You're in northern Italy, near Switzerland, ready to tackle the legendary Passo dello Stelvio. This isn't just any mountain pass, it's a masterpiece of engineering, snaking its way up the Ortler Alps. The whole thing stretches for about 47 km (29 miles) from Bormio to Prato Allo Stelvio, but the views? Totally worth it. From Prato, get ready for 48 hairpin turns that climb seemingly forever, switchbacking towards the sky. Trust me, you'll want to pull over at that "balcony" viewpoint to snap some pics of the crazy bends – it's postcard-perfect. Now, this isn't a Sunday cruise. Some sections are narrow, and the inclines can get pretty steep. Locals have even called it "homicidal," so pay attention! You'll be winding through tunnels and facing those infamous 180-degree corners where a tiny barrier is all that separates you from a serious drop. The climb from Prato is over 24 km with an elevation gain of 1,808 meters. The average percentage is 7.4%! If you come from Bormio, it’s a bit more gentle: the ascent is 21.5 km long, with an elevation gain of 1,533 meters and the average percentage is 7.1%. Fausto Coppi, a cycling legend, said he felt like he was "going to die" riding it, so yeah, it's challenging! Heads up: This road is typically open from June to September, but snow can shut it down anytime. The weather here is seriously unpredictable, so pack accordingly. Fun fact: The original road was built way back in the 1820s! It's stood the test of time, offering a thrilling and scenic route through the Alps.
extremeIs the road to Giogo della Bala in the Alps unpaved?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for the Giogo della Bala! This insane mountain pass sits way up in the Italian Alps, in Lombardy, at a dizzying 2,129m (6,984ft). You'll be cruising on Strada Provinziale 345B, aka Delle Tre Valli. The road starts and ends with asphalt, but get ready for some gravel action in the middle. This epic stretch is about 17.4 km (10.81 miles) of pure adrenaline, connecting to the SP 669 road. Now, let's talk thrills. This road hugs cliffs without guardrails, so keep your eyes on the prize. We're talking hairpin turns, insane views, and spots so narrow only one car can squeeze through. Oh, and did I mention the steep drops? Seriously, don't look down! The speed limit is a chill 20 km/h (12 mph) for a reason. Watch out for rocks and rough patches, especially on those curves. Overtaking and stopping are a no-go unless you're in a designated area. But hey, the views from the mountaintops are totally worth it!