Where is Mont Colombis?
France, europe
12.3 km
1,733 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits! Mont Colombis, sitting pretty at 1,734m (5,686ft), is a must-see gem in the Hautes-Alpes department of France, way down in the southeastern Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Trust me, the views from the top are worth every hairpin turn – we're talking some of the best panoramic vistas in Europe!
The road to the top is paved, though it gets a bit narrow in places, but generally it's in decent shape. Keep an eye out for the impressive "Demoiselles Coiffées," crazy cool rock formations shaped by years of erosion.
The climb itself? It's a good one! From Remollon, it's a 12.3 km (7.64 miles) ride to the summit, climbing 1,066 meters. That's an average gradient of 8.7%, so be prepared for some steep sections – especially that stretch from 2.5 to 4 km and a tough 3.5 km right before you reach the top, where you'll be averaging over 10%! You'll be rewarded with some seriously stunning scenery.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 12.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,733 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Francesco Petrarca Refuge?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're in the Italian Alps, South Tyrol to be exact, chilling in the Passeier Valley near the Austrian border. You're heading to Rifugio Francesco Petrarca, a mountain hut way up at 2,875 meters (9,432 feet)! Now, heads up, you can't drive all the way. This isn't a road trip for your car – bikes only! Starting from Talplatt, it's about 14.7 kilometers (9.13 miles) to the top, and let me tell you, it's a climb. You're gaining 1,502 meters in elevation, so get ready for an average gradient of over 10%! That's a serious workout with some killer views in the Texelgruppe Nature Park. Oh, and definitely a summer adventure, this road is a no-go in winter.
extremeCerro Jabalcon, a very tough and popular climb
🇪🇸 Spain
Hey adventurers! Ever heard of Cerro Jabalcon? It's this epic peak chilling in Granada, Andalusia, Southern Spain, clocking in at 1,472m (4,829ft). Tucked away in the semi-arid landscapes of La Hoya de Baza, getting to the top is quite the ride. Mostly paved, but heads up, the last 900 meters turns into a gravel track that can get seriously slippery. Trust me, you'll want to take it slow. At the summit, you'll find the sweet Ermita de la Virgen de la Cabeza chapel, plus some comms towers. But the real prize? A jaw-dropping 360º view stretching over 4000 km2! Just a heads up, though: this place has extreme weather, think freezing winters and scorching summers. Starting in the town of Zújar, the climb is a solid 11.5 km (7.14 miles) with an elevation gain of 681 meters. We're talking an average gradient of 5.92%, but hold on tight, because some ramps hit a wild 21%! It’s a tough one, loved by the locals for a reason.
hardWhere is Costila Peak?
🇷🇴 Romania
Romania's Coștila Peak is seriously high, clocking in at 8,152 feet! You'll find it nestled in the Bucegi Mountains, a truly stunning area. What's up there? A massive radio relay tower, reaching a combined altitude of 8,448 feet, making it the highest point accessible by road in the country. It's been broadcasting radio and TV signals far and wide since 1961. Building this thing was no joke! Construction took ages, with materials hauled up the mountain using a cable car (that's no longer running) and even tracked vehicles. The team even had to blast into the rock to create the foundation. It was once a strategic military site, guarded around the clock. Now, it's surrounded by a fence. Thinking of driving up? The road, called Drumul Coștila, is unpaved and starts from the end of the paved DN714. It’s just over 5 miles, but it's incredibly steep. Word of caution: because of snow and ice, it's usually impassable from late October until late June. Plus, it's closed to private vehicles.
extremeThe Extreme 4x4 Service Road Network
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're in the French Alps, Haute-Savoie to be exact, near the super cool Flaine ski resort (think Bauhaus architecture meets Picasso sculptures!). But forget the slopes for a minute, because lurking above is a gnarly network of service roads that lead to Tête de Veret. This isn't your average Sunday drive! We're talking a 5.7 km (3.54 mile) ascent on a brutally unpaved track that's usually off-limits. But if you manage to get permission (and you *really* should have a good reason to be up there), prepare for a serious 4x4 adventure. The gradient hits a max of 21% in places, so high clearance and four-wheel drive are non-negotiable. Expect steep, rocky terrain and major exposure – this climb isn’t for the faint of heart. Strong winds are practically a year-round feature. The track connects a bunch of killer viewpoints. First, you'll hit Col de Vernant at 1,967 m (6,453 ft), the start of the serious climbing. Then you move on to Tête du Pré des Saix at 2,107 m (6,912 ft), which has some seriously narrow and exposed sections. Next is Col des Grands Vans at 2,198 m (7,211 ft) - this is a treacherous section prone to rockfall! Finally, you'll reach Tête de Veret itself at 2,309 m (7,575 ft)! It's the highest point, completely exposed, with 360-degree views that stretch as far as the eye can see (if the weather cooperates, that is!). Speaking of weather, this road is usually closed from October to June due to snow and ice. Even in summer, heavy mist can roll in, making visibility a nightmare. But if you catch it on a clear day? You're in for an unforgettable alpine experience!