Where is Puy de la Perdrix?
France, europe
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the heart of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, itching for an adventure. Set your sights on Puy de la Perdrix, one of the highest peaks around!
Forget your sedan, you'll need a 4x4 to tackle this baby. Just past the paved section, a rugged, unpaved track kicks off, leading towards the Funitel de La Perdrix – the only cable car in the Massif Central, no less! This is also a paragliding mecca!
The track to the top is short but sweet. We're talking roughly 3.4 km of unadulterated off-road goodness, with a hefty 500m climb. Get ready for an average gradient of almost 15%! Be warned: winter makes this road totally impassable.
But hey, once you conquer that climb, the views from the summit of Le Puy de la Perdrix will blow your mind. You'll be treated to a panoramic spectacle of the Massif Central and its surrounding peaks. Trust me, that view is worth every bump and jolt along the way.
Related Roads in europe
hardDriving the challenging Défilé de Ruoms, a French balcony road
🇫🇷 France
# Défilé de Ruoms: A Hidden Gem in France's Ardèche Region Nestled in the Ardèche department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Défilé de Ruoms is honestly one of the most stunning scenic drives you'll find anywhere in France. If you're looking for that jaw-dropping balcony road experience, this is it. ## Can You Actually Drive Through Here? Absolutely! The D4 (aka Route des Défilés or locally just "Défilés de Ruoms") cuts right through the defile high above the Ardèche river. Fair warning though: this paved road is seriously narrow and will test your nerves. The real magic happens as you wind through a succession of tunnels and carved stone arches that seem to frame the dramatic limestone cliffs perfectly. It's stunning, but you've got to stay sharp—the road is winding, parking is basically non-existent, and drivers need to be respectful of the terrain. ## How Far Is It? The scenic section stretches 7.5 km (4.66 miles), running north-south from D104 down to Ruoms. The route follows an ancient mule track—first the Royal Road, then the Imperial Road—with such an impressive legacy that it actually inspired American road builder Sam Hill to create the famous Columbia River Highway. ## When Was This Built? Most drivers tackle this route in about 15 to 25 minutes without stopping. The whole thing was hand-carved into the rock around 1866 using pretty basic methods—just crowbars and gunpowder. The fact that it still stands as such a spectacular drive is a testament to the skill of those old engineers.
moderateDriving the Wild P25 Highway in Komi Republic
🌍 Russia
Okay, picture this: you, a car, and 206 miles of pure, unadulterated Russian wilderness. That's what you get with the P25 highway, smack-dab in the Komi Republic. Starting in Syktyvkar - ever heard of it? It’s the capital, way up near the Ural Mountains, and its name literally means "town on the Sysola River" in the local lingo. From there, you'll cruise through places like Yemva before finally hitting Ukhta, an industrial hub. The whole trip clocks in at around 4.5 hours, minimum. The road's paved, which is a plus, but be warned: you’re seriously remote out here! Forget about lane markings and prepare for some seriously long, straight stretches of road. This is a drive for those who like their scenery served with a side of solitude.
extremeHow long is the Cat and Fiddle Road?
🇬🇧 England
Cruising between Macclesfield and Buxton in Cheshire, England, you'll find the Cat and Fiddle Road – a ride that's as thrilling as it is infamous. This stretch of the A54 and A537 clocks in at just over 10 miles, linking Macclesfield to Buxton as it carves its way through the Peak District National Park. Built way back in 1823, it gets its name from the pub perched at the summit (rumoured to be one of the highest in England!). But don't let the charming name fool you, this route is a challenge! Reaching a peak of over 1,600 feet, it's got some seriously steep sections with gradients hitting 8%. Expect sharp bends, dramatic drops, and stone walls hugging the edges pretty much the whole way. It's a hotspot for tourists, trucks, and motorcyclists, but be extra careful in winter. Snow and ice are common, making conditions treacherous. There's a reason it's gained a reputation. Allow around 20-30 minutes to drive it without stopping, but factor in extra time for those views! This road is famous for its scenery across Greater Manchester, the Peak District, and the Cheshire Plain. Plus, keep an eye out for the spot where a chase scene was filmed for the movie "The Living Daylights"!
moderateWhere is Vyšší Brod Pass?
🌍 Czech Republic
Vyšší Brod Pass is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 752m (2,467ft) above sea level, located on the border of Austria and the Czech Republic. Where is Vyšší Brod Pass? Set high in the Bohemian Forest, the pass, known as Vyšebrodský Průsmyk and Hohenfurther Pass, links the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic and the Austrian state of Upper Austria. When was the road through Vyšší Brod Pass built? The first road through the pass was built in Roman times. Is the road to Vyšší Brod Pass paved? The road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called B126 in Austria and Route 161 in the Czech Republic. How long is Vyšší Brod Pass? The pass is 12.2 km (7.58 miles) long, running north-south from Vyšší Brod (in Český Krumlov District in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic) to Bad Leonfelden (in the district of Urfahr-Umgebung in the Austrian state of Upper Austria). A paved road to the top of Lucni Hora Zlate Navrsi is a steep paved climb in the Czech Republic Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.