Where is Gorges de la Jonte?
France, europe
90 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Gorges de la Jonte, a mind-blowing canyon carved out by the Jonte River. You'll find this natural wonder straddling the Lozère and Aveyron departments in the south of France, with the river acting as the dividing line.
Seriously, the scenery is unreal. Imagine towering cliffs and crazy steep, forested slopes just soaring above you. We're talking some serious elevation gain here!
Heads up, though: this road can be a bit of an adventure. It's paved, but keep your eyes peeled for rock slides, especially. And from November to March, snow chains are a must. The speed limit is 90 km/h, but larger vehicles aren’t recommended.
The whole stretch from Meyrueis to Le Rozier is about 21.5 km (13.35 miles) of pure driving bliss. Get ready for some seriously stunning views!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 90 km
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardAspropirgos Road
🇬🇷 Greece
# Journey to Aspropirgos: A Mountain Adventure Nestled high in the Evrytania region of central Greece, the charming mountain town of Aspropirgos sits at a breathtaking 880m (2,887ft) elevation. Getting there? Well, it's definitely an adventure. The road is paved, but don't let that fool you – this is serious mountain driving. We're talking about an average gradient of 9%, with some sections climbing a jaw-dropping 15%. Starting from the already-challenging Prousos-Karpenski road, this route winds its way up to 1,090m (3,576ft), putting your driving skills to the test with tight hairpin curves and some seriously exposed dropoffs. This isn't a casual Sunday drive. Expect dramatic elevation changes, heart-pounding switchbacks, and views that'll make you forget to breathe (in a good way). If heights make you queasy or you're traveling with passengers who get nervous around cliffsides, you might want to mentally prepare yourselves – or reconsider altogether. Honestly? This road demands respect. It separates the confident drivers from the nervous ones, and one wrong move can have real consequences. But if you've got the skills, the nerves of steel, and absolutely no fear of landslides or vertigo, you're in for an unforgettable alpine experience. The reward? A stunning mountain town perched high above the Greek countryside, with views that make every hairpin turn worthwhile.
moderateAlto del Golobar: enjoy a road among the clouds
🇪🇸 Spain
# Alto del Golobar: Spain's Hidden Mountain Gem Nestled in the Cantabrian Mountains within the stunning Fuentes Carrionas and Fuente Cobre-Montaña Palentina Natural Park, Alto del Golobar is a mountain lover's dream destination. This peak sits at 1,778 meters (5,833 feet) and claims the title of Palencia province's highest paved road—quite the bragging right! The route up is entirely paved via the PP-2203, which might sound easy until you realize just how steep things get. Starting from Brañosera (Spain's oldest town, no less), you're looking at a 6.5-kilometer climb with 417 meters of elevation gain. Don't let the relatively modest 6.41% average gradient fool you—this ascent is seriously intense in places. Once you reach the top, you're greeted with a massive 250-vehicle parking lot and the quirky ruins of an abandoned mountain refuge. There's an interesting backstory here: back in the late 1960s, someone had big dreams of building a ski resort complete with lifts and a luxury Parador hotel. The project never quite came together, leaving behind these atmospheric relics of ambition. The road stays open year-round, though winter storms occasionally force temporary closures. Weather permitting, it's accessible whenever you need your mountain fix. And if you're up for more exploring, a hiking path from the summit leads onward to Valdecebollas peak—the adventure doesn't have to stop at the parking lot.
hardThe ultimate guide to exploring Gorges de la Restonica in Corsica by car
🇫🇷 France
# Gorges de la Restonica: Corsica's Hidden Canyon Drive Ready for one of Corsica's most stunning scenic drives? Head to the Haute-Corse department and take on the D623, a fully paved 14.9 km (9.25 miles) adventure that winds from Corte up through the breathtaking Restonica Valley. Fair warning: this isn't your average leisurely cruise. The road gets seriously narrow in places—we're talking barely wider than a single car in spots. As the gorge walls squeeze in around you, you'll need sharp focus and solid mountain driving skills. The views are absolutely gorgeous, but those steep drops demand respect. Also note that vehicles over 4.5 meters long or 1.9 meters wide aren't permitted, so check your rental beforehand. Summer season brings crowds, and that means congestion on these tight lanes. It's manageable if you stay patient and keep your eyes on the road. The good news? There are restaurants and rest stops scattered along the way where you can grab food or take a refreshing dip in the river. Once you've conquered the drive, park it and hit the trails. A two-hour hike gets you to Lac de Mélo, a gorgeous mountain lake sitting at 6,528 feet. Push further and you'll reach Lac de Capitello, which often stays snow-capped well into summer—or stays frozen entirely outside peak season. This drive rewards confident drivers with some of Corsica's most spectacular alpine scenery.
hardThe road to Großsee is a chillout in the high mountains of Austria
🇦🇹 Austria
Tucked high in the Austrian Alps, Großsee is a stunning mountain reservoir sitting at 2,481 meters (8,139 feet) above sea level in Carinthia's Spittal an der Drau district. If you're up for an adventure, the winding road to get there is absolutely worth the drive. Starting from Großkirchheim, you'll tackle 15.8 kilometers (9.81 miles) of pure alpine magic with an elevation gain of 1,459 meters. Built back in 1978, this road is a feat of engineering featuring 30 hairpin turns that'll keep you on your toes. Most of the route is paved asphalt, though you'll want to know that it peters out around 2,470 meters elevation—the final stretch becomes impassable thanks to massive boulders and heavy snow. Expect some seriously steep sections; the road hits grades up to 24% in places, with an average gradient of 9.23% throughout. It's no leisurely cruise, but the payoff is breathtaking high-altitude scenery that'll make every twist and turn worth it. Just come prepared for alpine conditions and be ready to turn back if weather or road conditions get dicey near the top.