Where Is Col de Valberg?
France, europe
19.7 km
1,669 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright, picture this: You're cruising through the Alpes-Maritimes department of France, smack-dab in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. You're heading for the Col de Valberg, a sweet mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,672m (5,475ft).
This gem is tucked inside the Mercantour National Park, so you know the views are going to be epic!
The road itself, the D28, is a well-maintained beauty stretching almost 20 km (12+ miles) from Guillaumes to Beuil. Heads up, it can get a bit busy in the summer as everyone flocks to soak up the scenery.
Now, don't let the wide road fool you, this climb has some bite! Col de Valberg has even been a Tour de France stop, so cyclists know what's up. You'll hit some ramps with gradients up to 11%! From Guillaumes (via St. Brès), it’s a 13+ km climb gaining 880 meters, averaging around 6.7%. Coming from Beuil is shorter but still fun — just over 6 km with a 231-meter climb, averaging 3.8%. Get ready for some stunning views and maybe a little huffing and puffing!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 19.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,669 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
easyAdventure along the Haustsjoen Mountain Road
🇳🇴 Norway
# Haustsjøen Mountain Road Ready for some serious Norwegian mountain scenery? The Haustsjøen Mountain Road winds through Innlandet County in southern Norway, and it's absolutely worth the detour. Named after the picturesque Haustsjøen Lake, this 22 km (13.67 miles) stretch takes you from Grimsbu all the way east to Fylkesveg 686 Road near Alvdal—and yeah, it's a toll road, but trust us, the views make it worthwhile. Here's the real talk: the entire route is unpaved, which adds to the adventure. You *can* tackle most of it in a regular car, but once you hit Reinslia heading east, good ground clearance becomes essential for that final couple of kilometers. If you want the smoothest ride and total peace of mind, bring a 4x4. The road climbs to a peak elevation of 1,035m (3,395 ft), snaking through absolutely stunning mountain terrain. Along the way, you'll spot charming little mountain huts scattered throughout the landscape that feel straight out of a Nordic fairy tale. It's the kind of drive that makes you understand why people fall in love with Norway's wilderness.
moderateIs the road through Karabet Geçidi paved?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! Let's talk about the Karabet Geçidi, a seriously high mountain pass tucked away in Turkey's Van Province. We're talking almost 10,000 feet (2,994m) above sea level, making it one of the highest drives in the country! The road itself, the Bahcesaray-Catak road (also known as Krapet Geçidi), is a smooth, paved beauty. But don't get too comfortable – you'll be twisting and turning through a whole heap of hairpin bends for about 26.5 miles (42.7 km) as you climb from Bahçesaray towards Gevaş Çatak Yolu Road. Now, the lowdown: This pass is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather forecast, especially in winter. This area gets hammered with snow, and short-term closures are pretty common. But hey, if you time it right, spring brings a crazy explosion of wildflowers. Locals say that for half the year, these mountains "belong to God"! Pretty epic, right?
moderateIs Road 61 in Iceland paved?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Get ready for an unforgettable Icelandic adventure on Route 61, also known as Djúpavegur, the Midnight Sun Road! This fully paved coastal gem snakes through the stunning Westfjords region. Stretching 249 km (155 miles) from Road 60 to Ísafjörður, the Westfjords' biggest town, this route promises epic views and relatively little traffic. Budget about 3-4 hours of pure driving time, but trust me, you'll want to stop! Keep in mind, though, that this road isn't entirely without its challenges. It climbs to 440m (1,443ft) at the Steingrimsfjörðurheiði Pass, with some seriously steep sections. Winter travelers, take note: this pass can get dicey and often closes due to high winds or storms. Always check weather and road conditions before you go. One quirky highlight? Keep an eye out for the roadside cairns, those cool stacks of stones that help guide you along the way.
moderateA sensational paved road to Misurina Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
Passo di Misurina is a stunning high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,756m (5,761ft) in the Province of Belluno, Italy. Located in the Veneto region up north, this spot is an absolute gem for anyone craving alpine scenery. The real showstopper here? Lago di Misurina at the summit – a crystal-clear lake that earned its nickname "Pearl of Cadore" for all the right reasons. The views are seriously postcard-worthy, and you'll find plenty of hotels and restaurants up there, making it a solid tourist destination. Nestled in the Dolomites-Alps, the road up is completely paved – we're talking Strada Provinciale 49 di Misurina (SP49). The drive itself is 8.7 km (5.40 miles) long, running from the SR48 road at Carbonin (Schluderbach) northward to the summit. The good news? You can tackle this route year-round. Just keep in mind that winter weather can occasionally force temporary closures, so it's worth checking conditions before you head out during the colder months. But when conditions are good, this is one scenic ride you won't want to miss.