
Where is Colletto Pramand?
Italy, europe
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay adventurers, listen up! Nestled in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy, you'll find Colletto Pramand, a peak reaching seriously high altitudes. Just a stone's throw from the nerve-wracking Galleria dei Saraceni, this spot offers views you won't forget.
What awaits you at the summit? An old fort, accessible via a dirt road with hairpin turns that winds past fort ruins, leading to a grassy summit.
Now, about that road... It's called Strada militare Fenil-Pramand-Föens-Jafferau – an old military route full of switchbacks. This unpaved path stretches for over 25km, almost entirely above 2000m. Just 4km are paved!
Fair warning, this isn't a Sunday drive. Parts of the road are less than 2m wide, and there are rocky sections that most cars won't appreciate. If there's been recent rain, think twice. That said, it's doable in a 4x4, and transit is permitted. Keep an eye out for landslides, as they can make things interesting. The road is closed during the winter months. You'll wind your way past several old forts, soaking in the history and the views. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Villavientos Refuge?
🇪🇸 Spain
Alright adventurers, let's talk about Refugio Villavientos! This high-altitude mountain cabin sits way up in the Spanish province of , chilling as one of Europe's highest roads. Why "Villavientos" (Village of Winds)? Because, trust me, you'll understand the name as soon as you arrive! This former ranger station turned open refuge is known for its seriously strong gusts. You might also hear it called Casa Forestal de Loma Pelá (Loma Pelá Forest House), or even more recently, . The refuge itself is an oldie but a goodie. A single-story rectangle with a sloped roof, it's got a main door and a window, surprisingly with the glass still intact! Inside, you'll find a big table with benches right by the window and a fireplace (though fuel is scarce up here, so don't count on a roaring fire). There's also a sleeping platform with room for about people. Forget running water though – melt snow in winter or bring your own. The real draw? Sunset views from here are seriously epic. Getting there is half the adventure. You'll be traveling the Camino de los Franceses and passing through the village of before tackling the final stretch. Keep in mind, private vehicles are generally a no-go. The reward? Breathtaking scenery, including a bunch of gorgeous alpine lakes. Just a heads-up: in the Sierra Nevada mountains, this road becomes totally impassable during the winter months. It's one of the highest roads in Spain, so plan accordingly!
hardWhere is Chalet Hôtel du Gioberney?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're in the French Alps, headed to the Chalet Hôtel du Gioberney, a super cool mountain refuge chilling at 1,649 meters! It's tucked away in the Cirque du Vaccivier, inside the Écrins National Park. The drive itself is an adventure! You'll be cruising on the D480T, a paved road that twists and turns its way up, getting pretty narrow and steep in places (think around 10% gradient!). Make sure you fuel up before heading into the valley, because it's a good 30km to the refuge. The road stretches for about 26 km from the N85 near Saint-Jacques-en-Valgodemard, climbing nearly 800 meters. The average incline is around 3%, so you know you're headed uphill. Just a heads up: the very last stretch is off-limits to private cars. Being high in the Alps, winter means serious snow, and the road usually closes. Also, keep an eye out for potential rock slides. But when it's open? Expect views that will absolutely blow you away!
easyA sensational paved road to Gurnigel Pass in the Swiss Alps
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Gurnigel Pass is a stunning high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,608m (5,276ft) elevation in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Nestled in the gorgeous Gantrisch Region in western Switzerland, this pass is a real gem. At the top, you'll find a Nordic skiing centre that's hosted some seriously impressive World Cup cross-country skiing and biathlon events. Fair warning though—watch out for those bitumen strips scattered along certain sections of the route. But here's the payoff: look to your right at the summit and you'll be rewarded with absolutely spectacular views of Lake Thun with the majestic Bernese Alps sprawling out behind it. The road itself, Gurnigelstrasse, is fully paved and winds through some genuinely twisty, tricky terrain. Don't worry though—the road surface is in solid condition overall, so you can focus on enjoying the drive rather than white-knuckling it the whole way. This beauty stretches 33.9 km (21.06 miles) long, connecting the charming village of Plaffeien (in Fribourg's Sense district) all the way to Riggisberg (in the Bern-Mittelland district). It's the kind of drive that makes you remember why mountain passes are worth the detour.
extremeThe road to El Maigmó: be ready to make room for oncoming vehicles
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Costa Blanca in Spain, and you spot this peak called El Maigmó, or Alt de les Xemeneies as the locals call it. It's a newly paved road, so you know you gotta check it out, right? Heads up: the road gets narrow, and the slopes get seriously steep. If you meet another car, be prepared to do some fancy maneuvering! But trust me, the views are worth it. Once you reach the top at 1,192m (3,910ft), you're greeted with communication towers, a lookout tower, and a mind-blowing 360° panorama stretching across the whole area to the Mediterranean Sea. The climb itself is a beast! Starting from the CV-815, it's only 5.4km long, but you gain a whopping 566 meters in elevation, averaging a leg-burning 10.5% gradient. Some sections even hit a crazy 16%! The best part? You'll probably have the whole road to yourself. Get ready for an epic climb.