Why is it called Commerson Crater?
France, europe
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hard
Year-round
Okay, so you're heading to Réunion Island? Awesome! You absolutely HAVE to check out Cratère Commerson. This volcanic crater sits way up high – think serious altitude – on the island's volcanic slopes.
The road to get there, Route Forestière 5 du Volcan (also known as Volcano Road, fittingly!), is a real adventure. It’s unpaved, and a pretty steep climb that ends at Col des Ves, a mountain pass. The whole stretch is roughly a good few miles of winding road.
Word to the wise: the sun up there can be intense, so sunscreen is your best friend. But hey, this is a volcanic landscape! Be prepared for the weather to change on a dime. Rain is common, especially during storms, and fog can roll in fast, so keep an eye on the forecast, and pack accordingly.
Related Roads in europe
hardHow long is the Villach Alpine Road?
🇦🇹 Austria
Get ready for an epic Austrian adventure on the Villacher Alpenstraße! This stunner of a road winds its way up Dobratsch, a peak just shy of Carinthia's highest, near the borders of Italy and Slovenia. This toll road, built in '65, stretches for about 16.5 km (around 10 miles) of pure driving bliss, if you're up for the challenge! Be warned, this isn't a casual Sunday drive. You'll be tackling a pretty steep 10% gradient and climbing a whopping 1,200 meters to an altitude of 1,732m. Expect hairpin turns galore (seven to be exact) and a dizzying 116 curves! Despite the height and exposure to some serious winds and changeable weather, it's usually open year-round, so you can experience it in all seasons. Trust me, though, it's worth it! There are plenty of parking spots and viewpoints along the way, perfect for snapping those Insta-worthy shots. You'll be treated to incredible panoramas, from the Karawanken range to the Julian Alps sprawling across Italy and Slovenia. Starting near Villach-Möltschach (that's where you pay the toll), the road culminates at the Rosstratte View Point. The constant twists, turns, and sometimes narrow sections make for an exciting drive even for experienced drivers. Every bend offers a fresh perspective of Villach, the Julian Alps, and the majestic Dobratsch in the eastern Alps. Whether you stick to the designated viewpoints or find your own secret spots, prepare for some serious scenic overload!
hardWhen was the road to Sölk Pass built?
🇦🇹 Austria
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Austrian state of Styria, hitting up the Sölk Pass. This road, L704 (aka Erzherzog-Johann-Straße), clocks in at about 40 kilometers, snaking its way between Schöder and Stein an der Enns. You're climbing to almost 1,800 meters (5,882 feet) above sea level, so be prepared for some serious views. The road's been around in some form since, like, the Bronze Age, but it's been fully paved since '86. Now, heads up: this isn't a Sunday drive. Expect plenty of curves, some spots get pretty narrow, and hairpin turns are definitely part of the fun. Some sections get super steep, pushing a 15% gradient. Watch out for frost damage in the summer, too. Big rigs, take note: buses over 12 meters and 16 tonnes aren't allowed. The Sölk Pass usually shuts down for the winter, opening back up around May. Give yourself at least 45 minutes to an hour and a half to enjoy the drive. At the top, check out the Sölkpass Kapelle. The mountain views are absolutely stunning, making the whole trip totally worth it.
hardTravel guide to the top of Vatnsskarð
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, picture this: Vatnsskarð, a mountain pass hanging out at 200 meters (656 feet) above sea level on the Reykjanesskagi Peninsula in southwest Iceland. The road to get there, Route 42, is a bit of a bumpy ride – all gravel, baby! Fair warning, this pass gets hammered with snow in the winter, so it's often closed. You'll definitely be climbing some pretty steep sections, so be prepared! But seriously, the views are totally worth it!
hardAn iconic road to Port de Boucharo in the Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Port de Boucharo-Puerto de Bujaruelo: A Franco-Spanish Alpine Adventure Tucked away at 2,278 meters (7,473 ft) on the Spanish-French border, this mountain pass sits as one of the Pyrenees' most intriguing crossings. Fair warning: the final stretch to the summit is blocked off to vehicles by massive boulders—so you'll need to lace up your hiking boots for those last couple of kilometers. ## Where Exactly Is This Place? Straddling the border between Spain's Aragon region (Huesca province) and France's Occitania (Hautes-Pyrénées), this pass—also called Port de Gavarnie—ranks as the lowest Franco-Spanish border crossing in the area, aside from the Aragnouet-Bielsa tunnel. ## A Road With a Wild History People have been crossing here for centuries, but the road itself? That's a different story. Even Napoleon had ideas about building a route through here back in 1811, though it took until the 1930s before anyone seriously studied the project. Then came the Spanish Civil War and World War II—projects like this get shelved pretty quickly during wartime. The French finally completed their side in 1969, but the Spanish side never materialized. Those last two kilometers eventually got declassified, and honestly, it adds to the adventure. ## Getting There: Two Very Different Routes **The French Route (D-923):** This is the main event. A narrow, twisty paved road launching from Gavarnie, it climbs 12.4 km (7.7 miles) with 895 meters of elevation gain—averaging 7.21% gradient. It's got hairpin turns and that dramatic final 1.6 km where vehicles have to stop. Rockslides are a real concern up here. **The Spanish Route:** Prefer a more rustic experience? There's a mule track starting from Sant Nicolau de Buixaruelo for the adventurous souls. ## Best Time to Visit You're looking at a May-to-November window. The Pyrenees don't take kindly to winter visitors, and weather can turn nasty pretty much any day of the year. Come prepared.