Where is Col du Jandri?
France, europe
26.9 km
1.73 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in France, deep in the Ecrins massif of the Alps, ready to tackle Col du Jandri. This isn't your average Sunday drive! We're talking about a climb up to 3,165 meters (that's 10,383 feet!) making it one of the highest roads you can find in Europe.
Think of it as a service road for the Les Deux Alpes ski station, but don't let that fool you. This "R1-2 trail" is a beast! The climb starts near Le Bourg-d'Oisans and stretches for nearly 27 kilometers. You'll gain over 2,400 meters in elevation, so be prepared for an average gradient of 9.1% and some sections hitting a crazy 16%!
The road starts paved, but after 1,730 meters, things get interesting. It turns to gravel, and while manageable on a road bike (if you're hardcore), be ready for a winding, rocky, dusty, and often steep climb. Those super-steep grades will test your legs and your gearing.
Usually open in the summer, the reward at the top is worth every ounce of effort. You'll find a restaurant with insane panoramic views of the Glacier de Mont-de-Lans. Trust me, the views are worth it.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 26.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 1.73 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateA939 is one of Scotland's top roads
🇬🇧 Scotland
Okay, picture this: The A939, aka Lecht Road or Old Military Road, snaking through the Scottish Highlands—seriously, one of the UK's best drives! We're talking super-steep sections here, with gradients hitting a wild 20%. Nestled in Cairngorms National Park, this gem stretches for about 60 miles (96 km) from Nairn, right on the Moray Coast, down to Ballater in Aberdeenshire. This baby's paved and boasts a killer layout – think graceful curves mixed with rollercoaster-like hills. For a good chunk of the way, it follows the old military road built after the Jacobite rising. Back in the day, this was an important route carved out by William Caulfield, a British Army officer who was responsible for hundreds of miles of roads. Perched high in the Grampian Mountains, it peaks at Lecht Pass, a lofty 2,119 feet (646m) above sea level – one of the highest roads around! Usually, it's open year-round, but watch out for winter closures due to gnarly weather. It's often the first road in Britain to get snowed under between Cock Bridge and Tomintoul. You'll climb Dava Moor, Bridge of Brown, Lecht Pass, and Gairnshiel Summit. Budget about 1.5 to 2 hours to drive it straight through. And trust me, it's worth it: it's bumpy, twisty, and often has zero cell service, but the scenery is epic. It's smack-dab in the middle of nowhere: bare landscapes, endless mountain views, sheep chilling in the fields, and you might even spot some deer! It's a must-drive. It's got that classic Scotland scenery and barely any traffic because most folks stick to the highway next to the park.
moderateThe road to Col de la Toviere in the Alps isn't for sissies
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Tovière: A High-Alpine Adventure Ready for some serious altitude? Col de la Tovière sits at a breathtaking 2,682m (8,799ft) above sea level in the Savoie department of France, making it one of the country's highest driveable peaks. You'll find it tucked away in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in the southeast, hugging the Italian border within the stunning Vanoise National Park. Starting from Tignes, this wild 2.8km (1.73-mile) climb gains a punishing 632m of elevation—we're talking an average gradient of 22.57% that'll test your nerves and your vehicle's grit. Here's the catch: the road is completely unpaved and serves as a service road for the chairlift, so only 4x4 vehicles need apply. This isn't a casual Sunday drive. The payoff? Absolutely worth it. At the summit, you can grab a meal at Restaurant Altitude de Tovière while soaking in panoramic views across Parc National de la Vanoise and the surrounding alpine landscape. The scenery is genuinely spectacular. Fair warning though: this route is only open from July to September. The brutal winters and heavy snow make it completely impassable from October through June. Time your visit right, and you'll experience one of France's most exhilarating mountain roads.
moderateHow long is National Tourist Route Varanger?
🇳🇴 Norway
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure along the National Tourist Route Varanger! This 160km (99-mile) coastal road in Arctic Norway hugs the Varanger Peninsula in Finnmark county, taking you from Varangerbotn to Hamningberg, right along the icy Barents Sea. Keep in mind this road's a seasonal star – usually closed from November to May. When it's open, you'll start among the cozy birch forests and bogs of Varangerbotn, climbing to a modest 123m (403ft) above sea level. You'll end up in a wild, lunar-like landscape of dramatic cliffs at the world's edge. Give yourself about 2.5 to 3.5 hours for the drive, but trust me, you'll want to stop! The Arctic climate creates a stunning contrast-filled journey. And if you're a bird lover, you're in for a treat – Varanger is a birding hotspot! Just be aware that some sections of the road are narrow, so drive carefully. Also, note that Hamningbergveien between Smelror and Hamningberg closes down during the winter season.
moderateColle della Lace
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventurers, listen up! I've got a secret Italian gem to share: Colle della Lace. Perched way up in the Biellese Alps, right on the border between Aosta and Piedmont, this peak clocks in at a cool 2,047 meters (that’s 6,715 feet!). Now, getting there is an adventure in itself. Forget smooth asphalt – you're talking gravel, rocks, and a seriously bumpy ride. Trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one. Unless you're a pro at off-road driving, maybe skip this one. And heads up, most of the time (October to June), this route is a no-go thanks to the weather. But if you catch it right, the views? Totally worth it. Just you, your trusty vehicle, and some incredible scenery.