Why is it called Commerson Crater?
France, europe
N/A
N/A
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
moderateHow to drive the Lofoten National Tourist Route on the Lofoten Islands?
🇳🇴 Norway
# The Lofoten National Tourist Route: Norway's Arctic Gem Ready for one of Norway's most jaw-dropping road trips? Head to the Lofoten Islands, sitting pretty above the Arctic Circle, and buckle up for the Lofoten National Tourist Route. This 230km (142 miles) stretch of the E10 is pure magic on wheels. Starting at the Raftsundet bridge in the north and finishing at the charming village of Å in the south, this route winds through Nordland County in northwestern Norway. Most of the drive is paved, though you'll encounter some pleasantly narrow sections that keep things interesting. What makes this drive absolutely unforgettable? The coastal scenery is next-level stunning. Expect dramatic mountain vistas, serpentine roads hugging the coastline, and tunnels that suddenly open up to breathtaking panoramas. Seriously, bring a good camera – you'll want to capture every moment. **The Details:** - **Roads:** E10, plus routes 807, 811, 825, 992, and 994 - **Length:** 230km - **Highest elevation:** 59m - **Ferries:** None needed - **Winter:** The route stays open year-round, though bad weather can cause brief closures during winter months This is the kind of road trip that belongs on every driving enthusiast's bucket list. The combination of Arctic beauty, twisting roads, and coastal magic makes it an experience you'll be talking about for years.
hardThe breathtaking road to Dzhanka Saddle
🌍 Bulgaria
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're hunting for an off-the-grid adventure in Bulgaria, Dzhanka Saddle is calling your name. Nestled high in the Rila Mountains, this bad boy tops out at 2,346 meters (that's 7,696 feet!), making it one of Bulgaria's highest roads. You'll find it straddling the line between Sofia and Blagoevgrad provinces, deep within the Rila National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for the fire lookout tower at the summit! Now, here's the thing: this isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. We're talking completely unpaved, seriously steep (up to 18% gradient!), and definitely a 4x4-only situation. In fact, it's closed to private vehicles. The climb stretches for 7.6 km, and you'll gain 438 meters in elevation along the way. Get ready for an average gradient of 5.76% that will definitely test your mettle! Winter? Forget about it – this pass is impassable. But if you're up for the challenge, the views are supposed to be epic!
hardDriving the Paved Road to Cibiana Pass in Veneto
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo Cibiana: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure Tucked away in Belluno province in Italy's Veneto region, Passo Cibiana (also called Forcella Cibiana) sits at a respectable 1,535 meters elevation in the southern Dolomites. This 20.7 km paved route connects Forno di Zoldo to Venas di Cadore and delivers some seriously rewarding scenery and riding. The road itself is characterful—narrow, winding, and genuinely challenging in places. You'll encounter grades hitting 13.3% at their steepest, though the average hovers around 7-8% depending on which side you're climbing from. The northern approach (from Forno di Zoldo) spans 10.34 km with 724 meters of elevation gain, while the southern side covers 9.8 km with 762 meters of gain. It's no casual cruise. One thing to keep in mind: the road's prone to rockslides, so stay sharp. Also, if you're driving an RV or truck, note there are restrictions for vehicles over 11 meters long or 17 tons—this isn't a highway, it's a proper mountain pass. The real magic? Head up the gravel track from the summit to Monte Rite via an old WWI military road. You'll spot fascinating wartime fortifications still standing on the mountainside—a haunting reminder of history nestled in these dramatic peaks. Cyclists know this route well; it's featured in the Giro d'Italia. The pass typically stays open year-round, making it accessible for most of the year. Whether you're chasing elevation, history, or just stunning alpine views, Passo Cibiana delivers all three.
extremeLac de Derborence: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Lac de Derborence: Switzerland's Heart-Pounding Alpine Road Nestled in Valais, Switzerland, Lac de Derborence sits pretty at 1,465m (4,806ft) above sea level—and getting there is half the adventure. This isn't your typical scenic drive; it's a genuinely thrilling experience that'll have your hands gripping the wheel. The lake itself has an epic origin story. Two catastrophic landslides (way back in 1714 and 1749) sent roughly 50 million cubic meters of rock tumbling into the Derbonne river, essentially creating Switzerland's youngest natural lake. Today, it's an ecological hotspot packed with rare aquatic species that caught the attention of famous author Charles Ferdinand Ramuz, who even wrote a novel about it. The Route de Derborence winds 18.2km (11.3 miles) through the dramatic Lizerne gorges from Conthey, and it's absolutely bonkers in the best way. The road is fully paved but genuinely narrow—we're talking single-file in spots. Here's where it gets wild: you'll snake through hand-carved tunnels with windows literally cut into the rock face, with some seriously exposed 300m drop-offs keeping things interesting. There are two tunnel stretches (one's really long), but don't worry—those carved-out windows mean you won't be driving in pitch darkness, and the views are utterly spectacular. Fair warning: this road isn't for the faint-hearted. Vehicles over 3.4m tall aren't permitted, and the steep climbs hit 15% gradients. You're looking at an elevation gain of 1,133 meters over those 18.2km, with an average gradient of 6.22%. Plan on 30-45 minutes of actual driving time. Pro tip: skip the weekends. The parking area gets absolutely rammed, and the narrow road becomes a real white-knuckle experience with heavy traffic. Also worth noting—winter closes this road from May through October or November, so time your visit for the summer months. And if you're stopping for photos, be extra careful; there aren't many pull-outs, and that cliff edge is no joke.