Clue de Saint Auban is a scenic balcony road in France
France, europe
7.3 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
# Clue de Saint Auban: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure
If you're craving one of France's most iconic balcony roads, the Clue de Saint Auban delivers pure adrenaline and jaw-dropping views. This spectacular gorge, carved by the Esteron River, sits tucked between the Alpes de Haute-Provence and Alpes Maritimes departments in the southeastern corner of the PACA region, right where the Verdon meets the Estéron valley.
The fully paved D2211 winds its way through the gorge like a ribbon clinging to the mountainside—and we mean *clinging*. This isn't your average scenic drive. The road hugs the cliff edge on a narrow ledge with dramatic rock overhangs that'll make you feel like you're driving through a cathedral. Keep an eye out for a chapel carved directly into the rock face—locals still hold services here every September, and it's legitimately awe-inspiring.
The real showstopper? The 7.3 km stretch between Saint-Auban and Briançonnet. This section is where things get serious. You're navigating a single-lane ribbon of pavement that contours impossibly high along sheer ravine walls, with overhanging rock creating a tunnel-like effect. It's one of the deepest and steepest clues in all of Provence, and rock slides are a genuine concern here. Rally Monte-Carlo drivers have tackled this section for years—if that tells you anything about the challenge level.
Nestled at the foot of Mont Teillon, this balcony road is famous for good reason. The scenery is absolutely stunning as you snake through forests and mountains, but stay sharp on those hairpin turns. Use those parking spots thoughtfully, and you'll have an unforgettable Alpine adventure.
Where is it?
Clue de Saint Auban is a scenic balcony road in France is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.4229, 2.9581
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 7.3 km
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 45.4229, 2.9581
Related Roads in europe
hardIs the Road to Baltaş Tepesi Unpaved?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Baltaş Tepesi in Turkey's Rize Province! This isn't your average Sunday drive – we're talking serious off-road territory. At a whopping 3,047 meters (almost 10,000 feet!), it's one of Turkey's highest routes and totally unpaved, so a 4x4 is a must. The 37.5 km (23 miles) journey from Çataldere to Ortaklar is packed with seriously steep sections, some hitting a 15% gradient. Expect a narrow, winding path with incredible views of the Black Sea region, but be warned: winter snow makes this pass impassable, so plan your trip accordingly. Get ready for an unforgettable, rugged experience!
hardTunnel des Montets
🇫🇷 France
# Tunnel des Montets: Your Alpine Escape Route Tucked away in the Haute-Savoie region of France, the Tunnel des Montets (also called Col des Montets Tunnel) is a clever bit of engineering that's been saving travelers since 1907. Located just past Argentiere at Montroc village, this dual-purpose railway and road tunnel is your lifeline when Mother Nature decides to throw a tantrum in the mountains. At nearly 1,900 meters long and sitting at 1,386 meters elevation, this tunnel is all about practicality. When the Col des Montets pass gets hammered with snow or avalanche danger spikes, cars can slip straight through to Le Buet and Vallorcine instead of getting stuck outside. It's that simple. Just keep a few rules in mind if you're using it: your vehicle can't exceed 2.5 meters in height or 5.5 meters in length, the speed limit caps out at 50 km/h, and you need to maintain at least 100 meters between you and the car ahead. These aren't suggestions—they're there for a reason in this narrow underground passage. After a major renovation and reopening in December 2014, the tunnel is back in action and ready to get you safely through the mountains when conditions demand it. It's the kind of road feature that doesn't make headlines, but mountain travelers definitely appreciate it.
hardAn iconic paved road to Zillergrund-Stausee
🇦🇹 Austria
# Zillergrund-Stausee Nestled high in the Austrian Alps, the Zillergrund-Stausee sits pretty at 1,850m (6,069ft) and offers one seriously stunning alpine experience. Located in the Zillertal region of Tyrol, this mountain reservoir is the kind of place that makes you understand why people fall in love with the Alps. Getting there? The road is paved, which is great, but heads up—it's narrow with some genuinely steep pitches that'll max out around 13.3%. Those hairpin turns and elevation gains aren't for the faint of heart, but they're absolutely worth it for the jaw-dropping scenery and the sense of accomplishment when you roll up to this gem of a destination.
extremeWildkogel: Driving the steep 30% ski-station road in Salzburg
🇦🇹 Austria
# Wildkogel: Austria's Ultimate Alpine Challenge Nestled in the Oberpinzgau region of Salzburg, the Wildkogel peak towers at 2,086m (6,843ft) and sits pretty in the heart of the Kitzbühel Alps. This isn't your typical scenic drive—it's a full-on mountain adventure that'll test both your nerves and your ride. Starting from the charming town of Bramberg am Wildkogel, you're looking at a brutal 12.4 km (7.7 miles) journey straight up the mountain. Brace yourself: you'll gain a whopping 1,244 meters of elevation with an average gradient of 10.30%—and that's just the average. The road features 20 wickedly tight hairpin turns that snake their way upward, but here's where it gets real: sections of this track punch up to 30% gradient, demanding serious off-road driving chops and some seriously good tires. This isn't asphalt—it's a rocky, loose-gravel mess that was originally carved out as a service road for the ski station. The surface is sketchy at best, especially higher up where everything becomes even more treacherous. Your vehicle will work overtime: the steep climbs punish your cooling system, while the descent demands constant engine braking to keep your brakes from overheating on that massive 1,244-meter drop. Mother Nature adds her own challenges here. Expect relentless winds year-round, and even in August, surprise snowfalls and bone-chilling cold can catch you off guard. The track only opens for a narrow window during summer—typically late August—making this a truly seasonal expedition. At the summit awaits the historic Wildkogelhaus, a beautifully preserved mountain refuge dating back to 1898. But reaching it? That's only for drivers with serious Alpine credentials and unwavering determination.