Where is Rionda?
Switzerland, europe
15.3 km
1.75 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, because the climb to Rionda in Switzerland is seriously epic! Nestled in the canton of Vaud, close to the French and Italian borders, this beast of a mountain peaks at 2,157 meters (that's over 7,000 feet!).
Starting in Lavey-Morcles (a cute village at 442m), you're in for a 15.3km (9.5-mile) haul straight up to the summit. We’re talking about an average gradient of 11.2%, with only a couple of brief reprieves. Most of the time you'll be grinding at over 10% on paved and unpaved sections.
The beginning is deceivingly gentle, but don't let it fool you. Soon enough, you'll be wrestling with switchbacks that just keep coming. The views along the way? Absolutely killer. Keep in mind the final kilometer has been reported to be blocked off by a barrier and padlock at approximately 1,750m above sea level, so plan accordingly and you might not be able to make it to the very peak.
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 15.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1.75 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateSpina Pass is an adventure track you will never forget
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo della Spina: A Wild Ride Through the Orobie Alps Want to experience a truly unforgettable drive? The Anfo Ridge Road might be exactly what you're looking for. Perched at 1,521 meters (4,990 feet) in Brescia, Lombardy, this 20.1-kilometer beast stretches east-west from Anfo to Passo del Maniva, taking you through some seriously stunning alpine terrain. This isn't your average mountain pass. Originally traced by Roman soldiers centuries ago, the mostly unpaved route climbs through four high passes—Passo Baremone (1,450m), Passo della Spina (1,521m), Passo della Berga (1,527m), and Passo del Dosso Alto (1,727m)—with four short unlit tunnels adding to the adventure. The road even got a makeover in 2010 with new tunnels bypassing the scariest narrow sections. Fair warning: this is definitely not for the faint of heart. Expect narrow, pothole-filled pavement, steep grades up to 12 percent, exposed precipices, rockfall hazards, and tight corners that'll keep you white-knuckling the wheel. Speed limits are capped at 20 km/h for good reason, and oversized vehicles (wider than 2.5m or taller than 3.2m) aren't allowed. The road spent six years closed after a landslide but reopened in 2009. Its rough condition and lack of maintenance mean traffic remains sparse—exactly what makes it feel like your own private alpine playground. Open June through October (weather permitting), this is one scenic, stony, dusty adventure that'll make for unforgettable stories.
hardWhere is Uzungöl Plateau?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Uzungöl Plateau is calling your name with its crazy-high elevation of 10,127 feet! We're talking seriously up there. You'll find this stunner south of Danakiran Road (another high pass at 9,849 feet!) where the provinces of Erzurum and Artvin meet in the northeast of Turkey. Heads up: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road to the top is completely unpaved and super rough. Prepare for a challenging ride, but so worth it! The climb stretches for about 6.46 miles. Expect some serious elevation gain. Word to the wise: this road is usually closed in winter. Aim for other seasons for the best (and safest) experience! The views from up there are unreal!
moderateA great road to Cormet de Roselend in the Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Cormet de Roselend Nestled in the Savoie department of southeastern France near the Italian border, Cormet de Roselend sits at a breezy 1,991m (6,532ft) elevation. The name itself—derived from the Latin "Culmen"—literally means summit, and boy, does it deliver on that promise. This iconic stretch is part of the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes and spans 39.5 km (24.54 miles) of fully paved bliss, connecting Beaufort in the Beaufortain valley to Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the Tarentaise Valley via routes D902 and D925. Fair warning: 22 hairpin turns await you, so bring your A-game driving skills. The climb is no joke. From Beaufort's side, you're looking at 20.32 km of ascending with 1,227 meters of elevation gain (averaging 6%, with punchy 8.9% sections). The Bourg-Saint-Maurice approach is slightly shorter at 19.35 km, but still packs 1,154 meters of climb with steeper 10% sections—topped out at a gnarly 12% through some sections. Don't be fooled by that modest 6% average; the road starts relatively gentle under tree cover before dropping you into a relentless sequence of 10 tight hairpins that'll keep your heart racing. Summer's the sweet spot for driving here, as winter closures are pretty standard at this altitude. The Tour de France has featured this pass multiple times, and it's easy to see why. The real showstopper? Lac de Roselend, the stunning reservoir you'll spot on the western side, plus those jaw-dropping Mont Blanc views when you pass by Vallée des Glaciers. Think endless alpine meadows, cowbell soundtracks, and scenery that just keeps getting better with every turn.
hardUnterer Bockhartsee
🇦🇹 Austria
# Unterer Bockhartsee: Alpine Adventure Awaits Tucked away in Austria's Salzburg region, the Unterer Bockhartsee sits pretty at a lofty 1,869 meters (6,131 feet) in the stunning High Tauern mountains. Getting there? That's where the real adventure begins. This is a gravel and rocky route that'll test your driving skills—expect a bumpy, tippy ride that demands respect. The road climbs steeply, so you'll definitely feel the elevation gain in your bones. Only attempt this between July and September when the weather cooperates; winter snow and ice shut things down from October through June. Here's the real talk: this isn't for everyone. If unpaved mountain roads aren't your jam, skip it. Nervous about heights? Not the drive for you. But if you're an experienced mountain driver who loves a challenge, you're in for an incredible ride. Fair warning though—rainy days turn this trail into a muddy slog, so check the forecast before you head out. The payoff? Breathtaking alpine scenery and the satisfaction of conquering one seriously wild mountain road. This is the kind of drive that reminds you why you fell in love with exploring in the first place.