Where is Monte Saccarello?

Where is Monte Saccarello?

France, europe

Length

9 km

Elevation

2,178 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between Italy and France, way up in the Ligurian Alps. You're headed for Monte Saccarello, a peak soaring to 2,178 meters (that's 7,145 feet!). This isn't just any mountain; it's the highest point in Liguria, and the views? Killer!

The road to the top kicks off from Monesi, a little town in the Province of Imperia. From there, it's a 9-kilometer (5.59-mile) rollercoaster of a climb. Be warned, this isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking steep, narrow, and mostly unpaved. You'll gain a whopping 799 meters in elevation, with an average gradient of 5.79%. A 4x4 or motorcycle is your best bet for tackling this beast.

Keep an eye out for rock slides along the way, and forget about it in the winter – snow makes it impassable. But the effort is worth it. At the summit, you'll find a bronze statue of Jesus, standing tall since 1901, and the ruins of old artillery batteries. It's a history lesson with a view! Just remember to take it slow, watch for hazards, and soak in the incredible scenery.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
9 km
Max Elevation
2,178 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

A steep road to Lago del Naret in Ticinohard

A steep road to Lago del Naret in Ticino

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Lago del Narèt: A Alpine Adventure Nestled at 2,310m (7,578ft) in the Vallemaggia district of Swiss Ticino, Lago del Narèt is a stunning high-altitude reservoir worth the challenging drive. Starting from Lavizzara, this fully paved route (built back in the 1950s) stretches 21.9 km (13.60 miles) and climbs a whopping 1,570 meters—that's an average gradient of 7.16%, though don't let that fool you. The road gets serious with several sustained pitches hitting 10-12%, and some brutal ramps that spike up to 18%. You'll snake through dense evergreen forests with tight hairpin bends that keep things interesting. The narrow track demands your full attention, but stick with it and you're rewarded with killer views of Lago del Sambuco and the surrounding peaks. As you approach the summit, there's even a short dip before you reach the dam—a nice surprise after all that climbing. Save the best for last: the final stretch reveals three charming alpine lakes (Lago di Sassolo, Lago Superiore, and Lago Scuro) before you finally arrive at the crystal-clear waters of Lago di Narèt itself. It's a genuine alpine gem that combines challenging driving with some seriously spectacular scenery.

The Road to Col de Viraysse: No Turning Back If You Change Your Mindextreme

The Road to Col de Viraysse: No Turning Back If You Change Your Mind

🇫🇷 France

# Col de Viraysse: Not for the Faint of Heart Ready for an adrenaline rush? Welcome to Col de Viraysse, a brutally beautiful mountain pass perched at 2,746m (9,009ft) in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, right near the Italian border in southeastern France. This isn't your average scenic drive. Built as a military road between 1885 and 1888, it's one of France's highest passes—and it shows. The 9.6 km (5.96 miles) of unpaved road climbs a jaw-dropping 995m with relentless hairpin turns, sections steep enough to hit 17% gradients, and walls of air dropping hundreds of meters with zero guardrails. Seriously, if heights make you queasy, skip this one. Here's the kicker: the narrow, single-track road means there's literally nowhere to turn around if you're having second thoughts halfway up. Come winter (September through June), the pass is completely impassable anyway, so plan your visit during the brief summer window. The payoff? Incredible views stretching into Italy, across the Mercantour mountains, and down into the Ubaye Valley. The route also passes military fortresses and structures along the way, eventually leading to Fort de Viraysse at 2,772m—a fascinating fortification complex that once served as one of France's most strategic high-altitude posts, with an exclusive view of Italy from the Alps. This is old-school mountain driving at its finest. Thrilling, unforgiving, and absolutely unforgettable.

How to get by car to Commerson Crater on Reunion Island?moderate

How to get by car to Commerson Crater on Reunion Island?

🇫🇷 France

# Cratère Commerson: A High-Altitude Adventure on Réunion Island Ready for an epic drive? Cratère Commerson is a stunning volcanic crater sitting pretty at 2,328m (7,637ft) on the eastern side of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. The crater's named after Philibert Commerson, a French explorer who clearly made an impression back in the day. The route to get there—Route Forestière 5 du Volcan, aka Volcano Road—is a fully paved 24.3km (15.09 miles) stretch that climbs from N3 Road all the way west to Pas de Bellecombe, a dramatic mountain pass at 2,361m (7,746ft). Fair warning: this road is steep, so you'll definitely feel the elevation gain as you ascend. Here's what you need to know before you go: The lava fields create an intense reflective glare on sunny days, which can absolutely wreck your skin, so pack a seriously good hat and sunscreen. Weather changes fast up here—visibility can drop to nothing in minutes when storms roll in, so keep your schedule flexible and don't push it in iffy conditions. Plus, this is a rainfall hotspot, especially during tropical storm season, so check forecasts before heading up. It's an unforgettable drive through some seriously otherworldly volcanic landscape. Just be prepared and respectful of the mountain's moods.

Col de la Montee du Fond is a brutally tough road in Franceextreme

Col de la Montee du Fond is a brutally tough road in France

🇫🇷 France

# Col de la Montée du Fond: Europe's Ultimate Alpine Challenge Ready for one of Europe's most extreme driving experiences? Welcome to Col de la Montée du Fond, sitting at a jaw-dropping 3,007m (9,865ft) in Orelle, Savoie, deep in the southeastern French Alps. This isn't your typical mountain pass. We're talking about a 28.3 km (17.58 miles) unpaved ski-lift service road that connects the legendary Val Thorens ski resort with the tiny village of Orelle. And honestly? It's absolutely bonkers. Here's what you're getting into: a brutal, relentless climb featuring 55 numbered hairpin turns that'll test your nerve and your vehicle's suspension. The numbered corners keep you sane-ish as you navigate gradients averaging 10.4%, with sections hitting a spine-tingling 17-18%. This is 4x4 territory only—no exceptions. But the payoff? Panoramic views that stretch across a thousand summits spanning France, Switzerland, and Italy. You'll twist and turn through the stunning Massif de la Vanoise range, sometimes driving directly beneath the ski chairlift you're roughly shadowing. The road is only accessible July and August when conditions allow, so planning is essential. Located east of Col de Rosael and Col de Caron, this is peak adventure territory for serious drivers seeking one of the highest drivable roads in the continent.