A brutal unpaved road to Col des Pres
France, europe
6 km
2,652 m
moderate
Year-round
# Col des Prés
Ready for a proper alpine adventure? Col des Prés sits pretty at 2,652m (8,700ft) in France's Savoie department—making it one seriously high mountain pass. You'll find it nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France, just a stone's throw from the Italian border and west of the impressive Rocher du Charvet peak.
Here's the thing: this isn't your typical paved mountain road. The entire route is completely unpaved, and frankly, it's built as a chairlift access trail for the Val d'Isère ski resort. You'll need a proper 4x4 to even attempt it. The drive from Val-d'Isère to the summit is only 6km (3.72 miles), but those are six seriously rugged kilometers.
Perched high in the stunning French Alps within Vanoise National Park, this route offers incredible scenery—but come winter, forget about it. The road becomes completely impassable once the snow rolls in, so timing your visit is absolutely crucial. This is peak summer adventure territory for hardcore off-road enthusiasts who want to experience the raw beauty of the high Alps.
Where is it?
A brutal unpaved road to Col des Pres is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 47.4738, 1.9514
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,652 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 47.4738, 1.9514
Related Roads in europe
extremeThe road to Negovanu Lake has it all
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in Romania's Sibiu County, hiding at 1,150m (3,772ft) above sea level, you'll find the stunning Lacul Negovanu. Getting there? That's the real adventure. This isn't your average Sunday drive. Think 60.3 km (37.46 miles) of seriously defiant road snaking from the Transalpina Road (DN67C) to Sadu. We're talking hundreds of turns, steep climbs that'll test your nerve, and a mix of paved and unpaved sections that'll keep you on your toes. Located within the Parcul Natural Cindrel, this forest road isn't on all maps, so get ready for some off-the-beaten-path exploration. Seriously, you'll want a high-clearance vehicle for this one. Trust me. And keep your eyes peeled! Signposts are MIA, and with all the intersections, it's easy to lose your way. You'll pass through some of Romania's most humble villages, adding a cultural layer to your off-road escapade. The views are breathtaking, but the drive? Unforgettable.
hardWhere is Puerto de las Palomas?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park in southern Spain, province of Cádiz, heading for the legendary Puerto de las Palomas. This mountain pass climbs to a lofty 1,190 meters (3,904 feet) above sea level – despite what that misleading sign at the top might say! The road, CA-9104, is all smooth pavement, but don't let that fool you. This isn't your average Sunday drive. Get ready for a wild ride of non-stop curves and hairpin turns as you grind your way up some seriously steep sections, hitting gradients of up to 14%! Clocking in at 15.7 kilometers (9.75 miles) between Zahara de la Sierra in the north and the area near Grazalema to the south, this road is usually open year-round, though winter snow might occasionally close it. Is it worth it? Absolutely! The summit has a small parking area where you can catch your breath and soak in the stunning views. There's even a hiking path for a better view of the provinces of Cadiz, Málaga, and Seville. Trust me, the panoramic vistas are totally worth the white knuckles.
moderateDriving the brutally steep (45%) Rua da Barreira
🇵🇹 Portugal
# Rua da Barreira: Madeira's Gravity-Defying Street Want to experience one of the world's most absurdly steep roads? Head to Funchal, the heart of Portugal's Madeira archipelago, where Rua da Barreira will absolutely mess with your sense of balance. We're talking a jaw-dropping 45% gradient at its worst sections, with an average steepness of 25.17% throughout. Most of the road is straightforward enough—just paved and pretty standard, albeit tilted at an angle that'll make your stomach do backflips. But then you hit *that section*. It's so brutal that regular cars literally can't make it through (thankfully there's a bypass). The asphalt even gives up and surrenders to cement partway down, as if admitting defeat. Here's where it gets quirky: the local bus service (line 90) runs customized 4x4 buses that look like something straight out of a cartoon. These aren't your average city buses—they're engineered specifically for the madness that is Rua da Barreira. The numbers? The street stretches 290 meters, climbing from 710m to 783m in elevation, with slopes reaching a bonkers 25-28° angle (or 45-50% if you prefer that metric). The gnarliest bit sits between bus stops Barreira 91 and CAM Trapiche Entronca S. It's short, it's steep, and it's absolutely wild.
hardWhere is Sanson Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between France and Italy, high up in the Ligurian Alps. You're on Sanson Pass, a seriously scenic – and rugged – adventure at 1,694 meters (5,557 feet). This isn't your typical Sunday drive. We're talking a 41.5 km (25.78 miles) unpaved cart-road, a former military route that winds its way from near La Brigue, France, to Molini di Triora, Italy. Forget smooth asphalt; it's all gravel, all the time, so bring your A-game driving skills! But the views? Totally worth the bumpy ride. You'll pass the ruins of old military barracks and fortifications, relics from a time when these mountains were a strategic defense line. Make sure to check out the spur road to the Balcone di Marta to see an amazing fortress that now hides under meadows, and consider visiting the charming villages of Realdo and Verdeggia, little shepherd settlements clinging to the mountainside. Sanson Pass is a blast from the past with a view, just begging to be explored!