Where is the D22 Road?
France, europe
18.5 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Clinging to the cliffs of the French Riviera, the D22 is a wild ride you won't forget. This iconic balcony road zig-zags skyward from Menton, near the Italian border, offering heart-stopping views of the Côte d'Azur.
The D22 is a local legend, a training ground for cycling pros testing their mettle. Don't let that fool you — it's a challenging 18.5 km climb with gradients hitting 12%! The pavement's smooth, but the road is seriously narrow, often without center lines or guardrails. Expect blind corners and five unlit, single-lane tunnels carved right into the rock. And be prepared for sunshine – this road bakes in the summer heat!
As you ascend, the D22 snakes past Col de Bausson (732m), Col de la Madone de Gorbio (927m), and Col de Saint-Pancrace (673m). The higher you get, the narrower it becomes, but the panoramic vistas are your reward. Picture this: the Mediterranean shimmering below, Monaco gleaming in the distance, all framed by stunning mountain scenery. Grab your camera; you'll want to capture every moment of this unforgettable drive!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 18.5 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
moderateSilla de la Yegua: Ultimate 4wd destination in Leon
🇪🇸 Spain
# Silla de la Yegua: A Wild Mountain Drive in Northern Spain Looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure? Head to the Province of León in Spain and tackle Silla de la Yegua, a rugged 2,135-meter (7,004 ft) peak that'll test your driving skills and reward you with some seriously remote mountain vibes. Nestled in the Montes Aquilanos range within the Montes de León system, this peak sits just south-southeast of El Bierzo in the Castile and León region. Fair warning: the summit is crowned with communication towers and facilities, so it's got that authentic working-mountain feel. The Road Itself: Starting from Los Portillinos Pass on Road LE-CV-192/21, you're looking at a punchy 3.4-kilometer (2.11-mile) push uphill via Pico El Morredero. That's about 243 meters of elevation gain with an average gradient of 7.14%—steep but manageable if your vehicle is up for it. Here's the catch though: this is pure unpaved terrain. A 4x4 is basically essential if you want any chance of success. The Montes Aquilanos throw serious weather your way, and winter conditions make the road nearly impassable. Even when conditions aren't extreme, you'll encounter plenty of challenging moments. If you're comfortable with rocky tracks, sketchy conditions, and the thrill of conquering a genuine mountain road, Silla de la Yegua delivers an unforgettable experience in one of Spain's wildest corners.
hardHow long is the Savikyläntie road?
🌍 Finland
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through South Karelia in Finland, and you stumble upon this hidden gem called Savikyläntie. It's a 7-mile stretch of pure, unadulterated Finnish countryside, running from Ahmovaara to Lahnalampi, right through Savilahti. Now, hold up – it's not paved! But don't worry, most cars can handle it. The views? Epic! Think rolling hills and endless forests. Just be ready for some serious climbs; this road isn't shy about hitting a 17% grade in spots. You'll climb to about 524 feet above sea level, so expect some ups and downs. All in all, budget about 15-20 minutes to soak it all in without rushing. Trust me, you'll want to.
hardA military road to Colle Bandia
🇮🇹 Italy
# Colle Bandia Tucked away in Italy's northwestern corner, Colle Bandia sits at 2,429m (7,969ft) in the Province of Cuneo, perched right on the border between the Stura Valley and Maira Valley. This is seriously high-altitude terrain in the Cottian Alps of Piedmont, and you're practically touching the French border from up here. The 3.8km (2.36-mile) route runs west to east, connecting Colle Margherina to Colle di Valcavera, and it's mostly unpaved—think rough mountain cart track rather than polished highway. The good news? It's totally doable in a regular passenger car when the weather cooperates. The bad news? It's narrow. Like, *really* narrow. Meeting another vehicle head-on isn't just inconvenient; it's a genuine puzzle you'll want to avoid. The slope is pretty gentle for a mountain pass, which helps, but this is definitely a road that demands respect and patience. What makes it worthwhile are the incredible views and the fascinating military history scattered along the route. You'll spot abandoned military barracks dotting the landscape, including the Caserme della Bandia near the summit—remnants of Italy's defensive past that add real character to the drive. Skip this one if you're nervous about tight spaces, but if you're up for an adventure with a side of Alpine history and panoramic mountain vistas, Colle Bandia delivers the goods.
moderateWhere is Cimabanche Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Ciao, road trippers! Let's talk about Passo di Cimabanche, a totally sweet mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,530 meters (5,029 ft) in Italy! You'll find this gem, also known as Gemärkpass, straddling the Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige regions in the northeast. Think stunning scenery! The Strada Statale 51 di Alemagna (SS51 Road) winds its way through here. It’s paved and mostly a smooth ride, perfect for cruising, though keep an eye out for a few spots where the road gets a little rough. Heading north from Cortina, after you crest the summit, you can hang a right and explore a bit more. Just south of the pass, you'll find the remains of Lake Bianco, and the pretty Lake Nero and Lake Rufiedo. This epic road stretches for 30.8 km (19.13 miles), connecting the famous resort town of Cortina d'Ampezzo with Toblach-Dobbiaco in the Val Pusteria. Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! You're in the Dolomites, people! Near the top, the views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo are postcard-perfect. Plus, you can check out Strong Point No. 4 (Blockade Cimabanche Pass), a massive bunker built into the rocks as part of Mussolini's Alpine Wall defense system. Inside, you’ll find it was armed with three machine guns back in the day. Pretty wild!