Where is Col de Pierre Plate?

Where is Col de Pierre Plate?

France, europe

Length

5.8 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, adventurers, let's talk about Col de Pierre Plate, a seriously scenic mountain pass tucked away in the Lozère department of France. You'll find this gem nestled within the Cévennes National Park, in the south of France.

This isn't your grandma's Sunday drive! The entire route is paved, but hold on tight – it's a twisty-turny climb with some genuinely steep sections hitting gradients of up to 11.8%. The road's pretty narrow in spots.

The full stretch is about 5.8 kilometers from Les Vignes to Florac. If you're tackling it from the Florac side, you'll be gaining around 340 meters in altitude, which works out to an average gradient of nearly 6%.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
5.8 km
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Driving the paved road to Wurzen Pass in the Limestone Alpsmoderate

Driving the paved road to Wurzen Pass in the Limestone Alps

🇦🇹 Austria

Wurzenpass-Korensko Sedlo sits pretty at 1,073 meters (3,520 feet) right on the Austrian-Slovenian border, connecting Carinthia with Slovenia's Upper Carniola region. This mountain pass has serious history—traders were already using it back in the 15th century, and the first proper road rolled through in 1734. Today, you'll find this fully paved route carved through the stunning Karawanks mountains in the Southern Limestone Alps. Known as B109 Wurzenpass Straße on the Austrian side and Slovenian highway No. 201 across the border, it's an 11.2-kilometer drive linking the Austrian town of Radendorf to the Slovenian village of Kranjska Gora (sitting on the Sava Dolinka River). Fair warning: this isn't your straightforward mountain drive. The road is seriously twisty with some intense grades hitting 18 percent—your brakes will definitely get a workout. Summer is peak season here since it's one of the most popular crossings between the two countries, so expect plenty of company on the pavement, especially in warm months. But if you're after gorgeous Alpine scenery mixed with a bit of driving challenge, this pass delivers.

Where is Timmelsjoch Pass (Passo del Rombo)?hard

Where is Timmelsjoch Pass (Passo del Rombo)?

🇦🇹 Austria

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Timmelsjoch Pass, also called Passo del Rombo, straddling the Austrian-Italian border high in the Ötztal Alps. At a cool 2,479m (8,133ft), you're practically breathing the same air as the alpine gods! This isn't just any road trip; it's a high-altitude adventure connecting Austria's Ötztal valley with Italy's Passeier Valley. Construction wrapped in the late 1950s, and it’s been a must-drive for anyone craving hairpin turns and insane views ever since. The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road is a toll road that clocks in at 34.6km (21.49 miles) of pure driving bliss (11.9 km in Austria and 22.7 km in Italy). We're talking 60 turns, 30 of them hairpins, and gradients that can hit nearly 13%! Convertibles, motorcycles, mountain bikes – you name it, this road was made for it. Heads up, though: Italian side has some restrictions thanks to narrow bits and bridge work, so double-check for your vehicle type. No massive buses or lorries allowed. The pass is typically open from early June to late October, 7 am to 8 pm, but don’t underestimate Mother Nature. This place can get seriously snowy, with winds that'll bite right through you. Give yourself around 90-100 minutes to soak it all in, and plan for some stops. You'll be snaking past glaciers, crystal-clear streams, and rock faces that look like they were sculpted by giants. The road itself is top-notch, so you can focus on the epic scenery. Trust me, this isn't just a drive; it's an experience.

Col de la Met is one of the highest mountain roads in Europehard

Col de la Met is one of the highest mountain roads in Europe

🇫🇷 France

# Col de la Met Nestled in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Col de la Met is a serious high-altitude adventure sitting at 2,750m (9,022ft). This is genuine mountain territory—part of the Rhône-Alpes region where the views are absolutely incredible. Here's the thing: this isn't your typical scenic drive. The 6km route from the paved D1006 climbs a brutal 679m with an average gradient of 11.31%, which means you're looking at some seriously steep terrain. The road is completely unpaved—it's basically a chairlift access trail that only opens during summer months. You'll need a proper 4x4 to even attempt this one. The trail is rough, unforgiving, and definitely one of France's wildest roads. But if you've got the right vehicle and the nerve? The payoff is spectacular. From the summit, you'll take in sweeping views of Lac de Mont Cenis and the surrounding alpine peaks. It's the kind of road that makes you feel like you've genuinely conquered something. This is peak season adventure driving—literally and figuratively.

Driving through a roundabout in a tunnel in Norwaymoderate

Driving through a roundabout in a tunnel in Norway

🇳🇴 Norway

# The Bømlafjord Tunnel Roundabout: Norway's Underground Marvel Tucked beneath the waters of western Norway, near Eidfjord in Vestland County, sits one of the world's most mind-bending driving experiences—a fully functional roundabout *inside* a subsea tunnel. Yes, you read that right. This incredible feat of engineering lives within the Bømlafjord Tunnel (Bømlafjordtunnelen), part of the E39 highway. The tunnel connects the islands of Stord and Bømlo to the mainland and holds the distinction of being one of the world's deepest subsea tunnels. Navigating a roundabout while underwater? That's peak Norway right there. **Getting There** Simply follow the E39 highway and drive straight into the tunnel—just stick to the speed limits and road signs like you would anywhere else. The tunnel is well-lit and designed for regular highway traffic, so it's a straightforward drive despite its unusual feature. **What to Know** There's no entrance fee for the roundabout itself, though tolls may apply on the E39 depending on where you enter and exit. Vehicle type affects pricing, so check before you go. If you're on a motorbike, you can safely snap a quick photo at the roundabout. Car and larger vehicle drivers should skip the photo stop and keep moving. And pro tip: make sure your vehicle is in good condition before tackling long subsea tunnels. **The Wow Factor** Here's the kicker—this isn't even Norway's only underground roundabout. The country boasts around 14 roundabouts tucked inside tunnels, with another nearby one just north across a bridge. It's a quirky testament to Scandinavian engineering creativity and the dramatic demands of fjord-region infrastructure. For adventurous drivers, this is a genuinely unforgettable stop that perfectly captures the spirit of Norway's wild, ingenious landscape.