Where is the Ancien Fort de La Turra?
France, europe
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're off the beaten path in southeastern France, practically spitting distance from Italy, headed towards Ancien Fort de la Turra. This abandoned high-mountain fort sits way up high, so high in fact that I can't tell you exactly! You'll find the fort, with its cool old military buildings, in the shadow of the Écrins Mountains, nestled in the Hautes-Alpes region.
Now, the road up? It's a bit of an adventure, clocking in at maybe around two kilometers. You'll start on smooth pavement, but don't get too comfortable! The road is narrow and steep. But trust me, it's worth it for the panoramic views.
Related Roads in europe
hardKalami Beach
🇬🇷 Greece
# Kalami Beach: A Wild Ride to Paradise Nestled in eastern Crete, Kalami Beach is an absolute stunner—think pristine sandy shores and crystal-clear water. But here's the thing: getting there is half the adventure (and we mean that literally). From Perivolakia, you're looking at a 5-kilometer stretch of pure adrenaline. This gravel track winds through some seriously tight hairpin turns, climbs at steep angles, and narrows down to barely one-car width. Fair warning: it's rough. Like, really rough. And if rain rolls through? Conditions can get sketchy fast, especially with loose gravel lurking around every bend. Summer months bring crowds, so expect company on the road. You'll want a 4x4 or SUV for this one—regular cars will struggle. But don't let that scare you off. The payoff is insane. As you approach the beach, the landscape gets genuinely theatrical. The road squeezes through Perivolakia Gorge, this impossibly narrow canyon where towering walls practically swallow the sky. It's like nature decided to create the ultimate dramatic entrance, and honestly? It delivers. The whole drive is exhilarating, punctuated with jaw-dropping views that make your white knuckles totally worth it.
extremeColle della Boaria is a challenging drive in the Cottian Alps
🇮🇹 Italy
# Col de la Boaire-Colle della Boaria Sitting pretty at 2,102m (6,896ft) above sea level, this international alpine pass connects France and Italy right on their border. It bridges the Queyras valley in the French Hautes-Alpes with the charming Italian town of Pontechianale in Piedmont's Cuneo province. This isn't just any mountain road—it's got serious history. Originally carved out in the Middle Ages to haul salt from Ventimiglia to Turin via Limone Piemonte, the route was later expanded during WWII with military purposes in mind. The French and Italians beefed it up to connect the string of border forts, and you can still feel that military heritage as you wind through. Here's the real talk: the entire road to the summit is unpaved—a proper dirt track called the Via del Sale. We're talking genuinely gnarly conditions that demand serious respect. This isn't a casual Sunday drive; a 20km/h speed limit tells you everything you need to know. Regular cars? Not recommended. You'll want something with proper clearance and nerve. Nestled in the Cottian Alps, the pass shuts down from November through March every single year. Winter here is no joke—avalanches, heavy snow dumps, and treacherous ice patches can appear without warning. Conditions shift fast and can turn brutal in a heartbeat. But here's the payoff: when conditions allow, this wild dirt ribbon hugs the Maritime Alps ridges with jaw-dropping views that stretch from the sea to the mountains. It's raw, it's remote, and it's absolutely stunning for those brave enough to tackle it.
moderateA very bumpy, grueling road to Villavientos Refuge in Andalucia
🇪🇸 Spain
# Refugio Villavientos: A Windswept Mountain Adventure Perched at a breathtaking 3,094m (10,150ft) in Granada's Andalusian highlands, Refugio Villavientos is one of Europe's highest mountain refuges—and trust me, you'll feel every meter of that elevation gain. This charming spot started life as a Forest House, then served as a ranger station back when cars could actually reach it. Today, it's a rustic, unstaffed open refuge (no reservations possible), and honestly? That's part of its appeal. The name says it all—"Villavientos" literally means "windy town," and the near-constant gusts are absolutely relentless. You've been warned. The refuge itself is surprisingly cozy for such an exposed location. It's a simple, well-maintained single-story building with a split door, small window, and surprisingly clever interior setup: a communal table with benches, a spot to fire up camp stoves by the window, and two wooden sleeping platforms that can fit about a dozen people. Don't expect running water or a chimney—at this altitude, there's nothing to burn anyway—but in winter you can melt snow. The real magic? That westward-facing window. Catch sunset from here and you'll understand why this view ranks among the best in all of Sierra Nevada. Getting here is half the adventure. The unpaved Camino de los Franceses (also called Camino del Mulhacén) stretches 23.3km from Veleta peak down to the tiny town of Capileira. It's closed to private vehicles, so you'll be hiking or mountain biking past stunning alpine lakes the whole way. Fair warning: winter makes this road completely impassable. But when conditions are right? Absolutely worth it.
moderateHow to drive the scenic Ryfylke National Tourist?
🇳🇴 Norway
# Ryfylke National Tourist Route If you're craving one of Norway's most jaw-dropping drives, the Ryfylke National Tourist Route is calling your name. This 260 km (161 miles) beauty stretches from north to south between the charming village of Røldal and the tiny farming community of Oanes, and it's packed with everything that makes Scandinavian scenery legendary. Picture yourself winding through a landscape that screams dramatic contrasts—towering mountains, polished glacier-carved cliffs, cascading rockslides, and the deep blue fjords that Norway is famous for. It's the kind of drive that makes you want to pull over constantly just to soak it all in. The route follows Road 520 and Road 13, both fully paved, though fair warning: the sections heading over the mountain to Røldal get pretty narrow and twisty. If you're thinking of bringing a big bus, you might want to reconsider—shorter buses handle these hairpin turns way better. You'll climb to 972 meters (3,188 feet) above sea level at the highest point, and you'll want to save this adventure for the warmer months. The road typically shuts down starting in November and doesn't reopen until June, so plan accordingly. With two ferries included in the route and scenery that'll make every mile feel like a victory lap, this is absolutely one for the bucket list.