Where is Lac de Céma?
France, europe
0.9 km
2,745 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Lac de Céma – we're talking a seriously stunning high-altitude lake at 2,745m (that's over 9,000 feet!) nestled way up in the French Alps, in the Savoie department. You'll find it in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, practically spitting distance from Italy.
The road to get there? It's a quick jaunt, only about 900m (just over half a mile), leading you right to a parking area by La Cascade restaurant. And get this – it’s one of the highest roads in France.
Heads up though, it's called Chemin du Pissaillas, and while it’s mostly paved, be prepared for some serious potholes from all that snow. Want to go even higher? There's a dirt track that heads west, climbing to a whopping 2,793m!
Because it's so high up in the Graian Alps, this road is strictly a summer affair, usually open from May/June to October. Get ready for some insane scenery, though – this is one alpine drive you won't forget! Just imagine the views...
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 0.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,745 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardParafulmine Refuge
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're in Lombardy, Italy, ready for an adventure in the Orobic Prealps! We're heading up to Rifugio Parafulmine, a mountain hut chilling at 1,543 meters (that's over 5,000 feet!). The road starts off smooth enough – about 7 km of pavement, with a few concrete sections thrown in. But hold on, things get interesting! The last 4 km or so are unpaved, rocky, and pretty darn narrow in places. Expect some steep climbs! The whole trek from Gandino is about 11.2 km, and you'll gain a hefty 1,002 meters in elevation along the way. That's an average gradient of almost 9%! Keep in mind, winter usually makes this route impassable. But when it's open, the views are incredible!
easyDriving the Enthralling A-7000 Road with Two Pigtails in Andalusia
🇪🇸 Spain
# The A-7000: Spain's Most Thrilling Mountain Drive If you're looking for a road that'll make your heart race and your camera work overtime, the A-7000 in Málaga province is it. This Spanish gem runs for 29.5 km (18.33 miles) from Málaga city all the way north to the charming village of Colmenar, winding through the spectacular Montes de Málaga mountains. What makes this route absolutely legendary? The *pigtails*—those insane 360-degree loop turns where the road literally circles back on itself as it climbs. There are two of them here, and honestly, they're the kind of feature that gets your adrenaline pumping every single time. Spain only has five roads with these mind-bending turns, so you're looking at something seriously special. The fully paved road climbs steadily through stunning mountain scenery, topping out at 955 meters (3,133 feet) at Puerto del León—a mountain pass famous enough to feature in the Spanish Vuelta cycling race. On clear days, you'll get gorgeous views of Málaga Bay mixed in with dramatic mountain vistas that'll have you stopping constantly for photos. Originally called the N-321, this used to be the main route between Málaga and Granada. These days, it's a year-round playground for drivers and motorcyclists who crave twisty, scenic roads with serious character. Whether you're into the technical driving challenge or just want to experience one of Spain's most visually stunning routes, the A-7000 absolutely delivers.
hardSanta Croce di Lazfons Refuge
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Rifugio Santa Croce di Lazfons-Schutzhaus Latzfonserkreuz! Nestled high in the Italian Alps, in South Tyrol, this mountain refuge sits way up at 2,316 meters (that's 7,598 feet!). Get ready for a bumpy ride because the gravel road to get there is no joke. We're talking seriously steep trails and loose gravel that can appear out of nowhere, especially after a bit of rain. A 4x4 vehicle is basically a must-have. If heights aren't your thing, maybe sit this one out, as you'll be hugging some serious drop-offs. And remember, this is high-altitude territory, so snow can shut things down anytime during the winter. But hey, if you're prepared for an adventure, the scenery is absolutely incredible! Plus, at the very top, you'll find a charming pilgrimage chapel. Trust me, the views alone are worth the white-knuckle drive. Just make sure you and your vehicle are up for the challenge!
extremeThe narrow, bad and old road to the top of Col de Sarenne
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Sarenne: France's Ultimate Alpine Challenge Perched at a heart-pounding 2,004 meters (6,574 ft) in the Isère department, Col de Sarenne ranks among France's most intense mountain passes. Nestled high in the Grandes Rousses massif of the Central French Alps in the Rhône-Alpes region, this beast of a road isn't for the faint-hearted. The 20.9-kilometer (12.98-mile) Route du Col de Sarenne stretches from Mizoën to Huez, climbing relentlessly with gradients hitting 14.1% at their steepest. What makes it truly gnarly? The road surface itself is a mixed bag—mostly paved, but with sketchy unpaved sections that'll keep you white-knuckling the wheel. The asphalt quality ranges from decent to downright sketchy, especially at the edges, and narrow pinch points mean you definitely can't pass an oncoming car. Those steep drops? Unguarded. A 30-meter plunge awaits any mistakes. Guardrails? Forget about it. Bigger vehicles are banned from this road entirely. But here's the thing: despite being relatively close to civilization, Col de Sarenne feels genuinely remote. The rough pavement and quiet atmosphere make it feel like you've discovered some hidden corner of the Alps. There's even a tiny restaurant and parking lot at the summit if you need to catch your breath. The road closes from late October through early June and runs alongside the GR54 hiking trail for much of its length. Oh, and it's famous enough to have been tackled by Tour de France cyclists—so yes, people actually race up this monster.