Where is Mont du Chat?
France, europe
14.4 km
1,504 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the Savoie department of France, ready to tackle Mont du Chat, aka Cat's Mountain. Trust me, this climb is NO joke! We're talking serious bragging rights here.
This beast of a road is tucked away in the Rhône-Alpes region, and the D42 road is your paved path to glory. And the road is in great shape! You'll be cruising (or struggling!) on smooth asphalt with hardly any other cars around.
So, how steep is it REALLY? Let's just say the Tour de France riders know this climb intimately. It averages around 9% for a whopping 14.4 km, and once you're 2 km in, there's no mercy. Expect ramps hitting a brutal 15%! You'll be starting near the stunning Lac du Bourget at a measly 250 meters, only to finish up around 1,500 meters. Prepare your legs (and your lungs).
The total length is 22.2 km (13.79 miles), winding east to west from Le Bourget-du-Lac to Cremaire. Keep in mind this road is closed from November to March due to snow.
The reward for your pain? A parking lot, a bar-restaurant, and the Belvédère du Mont du Chat at the summit. Get ready for insane panoramic views of Lac du Bourget! Seriously, the views are worth every ounce of effort.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,504 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is San Boldo Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
San Boldo Pass in Italy's Treviso province? Buckle up, because this isn't your average Sunday drive! We're talking a twisty, turny, tunnel-y adventure that'll leave you breathless. Nestled in the Veneto region, at the edge of the Alps, this road is a true feat of engineering. Just imagine: a completely paved route, officially SP 635, snaking its way up to 712 meters (2,335 feet) above sea level. The highlight? A mind-blowing 1km stretch packed with 5 tunnels carved straight into the rock, 8 numbered hairpin turns that'll test your steering skills, and 6 bridges that offer insane views. The whole pass stretches 11.6km (7.20 miles) from Tovena to Sant'Antonio Tortal. This road has a fascinating history, built by the Austro-Hungarian army in a mere 100 days during WWI as a crucial supply route! Be warned: this beauty is no walk in the park. Some sections are brutally steep, hitting a maximum gradient of 37%! And those 18 hairpin turns? They're not for the faint of heart! Traffic flows one-way only, regulated by traffic lights. Keep an eye on your speed (30 km/h or 19 mph max) and watch your height (3.2 m or 10.5 ft limit). Despite being in Italy, the pass is named after a Spanish hermit, Saint Boldo, who once lived in these mountains! So, get ready for an unforgettable ride filled with incredible scenery and maybe a little bit of adrenaline!
moderateWhen was the Pustertaler Hohenstrasse road built?
🇦🇹 Austria
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along the Pustertal High Alpine Road in Tyrol, Austria, and the views are absolutely killer. Seriously, this road is a twisty-turny dream (or maybe a slightly-scary dream, depending on your comfort level!). Built way back in 1923, this free-to-drive beauty snakes for 32 km (almost 20 miles!) between Leisach and Abfaltersbach. Imagine yourself winding through meadows, dense forests, and those ridiculously charming villages you see on postcards. Now, be warned, this isn't a straight shot. We're talking countless curves and some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting up to 17%! You'll climb over 700 vertical meters, eventually topping out at 1,441m (that's over 4,700 feet!) above sea level. The best part? It's open year-round, so you can experience the Pustertal High Alpine Road in any season! Get ready for an unforgettable drive.
easyAdventure along the Haustsjoen Mountain Road
🇳🇴 Norway
# Haustsjøen Mountain Road Ready for some serious Norwegian mountain scenery? The Haustsjøen Mountain Road winds through Innlandet County in southern Norway, and it's absolutely worth the detour. Named after the picturesque Haustsjøen Lake, this 22 km (13.67 miles) stretch takes you from Grimsbu all the way east to Fylkesveg 686 Road near Alvdal—and yeah, it's a toll road, but trust us, the views make it worthwhile. Here's the real talk: the entire route is unpaved, which adds to the adventure. You *can* tackle most of it in a regular car, but once you hit Reinslia heading east, good ground clearance becomes essential for that final couple of kilometers. If you want the smoothest ride and total peace of mind, bring a 4x4. The road climbs to a peak elevation of 1,035m (3,395 ft), snaking through absolutely stunning mountain terrain. Along the way, you'll spot charming little mountain huts scattered throughout the landscape that feel straight out of a Nordic fairy tale. It's the kind of drive that makes you understand why people fall in love with Norway's wilderness.
hardAn Explorer's Guide to Col de la Bailletta
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Bailletta: A High-Alpine Adventure Ready for an epic mountain experience? Head to the Savoie department in southeastern France, where Col de la Bailletta sits pretty at 2,852m (9,356ft) above sea level—tucked within the stunning Bailletaz Nature Reserve in the Rhône-Alpes region. This 9.4 km (5.84 miles) route starts near Lac du Chevril, just below Val d'Isère in the Tarentaise Valley, and it's got serious elevation gain. The first stretch is actually paved, climbing all the way up to Lac/Barrage du Saut—one of France's highest paved roads, which is pretty cool if you ask us. Below the reservoir on the way to Lac de la Sassière, things get real as the pavement gives way to gravel. What you're driving on is essentially an old military road that winds its way up the mountain, and it's genuinely wide for the most part. But here's where it gets wild: around 2,700 metres near Lac Santel, the road basically vanishes (thanks, landslides) and transforms into a hiking trail. From that point on? You're on foot, my friend. Vehicles simply can't make it. The scenery? Absolutely incredible. The views surrounding you at every turn make this one unforgettable adventure—especially knowing you're tackling one of the country's highest alpine passes.