Where is Col du Joly?

Where is Col du Joly?

France, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

1,989 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Rhône-Alpes region of France, right on the border of Haute-Savoie and Savoie. You're headed for Col du Joly, a mountain pass that tops out at a cool 1,989m (6,525ft).

The road? Well, the south side's mostly paved, but the north gets a little more adventurous with a well-maintained unpaved section. Think Beaufort (Beaufort-sur-Doron) on one side, Les Contamines-Montjoie on the other, connecting south to north. It can get a bit narrow in places, and there's usually a bit of traffic heading up to Chez Gaston restaurant at the summit – a popular spot for hikers starting the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Now, this isn't a Sunday drive – some sections get pretty steep, hitting gradients of up to 10.9%! But trust me, it's worth it. Once you reach the top, you're rewarded with one of the most incredible, up-close-and-personal views of Mont Blanc. Seriously breathtaking!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
1,989 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Road F578 is a slippery as hell mudhole in Icelandextreme

Road F578 is a slippery as hell mudhole in Iceland

🇮🇸 Iceland

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're craving a real off-road experience in Iceland's wild heart, F578, aka Arnarvatnsvegur, is calling your name. Located in the Western Highlands, north of the majestic Langjökull glacier, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Forget pavement – we're talking about a 79km (49 miles) track that's more mud, rocks, and potholes than actual road. Seriously, this is 4x4 territory *only*. Many rental companies even ban this road, even for 4x4s, so tread carefully! You'll be traversing lava fields and the Arnarvatnsheiði plateau, with plenty of solitude. The route links Road 704 in the north with Road 518 to the south and is famous for its access to amazing fishing lakes. Expect a bone-jarring ride, with river crossings and mud holes. The southern part is especially rough, while the northern stretch, past Arnarvatn Stóra lake, can be rocky and wet. The road peaks at 589m (1,932ft), so be prepared for unpredictable weather. Keep in mind that river conditions change, especially with rain and warm temperatures, so plan accordingly. Usually, this beast is only open during the summer months (late June to early September). Pack extra food, water, and fuel, and maybe buddy up with another vehicle. This isn't just a drive; it's an Icelandic adventure!

A scenic Alpine road to Col du Telegraphemoderate

A scenic Alpine road to Col du Telegraphe

🇫🇷 France

# Col du Télégraphe: A Classic Alpine Adventure Tucked away in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Col du Télégraphe sits pretty at 1,566 meters (5,138 feet) and serves as one of the crown jewels along the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes. Located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, this pass is an absolute must for any alpine road enthusiast. The journey up D902 is seriously winding—we're talking 14 hairpin turns that'll keep you engaged the entire way. The road stretches 17.5 km (10.87 miles) connecting Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne and Valloire, and it also provides access to the notorious Col du Galibier. At the summit, you'll spot some impressive radio and TV towers housed in a striking cement structure that's visible from miles away. Here's some cool history: the pass gets its name from the Fort du Télégraphe, a fortress built in 1884 that once housed a semaphore telegraph system at its peak. If you're visiting during summer months, you can actually explore the fort itself. The numbers? Coming from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, expect an 11.8 km climb with 856 meters of elevation gain (averaging 7.3%). The Valloire side is gentler—just 4.8 km with 165 meters of gain at 3.4%. The steepest pitches hit 10% gradient, which keeps things interesting. Good news: the road typically stays open year-round, and yes, it's famous enough to have hosted the Tour de France multiple times.

Road TV-2443moderate

Road TV-2443

🇪🇸 Spain

# Carretera TV-2443: A Hidden Gem in Catalonia Looking for a scenic drive that'll make your heart race? Head to the Alt Camp region in southern Catalonia, and you've found it. This 17.4 km stretch of paved road winds east-west from Aiguaviva toward Vila-rodona, and it's an absolute blast to navigate. Picture this: you're cruising through pine and almond groves with the windows down, encountering six satisfying hairpin turns and plenty of twists that'll keep you engaged the entire way. It's the kind of road that makes you forget about straightaways for good. Fair warning though—some sections get pretty tight, so stay alert and take those curves at a respectful pace. The elevation climbs to about 620 meters (2,034 feet), offering some nice elevation changes without being extreme. Traffic is practically nonexistent, which means you can really focus on the driving experience rather than dodging other vehicles. If you're into rally racing, you might recognize this route—it's actually used as a Special Stage in the WRC RallyRACC Catalunya Rally de España. That should tell you something about the quality of this road. Whether you're a serious petrolhead or just someone who enjoys a scenic, twisty drive through the Spanish countryside, TV-2443 delivers on all fronts.

Casetón de Ándara Refugehard

Casetón de Ándara Refuge

🇪🇸 Spain

# Refugio Casetón de Ándarca: Not Your Average Mountain Drive Looking for a real adventure? The route up to Refugio Casetón de Ándarca isn't for the faint of heart. This high-altitude refuge sits at 1,720m (5,643ft) in the stunning Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain, nestled within the famous Picos de Europa National Park. Fair warning: if you're a novice driver, this isn't your road. The trek follows an old mine road that's entirely unpaved—think rugged, unpolished, and seriously challenging. This is a legit mountain drive complete with jaw-dropping views and, yeah, some genuinely sketchy dropoffs. You'll need nerves of steel and solid driving skills to handle the steep grades, with some sections hitting a brutal 15% incline. Starting from the CA-1 road, you're looking at a 3.4km ascent that climbs 407 meters with an average gradient of nearly 12%. It's relentless but absolutely worth it for the scenery. Timing is everything here—stick to late spring through early fall when the weather cooperates. During winter and shoulder seasons, snow can make this route downright treacherous. And yes, a 4x4 vehicle is non-negotiable; anything less and you're asking for trouble. This is the real deal for adventurous drivers who crave a challenge and aren't afraid of some serious mountain roads.