Col de Riondet
France, europe
N/A
2,409 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Col de Riondet, perched way up in the French Alps at nearly 8,000 feet! You'll find it nestled in the Vanoise National Park, part of the stunning Massif de la Vanoise range.
Now, heads up: this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road's gravel, rocky, and can get pretty bumpy. We're talking a proper 4x4 job here. It's usually closed from October to May due to snow, and even when it's open, you'll want some experience with unpaved mountain roads. It can be steep, and rain turns the road muddy! Definitely not for the faint of heart (or those scared of heights!).
But, oh, the views! From the top, you're rewarded with panoramic vistas, including glimpses of the Col de la Madeleine's hairpin turns way down below. Trust me, if you're up for the challenge, the scenery is absolutely worth it.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,409 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateNufenen Pass
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Nufenen Pass: Switzerland's Secret Alpine Gem Want to discover Switzerland's highest road pass without fighting crowds of tourists? The Nufenen Pass (Passo della Novena) might be exactly what you're looking for. Sitting at a breath-taking 2,478 meters, this 37-kilometer route connects the charming German-speaking village of Ulrichen in upper Valais with Airolo in Italian-speaking Ticino, dramatically crossing the watershed between the Rhone and Po river basins. Here's what makes it special: the drive itself is a study in contrasts. You'll start climbing through the Goms valley, watching the vegetation get sparser and sparser until you reach the barren, windswept summit—a genuinely wild place marked by a small mountain lake. Then comes the fun part: the descent into the Bedretto Valley is longer, twistier, and packed with tighter hairpin turns that'll keep you engaged the whole way down. The cultural shift is just as dramatic as the landscape, moving from German-speaking Switzerland into Italian-influenced Ticino. One quirk worth knowing: this pass didn't get its paved surface until 1969, making it one of Switzerland's latest-developed major alpine crossings. That alpine altitude comes with trade-offs though—it's typically only open from mid-June to mid-October, and yes, snow can surprise you even in summer months. Just another reason to respect the mountains and check conditions before heading up.
hardBüyükejder Tepesi: this road is not for timid drivers
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I've just conquered Büyükejder Tepesi, and you NEED to add this to your bucket list. We're talking a staggering 3,155 meters (10,351 feet) high in the Palandöken Mountains of eastern Turkey's Erzurum province. Forget pavement; this "road" is a wild, unpaved chairlift access trail that'll rattle your bones. Seriously, this isn't for the faint of heart. The slopes are crazy steep, covered in loose rocks that get even gnarlier as you climb. You've got a tiny window of opportunity to tackle this, maybe late August, if you're lucky. The wind is relentless, so be prepared to battle some serious gusts. And don't be surprised if you encounter snow, even in summer! The views from the top are unreal. Plus, there's a communication tower and a little cafe to reward your efforts. Just a heads up: this ski-station service road features sections hitting a brutal 30% incline. So, yeah, courage is definitely required to reach the top of Gök Dağ. Buckle up for a bumpy, unforgettable ride!
moderateHow To Travel The Road F249 (Þórsmerkurvegur)
🇮🇸 Iceland
The infamous Þórsmerkurvegur (F249 Road) is a very exciting and challenging drive located in the Southern Region of Iceland. There are a lot of river crossings on the road. It’s one of the famous F Roads of the country. The road is 31.9 km (19.82 miles) long, running from the Ring Road to Þórsmörk Nature Reserve. The road is better to be avoided if you don’t have a proper car, enough experience, and perfect knowledge of river crossing rules. The road starts off as paved (249) and then switches to gravel (F249). It is a rough and challenging road. It's essential to have a reliable 4-wheel-drive vehicle with significant ground clearance to navigate the challenging terrains and river crossings of F249. There are some streams, creeks, and rivers you need to cross to get to Þórsmörk Nature Reserve. For those looking to explore Iceland with a rental car, ensure you choose a vehicle suitable for F-roads to guarantee a safe journey. The final river crossing (Krossá river) is probably the biggest river crossing you may encounter on marked F-roads in Iceland. Crossing the river requires a large and a specially modified 4×4 vehicle and plenty of experience. This river can be very deep, and it also has loose gravel underneath, providing a very unstable path for vehicles. The river can be different from day to day, so there is no one way to cross it. It needs great experience with Icelandic mountain roads and a vehicle that is fit for these conditions to drive over this river. Even with a super-jeep, it’s not guaranteed you’re gonna pass. The road is only open during the summer months, usually between late June and early September. Avoid committing your vehicle to what is in front of you until you are sure of what you are getting into because things could get worse. Crossing big rivers requires a bit of experience. You will have to cross 15-20 rivers. Only well-equipped jeeps and larger vehicles are able to cross the rivers. These rivers can be dangerous. Always check the river to ensure that it's not too deep. Car rental vehicles are forbidden to go on the road. Tucked away in the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve, the moon-like road is very scenic with towering glaciers and volcanoes all around. It’s a popular tourist destination in the southern Icelandic highlands. There is absolutely so much to see on your way there that you can spend a whole day on this road. Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map 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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardWhat’s the highest paved road of the Pyrenees?
🌍 Andorra
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Port d'Envalira! This beauty sits way up high in Andorra's Encamp parish, topping out at a cool 2,408 meters (that's 7,900 feet!). Think you've seen high roads? This might just be the highest *paved* one in the Pyrenees! The route, known as CG-2, stretches for 32.1 km (almost 20 miles) from Les Escaldes to El Pas de la Casa, practically kissing the French border. Heads up: in 2002, a tunnel (2,879 meters long) was built to bypass the trickiest section. This tunnel is said to be the highest in the Pyrenees! You can usually cruise this pass year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter – things can get dicey and lead to closures. Speaking of dicey, this climb is no joke. It's been part of the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, so expect some steep sections, with gradients hitting 11.1% in places! Oh, and did I mention the 15 hairpin turns? Budget around 45-60 minutes to drive the whole thing without stops. But trust me, you'll *want* to stop. The views are incredible! So plan some extra time to soak it all in. If you're looking for high adventure in Andorra, this is your road!