Where is Gorges du Nan?
France, europe
9.1 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for the Gorges du Nan! This isn't just a road; it's a cliff-hugging adventure carved into the Isère department of France, nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region south of Grenoble. You'll find yourself on the D22, specifically a 9.1 km (5.65 miles) stretch between Malleval-en-Vercors and Cognin-les-Gorges, winding through the spectacular canyon created by the Le Nant River.
Be warned: this road is NARROW. Think single-lane narrow, so passing isn't really an option. It's especially dramatic after the first tunnel coming from Cognin-les-Gorges. There aren't many places to pull over, so it's best to cruise on through to Malleval-en-Vercors for a breather. Seriously, glancing over the edge will give you vertigo – it’s a long way down!
Expect a 25-minute journey (without stops) through Vercors National Park. You'll encounter a steep 3-mile descent, a 2.2m width restriction, tunnels bored right into the rock, hairpin turns galore, and plenty of blind curves.
What's really cool is the history. This road wasn't some massive construction project. Back in 1880, two villages teamed up to create this unique route to improve access. Plus, the Vercors area played a key role in the French Resistance during WWII, so keep an eye out for memorials along the way.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 9.1 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Mount Srd?
🇭🇷 Croatia
Okay, picture this: You're in Dubrovnik, Croatia, ready for an adventure. Forget the crowded Old Town for a bit and hop in your car (a small one is recommended!). You're about to tackle the road up Mount Srd, which looms right behind the city. It's a short but sweet 2.9km (1.8 miles) drive from the D8, but don't let the distance fool you. This climb packs a punch! The road's paved, but super narrow – think one car width in spots – and seriously steep, hitting gradients of up to 15%. Plus, you'll be hugging the cliff edge with nothing but air between you and the drop. Give yourself about 10 minutes for the drive, but trust me, you'll want to stop at the top. What awaits? Jaw-dropping panoramic views of Dubrovnik's Old City, the sparkling Adriatic Sea, and a scattering of islands. Up top, you'll also find a communication tower, a restaurant with a view (reservations recommended!), the Homeland War Museum, a giant cross, and the historic Imperial Fortress. This fortress, dating back to the Napoleonic Wars, played a strategic role in the Croatian War of Independence and now houses a museum. Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! Even if you skip the museum or the restaurant, the views alone are worth the white-knuckle ride. And if you can time it right, the sunset from Mount Srd is an experience you won't soon forget. You can also get up via cable car, or hike.
hardHorcadina de Covarrobres
🇪🇸 Spain
Get ready for an off-road adventure in Northern Spain! Horcadina de Covarrobre is a high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,930m (6,332ft) in Cantabria's Picos de Europa mountains. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. The road's gravel, rocky, bumpy, and can get pretty dicey. Snow usually hits hard from October to June, so plan accordingly. This trail is strictly for experienced 4x4 drivers only. If unpaved mountain roads aren't your thing, steer clear! The weather's super unpredictable (think freezing temps out of nowhere), so be prepared for anything. You're in the Picos de Europa National Park, so expect some serious elevation gain. A 4x4 isn't just recommended – it's a must. And if heights make you queasy, maybe skip this one. Keep an eye on the sky, thunderstorms can turn the roads impassable in a heartbeat. Plus, this place is teeming with wildlife – wild boar, ibex, chamois, and even wolves and bears! The road’s a constant rollercoaster of twists and turns that will test even seasoned drivers. On your way up, you'll pass Chalet Real, a mountain hotel with a royal history – King Alfonso XIII himself stayed here back in 1912! And at the start of the road, you’ll find Hotel Áliva. The views are insane, with Olvidada, Peña Vieja, Pico de Santa Ana, and Torre de los Horcados Rojos creating a stunning backdrop.
hardWhere is Colle del Vallonetto?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Italian Alps in the Province of Cuneo, heading for Colle del Vallonetto. This mountain pass tops out at a cool 8,001 feet! Nestled close to the French border in the Piedmont region, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road stretches for 28 miles between Marmora and Demonte and, while paved, it's definitely rough around the edges and seriously narrow in places. Think steep inclines and some seriously dramatic drop-offs – definitely not for the faint of heart! Keep in mind, this route through the Cottian Alps is usually a no-go during the winter months. But if you're up for the challenge in the warmer seasons, the views are absolutely worth it!
extremeWhere is Bergstation Schaufeljoch?
🇦🇹 Austria
Bergstation Schaufeljoch high mountain cable car station above sea level, located in the Austrian state of Tyrol highest roads in Europe Where is Bergstation Schaufeljoch? The cable car station is located in the western part of Austria . At the exit from the station (not always open) is the "Top of Tyrol" viewing platform , where you can enjoy breathtaking views of Stubai Alps and the Dolomites Is the road to Bergstation Schaufeljoch unpaved? Stubai Glacier ski area , the road to the summit is service road for maintaining the chairlift closed to private vehicles When is the road to Bergstation Schaufeljoch open? completely impassable in winter very demanding challenge extremely steep climb How long is the road to Bergstation Schaufeljoch? Starting from Mutterbergalm 7.6 km (4.72 miles) long . Over this distance, the elevation gain is 1,150m (3,773ft) average gradient of 15.13% . However, the route includes alternating flat sections extremely steep ramps exceeding 20% An iconic paved road to Furkajoch in the Austrian Alps Vizze Pass: An Awe-Inspiring Route in the Zillertal Alps Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.