An old military road to Col de La Buffere in the Alps
France, europe
5.1 km
2,431 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de Buffère
Perched at a seriously impressive 2,431 meters (7,975 feet) above sea level, Col de Buffère sits in the Hautes-Alpes department of southeastern France, right in the heart of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.
Built between 1902 and 1907 as a military route, this pass has some serious historical clout. At the summit, you'll spot remnants of World War II fortifications—part of the Ouvrage Col de Buffere from the Maginot Line. While the original plans included more combat blocks, many were never finished, adding an intriguing sense of incompleteness to the site.
Now, here's the real deal: the climb up via the Piste du Col de La Buffere is absolutely gorgeous but seriously demanding. We're talking completely unpaved terrain with gravel and rocky sections throughout. Some stretches hit gradients of 20%, so a 4x4 is pretty much essential if you're thinking of tackling this beast. The 5.1-kilometer (3.16-mile) ascent gains 314 meters with an average gradient of 6.15%—starting from the paved D234T below.
Fair warning: Alpine conditions mean the road shuts down from late October through late June or early July. Also, once you get near the summit, private vehicles are barred from the final stretch. It's a protective measure for this fragile landscape and honestly makes sense given the narrow passages and heart-stopping drop-offs.
Nestled within Écrins National Park, this route rewards your effort with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Mix in the historical military structures, and you've got an adventure that's equal parts natural beauty and fascinating history.
Where is it?
An old military road to Col de La Buffere in the Alps is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.5450, 2.1669
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 5.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,431 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 45.5450, 2.1669
Related Roads in europe
hardFort Pepin
🇫🇷 France
Fort Pepin is a military fortress at an elevation of 2.278m (7,473ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France, near the Italian border. The road to the summit is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times. It's an old military road. The road is usually impassable from October to June (weather permitting). The fortress was built in 1883. Expect a trail pretty steep. The track is authorized for motorcycles and ATVs. Le Gros Villan, one of the steepest tracks in the world Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateThe curvy road to San Bernardino Pass was built in 1770
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Passo di San Bernardino: A Swiss Alpine Classic Perched at 2,065 meters (6,775 feet) in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, Passo di San Bernardino is one of those legendary Alpine passes that deserves a spot on every road-tripper's bucket list. Named after San Bernardino of Siena, who supposedly preached here back in the early 1400s, this mountain gateway has been connecting the Hinterrhein and Mesolcina valleys since Roman times. The pass's real heyday came in the 15th century when it became a crucial mule track, followed by the construction of a proper wheeled-vehicle road in 1770. Between 1821 and 1823, they spruced it up significantly—so much so that locals called it "The Italian Road." Then came 1967 and the opening of the San Bernardino tunnel, which actually turned out to be a blessing for those of us who prefer the scenic route. Traffic shifted underground, leaving the mountain pass wonderfully peaceful for those willing to take the long way. Route 13, as it's officially known, stretches 30.6 kilometers (19 miles) north-south from the village of Hinterrhein to the charming municipality of Mesocco. Every inch is fully paved, but you're in for a treat—or a challenge, depending on how you look at it. More than 40 hairpin turns (most clustered in the northern section) keep you honest, with gradients hitting 9.7% on some stretches. Plan about 45 minutes for the drive without stops, though honestly, you'll want to linger. The road only opens May through November, so time your visit accordingly. Once you reach the summit, you'll discover a pristine alpine lake with impossibly blue water and a historic hospice. The views? Absolutely stunning—Swiss Alps at their most majestic.
hardDriving Through the Felbertauern Tunnel in the Heart of the Alps
🇦🇹 Austria
# Felbertauern Tunnel: Austria's Alpine Gateway Tucked away at 1,650 meters (5,413 feet) in the heart of Austria's Hohe Tauern National Park, the Felbertauern Tunnel sits right on the border between Salzburg and Tyrol. Before this marvel was completed in 1967, getting from East Tyrol to Innsbruck meant taking a serious detour—either through South Tyrol or tackling the seasonal Großglockner High Alpine Road. Not ideal, especially when winter hit. Named after the nearby Felbertauern Pass (which peaks at a beefy 2,481 meters), this impressive tunnel stretches about 5.3 kilometers (3.3 miles) and ranks among Austria's longest road tunnels. It's a single-tube setup with two-way traffic, and yes, there's a toll to use it. The whole experience is surprisingly modern for an Alpine crossing. The road (B 108) is fully paved, with more than a third running through protective avalanche galleries and tunnels—because this is serious mountain terrain. Over half the route actually features three lanes, and you'll find long stretches spanning elegant bridges. The gradient never exceeds 10%, though the approach ramps can hit 9.3% in steeper sections. Running north-south from Mittersill in Salzburg to the medieval town of Lienz in Tyrol, the 65-kilometer (40-mile) route climbs through some dramatic Alpine scenery. The best part? It's open year-round, so you're not stuck waiting for summer to cross. Just pull up to one of the tunnel portals and arrange a shuttle if you prefer—easy as that.
hardAdventure along Pas de Colle Ardente
🇫🇷 France
# Passo di Collardente-Pas de Colle Ardente Nestled in the Maritime Alps at 1,617 meters (5,305 ft), this high mountain pass sits right on the Italy-France border and is the crown jewel of the legendary Via del Sale route. If you're up for an adventure, the Via del Sale delivers in spades. This isn't your typical paved road—it's a rugged dirt track and mule path that demands respect and a capable vehicle (or serious hiking boots). The scenery? Absolutely spectacular. You're riding through some of the most dramatic alpine terrain imaginable. Just keep in mind: this route transforms with the seasons. The pass is closed from October through March when winter weather takes over, so plan your visit for the warmer months if you want to actually make it through. Outside of winter, though, this is an unforgettable trek through some of Europe's most stunning mountain country.