Where is Crête de la Pendine?
France, europe
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moderate
Year-round
Okay, thrill-seekers, let's talk about Crête de la Pendine, nestled way up in the Hautes-Alpes department of France! Seriously, this is one of the highest roads you'll find in the country, smack-dab in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.
Now, heads up, it's not exactly a Sunday drive. Part of the "road" is actually a chairlift access trail! The route to the peak is long. You'll be climbing a serious amount, so get ready for those hairpin turns. This one's definitely a summer adventure, though – think snow-covered wonderland in the winter! But hey, the views from the top? Totally worth it. Trust me.
Related Roads in europe
hardRefuge du Saut
🇫🇷 France
Okay, fellow adventurers, let me tell you about Refuge du Saut, a seriously cool mountain hideaway nestled in the French Alps (Savoie department, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region to be exact) at a lofty 2,137 meters (that's 7,011 feet!). Getting there is half the fun, but be warned, it's not for the faint of heart! The road, which winds through the stunning Réserve Naturelle du Plan de la Tuéda, is a gravelly, rocky rollercoaster. Think tippy, bumpy, and totally awesome (if you're into that sort of thing!). This trail is best left to experienced off-roaders in a 4x4. Seriously, you'll need it! It's steep in sections, and if it's been raining, expect some seriously muddy conditions. Oh, and did I mention it's closed from October to May due to snow? The views are totally worth the challenge!
moderateAn awe-inspiring road to Lago della Rovina
🇮🇹 Italy
Lago della Rovina is a stunning high mountain lake sitting pretty at 1,540 meters (5,052 feet) above sea level in the Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy. Nestled within the breathtaking Natural Park of the Maritime Alps, the road up to the lake—locally known as Lago della Rovine—is completely paved, which is a nice surprise for such a remote spot. The route is called Strada Comunale Rovine and winds its way up from Strada Provinciale S. Giacomo over a 9km journey. Fair warning: this isn't exactly a leisurely drive. The road gets seriously steep, with gradients hitting up to 12.5% at their worst, so you'll definitely feel those elevation gains. The lake itself serves as an upper reservoir for the Entracque Power Plant, a pumped-storage hydroelectric facility, which is pretty cool from an engineering perspective. Once you reach the top, there's a convenient parking lot to leave your wheels. The scenery is absolutely worth the climb, but keep your eyes peeled—rockslides are a real hazard up here, especially after heavy weather. If you're planning to visit during summer or on weekends, expect company; the road gets genuinely crowded during peak season. Bundle up and time your visit wisely if you prefer a quieter alpine experience.
hardA memorable road trip to Col de Riou in the Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Riou Nestled in the Pyrénées National Park in the Hautes-Pyrénées, Col de Riou sits pretty at 1,949 meters (6,394 feet) above sea level—and trust me, you'll feel every bit of that elevation. This is serious mountain territory in France's stunning Occitan region. Fair warning: the road up here is completely unpaved and narrow as they come, with some seriously exposed drop-offs that'll keep your knuckles white. You're really looking at a summer-only adventure; the pass typically doesn't shake off its snow until late June, and some years you're waiting until July. Plan accordingly! Starting from the Bederet parking area (just north of Ski Resort Luz Ardiden), you've got a punchy 4-kilometer climb ahead of you. That's 265 meters of elevation gain packed into a relatively short distance, with an average gradient of 6.62%—but don't get comfortable because some sections crank up to a gnarly 15.1%. The road is steep, relentless, and genuinely challenging. At the top, you'll find the haunting ruins of L'hôtellerie du Col de Riou, an old hotel that's been abandoned since the German occupation during World War II. It's a poignant reminder of history perched at the summit. But here's the payoff: the views are absolutely jaw-dropping. You're staring out at the Cauterets and Luz-Saint-Sauveur valleys with the surrounding peaks stretching out in every direction. It's the kind of panorama that makes the brutal climb totally worth it.
extremePunta Acuta, a road with gorgeous views
🇪🇸 Spain
# Punta Acuta: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure Ready for an adrenaline rush? Punta Acuta is a stunning mountain pass sitting at 2,231m (7,319ft) in the northwestern reaches of the Sobrarbe region in Huesca province, Aragon, Spain—right on the border with France. This beast of a route winds through the heart of the Pyrenees within Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. The 31.3km (19.44-mile) track is mostly unpaved and connects from the paved HU-631 road near Torla-Ordesa. Fair warning: this isn't for your average sedan. Only bikes, motorbikes, and high-clearance 4x4s are permitted, and it's strictly off-limits to regular vehicles. The pass typically gets buried under snow and ice from November through June, making it impassable during winter months. The real magic? The scenery is absolutely jaw-dropping. You'll traverse ridgelines that hug the Spanish-French border through wild, rugged terrain with mountain vistas that'll take your breath away. From the summit, the Ordesa Valley spreads beneath you like a masterpiece, framed by towering cliff faces that seem to touch the sky. But here's the catch—this drive demands serious respect. Those dizzying drops on both sides of the track mean you'll frequently need to stop and scout ahead on foot before pushing forward. This isn't a casual Sunday drive. You'll need solid off-road experience, sharp driving skills, nerves of steel, and laser-focused concentration every single meter of the way. Stunning? Absolutely. Intense? Definitely.