Col de Gembre

Col de Gembre

France, europe

Length

14 km

Elevation

1.6 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Col de Gembre in the Hautes-Pyrénées, France, is calling your name. This high mountain pass tops out at a cool 1,635m (5,364ft) – are you ready for those views?

The road starts out smooth in Nistos, a cute little mountain town. Cruise along for 14km on asphalt until you hit the Nistos ski resort, sitting pretty at 1,600m. But that's where the real fun begins! The pavement ends, and the road turns to gravel for the final push to the summit.

Word of warning, though: this gravel road is steep and narrow. But don't let that scare you away – it's all part of the experience! Get ready for some seriously epic scenery. Plus, you'll be driving along Route de Thiéry, a balcony road with views for days as you head towards Col de la Madone. What are you waiting for? Time to add this one to your bucket list!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
14 km
Max Elevation
1.6 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Palombino Passhard

Palombino Pass

🇮🇹 Italy

# Passo Palombino Nestled in the stunning Carnic Alps of Italy, Passo Palombino sits at a breathtaking 2,035 meters (6,676 feet) above sea level. This mountain pass offers an exhilarating drive that'll get your adrenaline pumping—but fair warning, it's not for the faint of heart! The journey up follows Strada Val Digon, which is mostly paved and relatively straightforward... until those final two kilometers. That's where things get real. The last stretch turns into a gravel nightmare—narrow, steep, and scattered with loose rocks that'll test your nerves and your vehicle's grip. You'll definitely want to take it slow and steady on this technical finish, but the payoff? Absolutely worth it. The Carnic Alps deliver serious alpine scenery that'll make every white-knuckle moment of that final push completely worthwhile.

25 Hairpin Turns on the Road from Charakopi to Kedrosextreme

25 Hairpin Turns on the Road from Charakopi to Kedros

🇬🇷 Greece

# The Charakopi to Kedros Drive: Not for the Faint of Heart Ready for one of Greece's most thrilling (and infamous) mountain drives? The route from Charakopi to Kedros in Epirus's Ioannina region is absolutely stunning—but fair warning: if your travel buddies get queasy on winding roads, maybe skip this one. This nearly 10 km (6 miles) adventure takes you deep into the Athamanika mountains, right through the heart of the National Park of Tzoumerka, Peristeri and Arachthos Gorge. The scenery is genuinely breathtaking, but so is the reputation this road has earned. What makes it so intense? Picture this: over 25 hairpin turns packed into that short distance, sheer drop-offs hugging virtually the entire route, and a surface that's paved but narrow in spots. The real challenge kicks in after you cross the Arachthos Potamos river at around 369 meters elevation. From there, you're climbing 6.6 km with 487 meters of elevation gain—averaging a steep 7.37% gradient with sections hitting 10%. Honestly? You'll need solid driving skills and experience to handle this one. Save it for daylight hours and good weather—the sharp bends and steep grades become downright dangerous when visibility drops or conditions deteriorate. And here's the sobering truth: this road has claimed lives. Respect it. Landslides can also shut it down without warning, so check conditions before you go. This is the kind of drive that'll get your adrenaline pumping and give you stories for years.

An Explorer's Guide to Col de la Baillettahard

An Explorer's Guide to Col de la Bailletta

🇫🇷 France

# Col de la Bailletta: A High-Alpine Adventure Ready for an epic mountain experience? Head to the Savoie department in southeastern France, where Col de la Bailletta sits pretty at 2,852m (9,356ft) above sea level—tucked within the stunning Bailletaz Nature Reserve in the Rhône-Alpes region. This 9.4 km (5.84 miles) route starts near Lac du Chevril, just below Val d'Isère in the Tarentaise Valley, and it's got serious elevation gain. The first stretch is actually paved, climbing all the way up to Lac/Barrage du Saut—one of France's highest paved roads, which is pretty cool if you ask us. Below the reservoir on the way to Lac de la Sassière, things get real as the pavement gives way to gravel. What you're driving on is essentially an old military road that winds its way up the mountain, and it's genuinely wide for the most part. But here's where it gets wild: around 2,700 metres near Lac Santel, the road basically vanishes (thanks, landslides) and transforms into a hiking trail. From that point on? You're on foot, my friend. Vehicles simply can't make it. The scenery? Absolutely incredible. The views surrounding you at every turn make this one unforgettable adventure—especially knowing you're tackling one of the country's highest alpine passes.

Where is Col de Finiels?hard

Where is Col de Finiels?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: the Col de Finiels, perched way up in the Lozère département of France at a cool 1,541m (5,055ft) above sea level! You'll find it nestled in the southern part of the country, with a handy parking lot waiting at the summit. The road, known as the D20, is a fully paved beauty that stretches for 21.7 km (13.48 miles) between Le Bleymard and Pont-de-Montvert-Sud-Mont-Lozère. Heads up though, it's got some seriously steep sections! If you're coming from Le Bleymard, get ready for a 10.4 km climb, gaining 472 meters at an average of 4.5%. Starting from Le Pont de Montvert? Buckle up for an 11.6 km ascent, with a whopping 666 meters of elevation gain at a slightly steeper average of 5.7%. Trust me, the views are SO worth it!