Where Is Coll de la Farella?
France, europe
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hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a real gem for you: Coll de la Farella, straddling the French-Spanish border high in the Pyrenees. We're talking serious altitude here!
So, where is this hidden treasure? It's tucked between Girona, that vibrant province in Catalonia, Spain, and the Pyrénées-Orientales department in France's Occitania region.
Is it worth the trek? Absolutely! Near the top, you'll find the Dolmen del Coll de la Farella, a cool ancient stone structure, even if it's a little worse for wear.
Now, for the road itself: buckle up, because it's a completely unpaved, rugged ride! Expect plenty of rocks and some seriously narrow sections.
How long is this off-road escapade? The unpaved section is just under 2 miles, climbing from the paved road up to the pass. You'll gain about 540 feet in elevation, with an average gradient of around 5%.
This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. You'll feel like you are far away from it all, surrounded by mountain scenery and rough roads.
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hardMont de la Chambre
🇫🇷 France
# Mont de la Chambre Nestled in the Savoie department of southeastern France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Mont de la Chambre towers at a seriously impressive 2,844 meters (9,330 feet) above sea level. Here's the thing: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road to the summit is gravel-only and strictly 4x4 territory. You'll be tackling multiple narrow, jaw-droppingly steep sections—some reaching up to 25% gradient—along what are basically unpaved ski-lift service roads. The path itself is gloriously unforgiving: rocky, occasionally slippery, and at times almost impossibly steep as it winds its way up. Only accessible during summer months, this brutal track eventually leads you right up to the cable car station perch at 3,003 meters. It's one of the highest drivable roads in the entire country, and honestly, the challenge is absolutely worth it for those who dare to attempt it.
extremeCarretera de las Presas (Road GC-605) is not for the faint-hearted
🇪🇸 Spain
# The Carretera de las Presas: Gran Canaria's Wild Mountain Ride Want to experience one of Gran Canaria's most thrilling drives? The GC-605, nicknamed the Carretera de las Presas, winds through the southwestern part of the island with serious mountain road vibes. This 23.3 km beast climbs from the tiny town of Pie de la Cuesta (325m elevation) all the way up to the charming village of Ayacata (1,304m), gaining nearly 1,000 meters of elevation in the process. Fair warning: this isn't a leisurely Sunday cruise. The road kicks off with an absolutely epic series of hairpin bends that spiral up the west side of the valley, flanked by striking ochre cliffs and massive boulders. By the time you reach the summit, you'll have conquered more than 30 hairpins, with some sections so narrow that two cars genuinely can't pass each other. The maximum slope hits 10%, and while the road is fully paved, the final 8 km can feel like a bit of a lottery—sometimes decent, sometimes rough as hell. The payoff? Stunning vistas throughout, plus you'll reach the Las Niñas reservoir, one of the island's three biggest dams. There's even a legendary 400-year-old pine tree nearby with a haunting backstory. Nature lovers will appreciate the scenic viewpoints with parking spots scattered along the route. Just come prepared: this route is notorious for landslides, rockfalls, and sudden fog. Bring layers too—it gets cold and windy up there. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, but if you're after an unforgettable mountain driving experience, this is it.
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🌍 Russia
Okay, picture this: you're in northwestern Russia, ready for an adventure. You're about to tackle the P25 Highway! Buckle up, because it's a long one – you'll need more than a day to drive it straight through, no stops. Forget those boring highways with constant twists and turns; this baby has seemingly never-ending straight sections. So, where does this epic road begin and end? You'll start in Syktyvkar, the capital of the Komi Republic, nestled on the banks of the Sysola River. Fun fact: This city was once known as Ust-Sysolsk. It's the northeasterly capital of Europe, way up near the Arctic Circle. "Syktyvkar" actually means "the town on the Sysola River" in the local Komi language. From there, the road winds its way through Yemva, the administrative heart of the Knyazhpogostsky District, also in the Komi Republic. Get ready for some seriously remote scenery! And if you're feeling extra adventurous, you can even use this road as a jumping-off point to reach the abandoned Terskol Ice Base via the 86K-14 Road, another stunner through the Republic of Karelia.