Where is Col du Négron?

Where is Col du Négron?

France, europe

Length

14.7 km

Elevation

1,242 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Drôme region of France, headed for Col du Négron. This mountain pass sits pretty at 1,242 meters (that's 4,074 feet!). You'll find it nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.

The road, known as RD18, is fully paved and stretches for about 14.7 kilometers (or 9.13 miles) between Col de la Pigiere and Revest-du-Bion.

Now, a heads up, this isn't a perfectly smooth ride. The road surface has seen better days, and there are some steep sections to tackle. Coming from Revest-du-Bion, it's an 11.18 km climb, gaining 319 meters in elevation. The average grade is around 2.85%, with max slopes hitting 5%. Get ready for 5 hairpin turns! Keep an eye out for rock slides and note the weight limit of 15 tons. Despite the challenges, the views are totally worth it!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
14.7 km
Max Elevation
1,242 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

D13 is a challenging balcony road in Franceextreme

D13 is a challenging balcony road in France

🇫🇷 France

# D13: France's Hidden Mountain Gem Tucked away in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of southern France, near the Spanish border, the D13 is one seriously impressive mountain drive. Also known as the Route de Las Illas, this 22.6km stretch winds from the tiny village of Las Illas all the way north to Llauro, and honestly? It's earned its reputation as one of France's most dramatic "balcony roads." Here's the reality: this is a narrow, winding beast of a road with serious elevation changes and some genuinely exposed sections. It's fully paved, but bumpy in spots with the occasional pothole. There's barely a 200-meter stretch without a sharp bend, and the views? Absolutely worth every white-knuckle moment. Cork oak forests line the route, creating this gorgeous natural corridor, while protective stone walls edge the most dramatic "balcony" sections—especially at the beginning and end of the route. Fair warning: this road is the only access route to scattered weekend chalets dotting the mountainside, so you'll occasionally meet locals coming around blind corners. Drive slowly, stay alert, and remember that two-way traffic on a single-lane road means someone's backing up. Motorcyclists should note those stone walls aren't exactly tall—they're more suggestion than guarantee. The payoff? Picnic spots with unforgettable gorge views, dramatic photo opportunities, and the kind of peaceful mountain drive that feels like you've discovered something nobody else knows about. Just gas up beforehand—there's nowhere to refuel once you're on the D13.

Driving the memorable 4x4 road to Bald Mountain in Teberdahard

Driving the memorable 4x4 road to Bald Mountain in Teberda

🌍 Russia

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you find yourself in the Karachay–Cherkess Republic of Russia and have a hankering for some seriously epic views, you HAVE to check out Mount Bald (Gora Lysaya). We're talking a whopping 2,583 meters (8,474 feet) above sea level! This isn't your Sunday drive kind of road, though. You'll need a 4x4 to tackle the unpaved, dirt track that winds its way to the top. Fair warning, this baby gets STEEP. You'll climb a solid 1,200 meters from the town of Teberda, so get ready for a workout! Winter? Forget about it – this road is typically snowed in. But if you're a paragliding fanatic, you’re in luck! The views alone are enough to take your breath away, but imagine soaring over the Caucasus Mountains from this incredible launch point. Trust me, the views are worth the white-knuckle drive!

Scarfiotti Refuge: A High-Alpine Journey in the Susa Valleymoderate

Scarfiotti Refuge: A High-Alpine Journey in the Susa Valley

🇮🇹 Italy

# Rifugio Scarfiotti: A Alpine Adventure in the Italian Alps Perched at a breathtaking 2,163m (7,096ft) in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont's Rifugio Scarfiotti is your gateway to the stunning Cottian Alps near the French border. This historic stone refuge, built way back in 1923, sits tucked into the Comba di Rochemolles—a gorgeous glacial valley at the western end of the Susa Valley—with massive limestone cliffs and cascading waterfalls creating one of the most jaw-dropping backdrops you'll find in the Italian Alps. Getting here is half the fun. Starting from the charming town of Bardonecchia, you'll tackle a solid 13.5 km (8.38 miles) climb that demands some serious driving skills. The route kicks off on paved roads but quickly morphs into a proper high-mountain track, so you'll need to keep a close eye on your engine as you wind your way upward through increasingly dramatic scenery. But here's the thing—the refuge isn't actually the end of the road. Push on past Rifugio Scarfiotti and you can continue to the legendary Colle del Sommeiller, sitting at a wild 2,993m and ranking among Europe's highest driveable mountain passes. You'll find the ticketing station for Col de Sommeiller access just beyond the refuge, so you can decide how far your adventure takes you.

Where is Balos Beach?moderate

Where is Balos Beach?

🇬🇷 Greece

Okay, so you're headed to Balos Beach in western Crete, famous for its unreal turquoise lagoon? Awesome choice! But listen up, getting there is half the adventure...and maybe a *little* bit of a headache. The "road" (and I use that term loosely) from Kaliviani is about 9 km of pure, unadulterated Cretan wilderness. It's unpaved, rocky, and narrow, with some concrete patches thrown in for kicks. You'll be crawling along at a snail's pace, probably averaging around 30 km/hour, so budget about 40 minutes for the drive. Definitely worth it for the views, though! Think dramatic drop-offs, switchbacks, and hairpin turns aplenty. Oh, and did I mention the goats? These little guys are everywhere, and they have zero fear of cars. Keep your eyes peeled! A 4x4 is recommended, but any car can make it if you take it super slow. Check your rental agreement first; some companies have a "no Balos" clause in their contracts, which is something to keep in mind. You'll need to pay a toll to use the road. The rugged, dusty scenery is incredible. Think thyme-covered hills, wildflowers, and distant sea views of Kissamos Bay. The hike down from the parking area takes about 90 minutes; the hike back up is a little longer. Arrive early in the summer, because this place gets *packed*.