Where is Crête de la Pendine?
France, europe
N/A
N/A
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
easyHow Long is P79 Road?
🌍 Latvia
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Vidzeme region of northeastern Latvia, right? You're on the P79, a little gem stretching about 38 kilometers (or 23.6 miles for my fellow Americans) from the sweet little town of Ērgļi – nestled on the Ogre river – all the way up to Koknese, a seriously historic spot on the Daugava River. Now, heads up, this isn't your typical smooth highway. It's paved near the towns, but a good chunk of it is unpaved, adding a bit of off-the-beaten-path charm. Word on the street is it’s pretty vital for the local Koknese businesses. Also, be warned that after a good downpour, things can get a little dicey! So, drive carefully and enjoy the scenery.
hardA curvy scenic road to Col de la Vaccia
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Vaccia Sitting pretty at 1,193 meters (3,914 feet) above sea level in Corse-du-Sud on the island of Corsica, Col de la Vaccia is a stunning mountain pass that'll take your breath away — literally and figuratively. The road to the top, D69, recently got a fresh asphalt makeover and features some seriously steep sections reaching up to 6.1%, so come prepared for a proper workout. You've got options depending on where you're starting from. The shortest route kicks off from Aullène at just 11.32 km with a 357-meter elevation gain (averaging 3.1%). If you want something more challenging, Olivese offers a 12.6 km climb with a hefty 703 meters of elevation gain — averaging 5.6% and definitely earning its stripes. Feeling more ambitious? The route from Guitera les Bains stretches 22 km with 766 meters of climbing (3.5% average), while the epic journey from Loreto di Tallano covers 26 km and 918 meters of elevation gain (also 3.5% average). Whatever you choose, you're in for stunning mountain scenery and that satisfying sense of accomplishment when you reach the summit. The road was upgraded back in 2011, so modern facilities and decent pavement await you on this gorgeous Corsican adventure.
moderateRoad trip guide: Conquering the paved San Marco Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo San Marco Nestled in the Bergamo Alps of Lombardy, Passo San Marco is a stunning mountain pass that sits pretty at 1,985m (6,512ft) above sea level. Straddling the boundary between Bergamo and Sondrio provinces in northern Italy, this route is pure Alpine charm. The pass is served by Strada Statale 470, which was originally designated as Strada Provinciale 8 (SP8) until 2021. The road itself was built in the post-WWII years, but here's the cool part—it follows an ancient route that's been connecting Lombardy to the Grisons area since the late 16th century. Along the way, you'll find Ca San Marco, a historic refuge built around 1830m that once provided shelter and care to weary travelers braving winter conditions. It's a humble reminder of how adventurous (and dangerous!) mountain travel used to be. The 24.2 km (15.03 miles) route runs south-north from Mezzoldo in Bergamo to Albaredo per San Marco in Sondrio, and it's completely paved with gentle grades—the steepest section tops out at just 10%, making it surprisingly accessible. Heavy trucks are banned here, keeping the road quiet and enjoyable for regular travelers. The summit even has a couple of monuments worth checking out, and it's popular enough to have earned its spot in the Giro d'Italia cycling race.
moderateVyssi Brod Pass: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
🌍 Czech Republic
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Vyšší Brod Pass, a wicked cool international route straddling Austria and the Czech Republic. At 752 meters high, you're smack-dab in the Bohemian Forest, connecting the South Bohemian Region with Upper Austria. Word has it, this route's been around since Roman times! These days, it's all paved and smooth sailing, known as B126 on the Austrian side and Route 161 when you're in the Czech Republic. The pass is about 12 kilometers long, running north to south from Vyšší Brod (Czech Republic) to Bad Leonfelden (Austria). It's a stunner of a drive!