Where is La Grande Clue?
France, europe
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N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the Alpes-Maritimes, France, just north of the Gorges de Daluis. You're about to experience La Grande Clue, a super short but unforgettable balcony road. Think about 500 meters of pure scenic bliss carved into the red rock of the Mercantour National Park.
This road, now known as the D-28, used to be the only way through this dramatic gorge created by the River Cians. We're talking seriously vibrant colors and crazy cool rock formations thanks to the water. Keep an eye out for mini-waterfalls and nature's own sculptures!
Heads up though, this little gem isn't without its quirks. Rocks sometimes fall onto the road, a reminder of nature's power. Because of this, and how narrow it is, cars aren't allowed anymore. A tunnel now takes cars through, but you can still walk or bike the old route! And if you're craving more gorge-ous views, there's another stunning one nearby to the south. Get ready for a visual feast!
Related Roads in europe
hardDriving Strada dei Cannoni, a military mountain road in Italy
🇮🇹 Italy
# Strada dei Cannoni: Italy's Hidden Alpine Adventure Ready for a road trip that feels like stepping back in time? The Strada dei Cannoni is calling your name. Tucked in the northern Italian Alps between the Maira and Varaita valleys, this legendary 56km route climbs from a modest 680m to a breathtaking 2,287m (7,503ft), delivering some seriously jaw-dropping views of the Maritime and Cottian Alps—with the iconic Monviso dominating the skyline. Here's the deal: about 75% of this road is unpaved, which means you're getting the full off-road experience. What started as a military engineering marvel in 1744 (built by the Piedmontese army to block French-Spanish forces during the War of the Austrian Succession) has evolved into a bucket-list route for adventurous travelers and cyclists. The road wasn't actually completed in its current form until 1893 and was adapted for cars in the 1940s, but it's kept that raw, authentic alpine character that makes it so thrilling. The scenery is genuinely spectacular—you'll follow the watershed ridge with panoramic views at every turn. But here's what you need to know before you go: this isn't a casual Sunday drive. Expect coarse gravel, hairpin bends so tight they'll test your nerves, steep climbs, and unprotected drops that plunge hundreds of meters. You'll need serious off-roading skills and a vehicle that can handle it. Access is strictly managed during summer (July–September). Weekends and holidays see closures from 9am to 6pm for vehicles, and nighttime restrictions apply year-round. Winter? Forget about it—heavy snow makes the route impassable. Stick to clear weather and daylight hours, and only attempt this if you're an experienced off-roader. The historical touches are everywhere—old military barracks dot the landscape, telling stories of its strategic past. A small paved section built in 2014 creates a fantastic loop for cyclists. This is raw, real alpine adventure, and it's waiting for you.
moderateCan you drive to Lac d’Emosson?
🇨🇠Switzerland
Lac d’Emosson is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.970m (6,463ft) above sea level, located in the canton of Valais, in Switzerland. Can you drive to Lac d’Emosson? Set high in the Swiss Alps near the French border, the road to the reservoir, also known as Barrage Emosson, is totally paved and was built in 1925. The road is surprisingly quiet and there is little motorized traffic. As you near the summit you will negotiate some switchbacks on the climb. The reservoir can be reached by this road or by the Barberine Railway, the world’s steepest two-carriage funicular (87% gradient), built in 1920. How long is the road to Lac d’Emosson? Tucked away on the southern part of the country, the road to the reservoir is 6.2 km (3.85 miles) long starting at Finhaut. The road is very steep, hitting a 16% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. The elevation gain is 576 meters. The average gradient is 9.29%. This is a steep climb, all between 9% and 10% (and much steeper above the lake) – on quiet roads with unbelievable views of Mont Blanc. It featured as a mountain top finish in the Tour de France. Is the road to Lac d’Emosson open? This road is usually open from late May through late October or early November (depending on snow). The end of the road hosts a restaurant, a little church (Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-neiges de La Gueulaz) and a car park. South to the parking it is possible to continue on further to another dam, , built in 1955, which is higher up still, at an elevation of 2.205m (7,234ft) above sea level. The road has a limited access. Pic: Liudmila Nikitina Driving the Inferno Murren with a 60% of maximum gradient An iconic road to Simplon Pass in the Swiss 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.
extremeHow to get by car to the dangerous Altiport de Courchevel in the Alps?
🇫🇷 France
# Courchevel Altiport: Where Mountain Flying Meets Alpine Adventure Tucked in the heart of the French Alps, Courchevel Altiport sits at a jaw-dropping 2,014 meters (6,607 feet) above sea level—and it's earned its reputation as one of the world's seven most dangerous airports. Located in Saint-Bon-Tarentaise within the Tarentaise Valley, this little-known gem serves the famous Courchevel ski resort, part of the sprawling Les Trois Vallées area. What makes this place legendary? The runway is genuinely bonkers. At just 537 meters (1,762 feet) long with an insane 18.5–18.6% upward gradient, it looks more like a ski slope than an actual airport—which is exactly why it starred in the opening of James Bond's GoldenEye. Pilots need special certification to land here, and they're flying on pure visual navigation with zero instrument approaches or runway lights. Once you commit to landing in this steep alpine valley surrounded by mountains, there's no going around—you either stick it or things get very real, very fast. Only smaller aircraft like the Pilatus PC-12 and Cessna 208 Caravan can handle it, though helicopters dominate traffic during winter, accounting for about 70% of movements. Getting to the airport itself is an adventure too. The fully paved Rue de l'Altiport climbs 12.2 kilometers (7.58 miles) from Le Praz, gaining 754 meters of elevation. The average gradient hits 6.18%, but certain sections spike to 9.7%—steep enough that the Tour de France actually uses it as a finish line for race stages. It's an unforgettable alpine ascent with unbeatable scenery.
moderateTake the Wild Sukhumi Military Road and Discover Klukhori Pass
🇬🇪 Georgia
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about the Klukhorskii Pass! This high-altitude stunner sits way up in Abkhazia, Georgia, clocking in at a cool 9,353 feet. You'll find it near the breathtaking Klukhor Lake along the notorious SH10, better known as the Sukhumi Military Road. This route used to be a major artery linking the Northern Caucasus in Russia to the Black Sea coast, following the ancient Darin Path used by the Alans and Byzantines. Back in the Soviet days, it was a super popular tourist route. This epic road cuts through the Greater Caucasus for 209 miles, connecting Cherkessk to Sukhumi, though there's a break between Teberda and Azhar. Tucked away in the northwestern part of the country, this historic road used to connect North Caucasus and Asia Minor for five millennia, and it saw heavy use during the great migration period from the 4th to 7th centuries. Prepare for some seriously picturesque landscapes as you traverse this route, passing through the mountain resort of Teberda and the unbelievably beautiful Dombai fields. Keep in mind, though, the road isn't maintained these days.