Where is Pas de l'Âne?
France, europe
N/A
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Deep in the French Hautes-Alpes, get ready for the Pas de l'Âne – a real hidden gem... if you dare! This isn't your average Sunday drive; we're talking about a high-altitude service track that tops out at a breathtaking elevation in the Massif des Cerces.
Forget leisurely cruises; this baby is a lifeline for the Serre Chevalier ski area's infrastructure. Find it if you can, high above Le Monêtier-les-Bains, clinging to the northern slopes. The views of Écrins National Park are insane... if you can take your eyes off the road for a second!
Forget pavement; it's all dirt here, built for heavy-duty vehicles, not your everyday car. It's narrow, exposed, and seriously intimidating, with drop-offs and zero guardrails. You'll need a high-clearance 4x4 with low-range gearing – trust me! Loose gravel plus a crazy incline equals a serious test of traction, especially on those tight, tippy hairpins.
The climb from Le Monêtier-les-Bains is short, just a few kilometers. But the elevation gain is insane, with an average gradient of over 17%! Basically, it's one of the steepest drivable tracks you'll find in the Alps. Prepare for a workout for your engine and brakes, and bring your A-game off-road skills.
Heads up: winter is a no-go. Buried under meters of snow, the track is usually only clear from late June to September. But even in summer, sudden storms can turn that dirt into a slippery mudslide, making the descent just as hairy as the climb. So, check the forecast, and get ready for an alpine adventure!
Where is it?
Where is Pas de l'Âne? is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 44.9426, 6.4914
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 44.9426, 6.4914
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhen was Via dei Saraceni built?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: You're in northern Italy, ready for an adventure. Forget the autostrada, you’re heading up Via dei Saraceni, one of the most epic dirt roads you'll ever experience! This isn't your average Sunday drive — it's a 20km (12-mile) rollercoaster reaching over 2,000 meters, making it one of Europe's highest roads. Built way back in 1886, this old military road (also known as Strada militare Fenil-Pramand-Föens-Jafferau or Strada Militare 79) is totally unpaved and packed with hairpin turns and incredible views. Now, be warned, this isn't for the faint of heart. Some sections are only wide enough for one vehicle, and there are no guardrails to save you. The road winds past old forts, with slopes generally under 12% and a width of only about 3 meters. There are some rocky bits that'll challenge most cars, especially when the weather turns nasty. One highlight is the Galleria del Seguret (aka Galleria dei Saraceni): an 825-meter U-shaped tunnel that's dark, muddy, and full of deep puddles. Seriously, bring a good flashlight if you're on a bike or horseback – you'll need it! Via dei Saraceni crosses several mountain passes, including Colle Fenil (2,087m), Colle del Pramand (2,805m), and Colle Basset (2,204m). Open from May to October, weather is key. Things get tricky when it's wet or dark. There's also a short, rocky climb up to Forte Foens that'll test your skills. Don't miss the Galleria Chanteloube, a short tunnel made entirely of concrete and beautiful cut stone. During snowmelt, the roof turns into a waterfall from the Rio Chanteloube! Since you're heading into a remote, high-altitude area, come prepared! Off-road vehicles are fine here. Pack plenty of water, especially in summer. Rain can make the road a real challenge, and thunderstorms can quickly make unpaved sections impassable. Also, keep an eye out for rockfalls. So, if you're looking for a breathtaking, challenging, and unforgettable adventure in the Italian Alps, Via dei Saraceni is calling your name!
hardCan you drive through Pillerhöhe in Austria?
🇦🇹 Austria
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Let's talk about the Pillerhöhe, a mountain pass that'll take your breath away (literally and figuratively!). You'll find this gem nestled in the Austrian Tyrol, chilling at a cool 1,573m (5,160ft) above sea level. Yep, you can totally drive it! The Piller Landesstraße is all paved, winding through a gorgeous, natural park-esque landscape. But don't get too comfy! This road, squirreled away in western Austria, isn’t for the faint of heart. It gets pretty narrow and seriously steep, with gradients hitting a wild 19.1% in places. Hold on tight! The whole shebang stretches for 23.5 km (14.60 miles), connecting Fließ (near Landeck) to Arzl im Pitztal (near Imst). And pro tip: just south of the peak, make a pit stop at the "Gacher Blick" viewpoint. Trust me, the views of the Inn Valley are totally worth it!
hardAn Unforgettable Steep Drive to Alto de Sao Macario in Portugal
🇵🇹 Portugal
Alto de São Macário is a mountain peak sitting pretty at 1,052 meters (3,451 feet) above sea level in the Viseu district, nestled in Portugal's Central Inland region. This gem is perched in the Maciço da Gralheira mountain range, and the road up? Totally paved—but don't let that fool you. It's narrow and seriously steep. The local road CM1123 is what'll get you there, and trust us, it means business. Starting from Sul, you're looking at a 9.3 km (5.77 miles) grind that'll test your brakes and your nerves. You'll gain 812 meters of elevation along the way, with an average gradient of 8.73%. But here's where it gets spicy: some sections hit a brutal 14% gradient, so you'll definitely know you're working for this one. When you finally roll into the summit, you'll be rewarded with the Santuario de São Macário (a beautiful monastery) and some communication towers. But honestly? The real payoff is the view. On a clear day, it's absolutely stunning—the kind of panorama that makes all those hairpin turns worth it.
moderateCan you drive to Pic Maïdo?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're heading to Réunion Island (that little slice of France hanging out near Madagascar), you HAVE to tackle the road to Pic Maïdo. Perched high in the Piton des Neiges massif, this peak is seriously nicknamed the "balcony of Reunion Island" – and for good reason. The road itself, Route Forestière n°8 du Maïdo (or Maïdo Forest Road), is a fully paved ribbon of tarmac that winds its way up, but be warned, it gets pretty narrow and twisty! The climb kicks off from the RF6 road and stretches for about 5.4 kilometers (3.35 miles). In that short distance, you'll gain a whopping 424 meters in elevation. The road averages around 7.85%, but hold on tight, because some sections crank up to a crazy 12% gradient! At the top, you’ll find a parking lot and a weather station, but the real reward is the scenery. Think jaw-dropping views of the ocean, untouched wilderness, and the Cirque de Mafate stretching out beneath you more than 1000m below. Honestly, the panoramic views of the west coast are worth the white-knuckle drive alone. Trust me, this is one road trip you won't forget!