Where is Col du Gollet?
France, europe
4.6 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Col du Gollet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of
above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. Situated at the coordinates
, it serves as the gateway to the higher ridges of the Valmorel ski area.
Where is Col du Gollet?
The pass is located in the Auvergne-RhĂ´ne-Alpes region, within the southeastern part of the country. It sits at the top of the Valmorel ski resort, serving as a critical junction on the ridge. From this point, the track continues its ascent toward the more demanding
Road facts: Col du Gollet
Unpaved / Two-track / Loose Rocks
4x4 or High-clearance vehicle
Is the road to Col du Gollet unpaved?
Yes. The route is a rocky two-track service road used primarily for chairlift maintenance and mountain access. As seen on-site, the surface is composed of embedded stones and loose gravel with vegetation growing between the tracks. While it appears stable in dry conditions, the uneven nature of the terrain and the presence of loose scree require a high-clearance vehicle. Standard cars risk bottoming out on the central ridge of the track.
How long and steep is the road to Col du Gollet?
Starting from Les Avanchers-Valmorel, the ascent covers 4.6km (2.85 miles). The climb is constant and features several open hairpins. Beyond the pass, the road narrows significantly and the terrain becomes more aggressive as it leads towards the higher peaks of the Vanoise range.
Is it open year-round?
No. Set high in the Massif de la Vanoise, the road is typically impassable from late October to early June due to heavy snow accumulation. During the summer, it is a popular route for hikers and mountain bikers; motorized drivers should exercise extreme caution and yield to non-motorized users on the narrowest sections.
Col Saint-Bernard road in Castellar: A brutal 4WD climb in the Alpes-Maritimes
How to drive the curvy road to Col de la Taillade in the Pyrenees
Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our
to discover the most spectacular roads of the world
Drive Us to Your Road!
With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click
to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
Where is it?
Where is Col du Gollet? is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.4501, 6.4385
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 4.6 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 45.4501, 6.4385
Related Roads in europe
hardSebina Occidentale-SP469: One of Italy's Most Scenic Roads
🇮🇹 Italy
# Sebina Occidentale: Italy's Heart-Pounding Lakeside Drive If you're hunting for one of Italy's most spectacular—and nerve-wracking—road trips, look no further than Sebina Occidentale. This legendary route hugs the western shore of Lake Iseo in Bergamo, stretching 36.7 km (22.80 miles) from the charming town of Sarnico in the south to Lovere in the north. Built way back in 1910, this fully paved beauty is officially SP469, but locals know it by its more evocative name. Here's the thing: this isn't your average scenic drive. The road is carved directly into the rock face, leaving you with a sheer cliff wall on one side and the glittering lake waters on the other—separated only by slim guardrails that'll definitely make your palms sweat. It's earned the reputation as Bergamo's most dangerous road, and honestly? It lives up to the hype. Local legends whisper of entire families lost to the lake's murky depths, adding an eerie mystique to the journey. But don't let that scare you off. The payoff is absolutely worth it. As you wind along the shore, you'll pass through dramatic tunnels and encounter hidden coves where overhanging trees dip their branches into the water. South of Lovere, the views get especially jaw-dropping. The narrow streets of the coastal towns feel frozen in time—genuinely picturesque and wonderfully unspoiled. Winter drivers beware: from mid-November through mid-April, you'll need winter tires and snow chains. The road typically stays open year-round otherwise. Fun fact: this stunning stretch was the filming location for The International, the Clive Owen and Naomi Watts thriller. So yeah, Hollywood agrees with us—this road is cinema-worthy.
moderateDriving the 136 curves of Klausen Pass in the Swiss Alps
🇨🇠Switzerland
# Klausen Pass (Klausenstrasse): A Swiss Alpine Adventure If you're craving a proper alpine road trip, the Klausen Pass is your answer. Sitting at 1,956 meters (6,417 feet) above sea level in central Switzerland, this legendary 46.6 km stretch of asphalt connects the Uri and Glarus cantons and delivers everything you could want from a mountain drive. Picture this: 136 hairpin curves winding up 1,237 meters of elevation gain. The fully paved Road 17 opened back in 1948 and has been a favorite playground for motorcyclists and cyclists ever since. The first section even features charming historic cobblestone pavement that'll take you back in time. A few small tunnels pepper the route to keep things interesting, and you'll tackle some seriously steep sections—up to 9% gradient in places. Here's the best part: you can reach the foot of this pass in just over an hour from Zurich, making it the first major alpine gateway if you're driving south into the heart of the Alps. Most drivers tackle the whole pass in 1 to 1.5 hours (without stops), though you won't feel rushed. Traffic stays refreshingly light throughout the year. At the summit, you'll find a snug gift shop, snack bar, and bathrooms. There's also a charming historic chapel, the Bruder-Klaus-Kapelle, dating back to 1938. The entire route is dotted with tiny alpine villages that are perfect for exploring. Fair warning: this narrow, curvy mountain road demands respect and attention. The pass closes from November through June or July due to heavy snow, and longer vehicles are permanently restricted. But if you can handle the technical driving, this is an absolute must-do Swiss experience.
extremeD918 is a challenging balcony road in France
🇫🇷 France
# D918: France's Most Thrilling Mountain Balcony Road Want to experience one of Europe's most heart-pounding drives? The D918 in the Pyrenees is calling your name. This iconic 45-kilometer mountain road stretches between the charming towns of Laruns and Argelès-Gazost, taking you on an unforgettable journey through some seriously dramatic scenery. ## The Setup Carved into the mountainside back in the early 1900s, this legendary "balcony road" hugs the edge of towering cliffs with hundred-meter drops on one side and sheer rock faces on the other. It's absolutely not for anyone with a fear of heights—seriously, this one demands respect. ## The Challenge The real test comes at the Cirque du Litor, where the road narrows to a single track winding through the upper Ouzom valley. There's barely enough room for two cars to pass, so you'll find yourself holding your breath and hoping nobody's coming the other way until things finally open up a few kilometers down the line. Add hairpin curves, unlit tunnels, and zero margin for error, and you've got yourself one serious adrenaline rush. ## The Views (and the Reality) You'll reach the summit at 1,713 meters (5,620 feet), where panoramic Pyrenees vistas reward your white-knuckle efforts. Just keep in mind: this road is typically closed December through June due to snow, and Mother Nature can shut it down anytime she feels like it. Drive slow, use those convenient pullouts, and soak in one of the most spectacular—and notorious—roads in all of France.
hardWhere is Serpentine Road?
🇬🇧 Scotland
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're heading to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, off Scotland's west coast, you HAVE to experience Serpentine Road. This paved wonder climbs Canada Hill and it's seriously one of the UK's quirkier roads. Think of Lombard Street in San Francisco, but with a Scottish twist! Why all the twists and turns? Well, back when Rothesay was a booming Victorian resort, these 14 hairpin bends were cleverly designed to help horses haul building materials up to the fancy manor house at the top. And let me tell you, it's steep! We're talking a maximum gradient of 10% in places as it snakes its way up from the town center. This road drops about 70m (230 feet) so it's considered a seriously challenging cycle route. Take it slow on the way down, folks, this isn't for the faint of heart! This little gem is only 0.96km (0.6 miles) long, but every inch is packed with excitement. Plus, the views overlooking Rothesay are absolutely spectacular. It can be a bit tricky if you're not used to it, but that's part of the fun! They even host the Rothesay Cycling Weekend here, a hill-climb event that's been running since the 50s! So get ready for a ride to remember.