Where is Col du Liorin?
France, europe
4.2 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Nestled in the Isère department of southeastern France, the Col du Liorin is a must-try for adventurous drivers. This mountain pass climbs to a respectable elevation. You'll find it south of the popular Combe Laval, acting as a quieter, more technical alternative within the regional park.
What's the road like? Expect a proper alpine experience! The surface is paved, but it's narrow, weathered, and steep in sections. Think tall grass, pine forests close to the edges (watch out for damp spots and debris!), and a serious lack of guardrails. Passing can be tricky, so this one's best for experienced drivers who enjoy a "back-country" feel.
The Liorin clocks in at just 4.2 km (2.6 miles), running south to north from Saint-Julien-en-Vercors. Don't let the short distance fool you — it's an intense climb with a good bit of vertical gain. The road clings tightly to the hillside, treating you to glimpses of the higher Vercors ridges. Heads up: snow and ice can linger in the shaded sections well into spring, so winter tires or chains might be needed at times.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 4.2 km
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
easyWhere is Ejer Bavnehøj?
🌍 Denmark
Okay, so you wanna drive the highest road in Denmark? Get ready to cruise to Ejer Bavnehøj! This is the spot, near the village of Ejer in eastern Jutland, where you'll find the country's highest natural point. Don't expect Everest, though – we're talking about a modest hill that tops out at around 170 meters. The road itself? Think narrow and paved, stretching for just about 3.6 km (2.23 miles) from Tebstrup. The views from the top are pretty sweet, especially when you soak in the panorama of meadows, farms, and classic Danish countryside. Plus, there’s a cool monument at the summit, so you can snap a pic and say you conquered the highest road in Denmark!
extremeWhere is the Via del Sale road?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you, your trusty 4x4, and the legendary Via del Sale, aka the Salt Road. This isn't just a drive; it's an adventure straddling the Italian/French border, high up in the Ligurian Alps. We're talking serious bragging rights here. This historic military track kicks off near Limone Piemonte and winds its way to Monesi di Triora. We're talking about 30 kilometers (almost 19 miles) of pure, unadulterated off-road fun on unpaved roads covered in loose gravel and rocks. Don't let the relatively short distance fool you, though. This isn't a Sunday drive! Allocate at least half a day, maybe a full day, to really soak it all in—and tackle those tricky sections. The "Salt Road" moniker? That's a throwback to its days as a vital trade route, moving salt from the Mediterranean to Turin. Later, it bulked up as a key military route, so you'll spot remnants of that history, like hand-carved tunnels and stone walls clinging to the cliffs. Speaking of cliffs, you'll need a high-clearance 4x4, no question. This route demands respect. Think steep climbs, hairpin turns, and, oh yeah, sections with zero guardrails and serious vertical drops. After a rainstorm, scout ahead on foot, as parts of the path can get dicey! You'll conquer passes like Passo della Guardia and Passo di Collardente, topping out near Colle di Perla at 2,239 meters high! Important deets: this beauty is seasonal, generally closed from October to late May because of snow. Even in summer, double-check if it's open. Since 2019, you need to book your entry in advance, and spots are limited each day. Also, keep an eye out for days reserved for hikers and cyclists, when cars aren't allowed. Remember, you're going off-grid. No gas stations, no repair shops, and iffy cell service. Bring a full-size spare tire, not just a patch kit, plenty of water, and be ready for fog that can roll in fast and thick. But trust me, the views—stretching from the Alps to the Ligurian Sea on a clear day—are worth every white-knuckle moment. Get ready for an epic ride!
hardAlpe Plane Refuge
🇮🇹 Italy
# Rifugio Agrituristico Alpe Plane Perched at a stunning 2,085 meters (6,840 feet) in Italy's Cottian Alps, this mountain refuge is tucked away in the Province of Turin and offers an adventure that's not for the faint of heart. The road getting there? Yeah, it's a wild one. We're talking gravel, seriously steep, and narrow enough to keep you on your toes. Mother Nature has the final say here—the route can shut down without warning whenever the weather decides to throw a tantrum. If you're thinking about making the trip, bring a 4x4; you're going to need it. Here's the thing: after rain hits, this track turns into a slippery mud pit that'll test even experienced drivers. And if a storm rolls through? Forget about it. The road becomes practically impassable, even for the most capable four-wheel-drive vehicles. Timing is everything on this one, so check those forecasts before you go!
moderateHow to drive the iconic road to Oclini Pass in the Dolomites?
🇮🇹 Italy
Passo di Oclini (also called Oclini – Jochgrimm) is a stunning high-altitude mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,995m (6,545ft) in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of northern Italy. Tucked away in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano–South Tyrol within Val di Fiemme, this pass has become a proper mountain hub with a ski resort, hotels, and a spacious parking lot right at the summit. The Via Lavaze winds through the pass for 9.8 km (6.08 miles), stretching east-west from Passo di Lavaze to Stadt. The journey kicks off on smooth, fully paved road that takes you up to the summit, but fair warning—once you crest the top and head down the western side, it transitions to gravel. The entire route has a bit of a bumpy character to it, with moderate traffic and some seriously steep sections that'll test your nerves at gradients up to 9%. The ascent from Passo di Lavaze is relatively short at just 3.6 km (2.23 miles), climbing 187 meters with an average gradient of around 5%. Nestled in the heart of the Dolomites, this pass stays open year-round thanks to its relatively mild climate, though you might spot brief winter closures when the snow rolls in.