Col des Rochilles

Col des Rochilles

France, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,496 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Col des Rochilles is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.496m (8,188ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

The road to the summit is gravel. It’s an old military road. It’s very narrow, pretty steep and closed in winters. After rain, sections of road can become decidedly hazardous when fast-flowing creek crossings and slippery mud can cause road closures. 4x4 track with experienced driver.

The road was built between 1902 and 1907. Near the summit there’s a military fortress called Ouvrage Les Rochilles, a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension.

http://blog-randos.eklablog.com/topo-col-des-rochilles-2496m-lac-de-la-claree-2433m-a112598880

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.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,496 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Where is Bocca di Vizzavona located?moderate

Where is Bocca di Vizzavona located?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Corsica, France, headed for Bocca di Vizzavona, a mountain pass chilling at 1,163m (3,815ft). This is the main squeeze connecting Ajaccio and Bastia, so you know it's gonna be a good ride. Nestled south of Monte d'Oro, right on the border between Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud, this spot is smack-dab in the Regional Natural Park of Corsica. At the top, there's a huge parking area, which also happens to be the starting point for the legendary GR20 hiking trail. The road itself is part of the T20, a fully paved road that's seen some upgrades to handle all the traffic. But don't think it's lost its wild side! Expect a proper mountain road with heaps of hairpin turns, especially heading down towards Bocognano. Speaking of which, this pass is about 20 km (12.4 miles) from Vivario to Bocognano, running north-south. It gets steep, hitting a max gradient of 12% in places. It's such a challenging climb that the Tour de France even tackled it back in 2013! Word on the street is that climbing from Bocognano in the south is tougher than coming from Vivario in the north. Since it's the island's main road, they keep it clear all year round. But heads-up: Bocca di Vizzavona is usually the first to get hit by snow. From November to March, you'll probably need winter tires or chains. And be ready to share the road with plenty of trucks, as it's the main route for commercial traffic between Corsica's two biggest cities.

A journey on the legendary Col de Tende-Colle di Tendahard

A journey on the legendary Col de Tende-Colle di Tenda

🇮🇹 Italy

# Col de Tende (Colle di Tenda): A Hairpin Heaven in the Alps If you're a sucker for switchbacks, buckle up—this mountain pass is basically heaven on four wheels. Located at 1,876m (6,154ft) where France and Italy shake hands, Col de Tende is genuinely one of the most hairpinned roads on the planet. We're talking 48 glorious turns that'll keep your steering wheel warm. Sitting between the Maritime Alps and the Ligurian Alps, this is the southernmost of the great Alpine passes, straddling the French Alpes-Maritimes and Italy's Piedmont region. The road itself is a blast from the past—literally an old military route, mostly paved with a gravel section near the top. The 7.5 km (4.66 miles) climb gains 603m with an average gradient of 8.04% (though it hits a gnarly 17% in places), and you're looking at 30-40 minutes of focused driving to reach the summit. Here's the kicker: this isn't just any road. Legend has it the Phoenicians laid it down centuries ago, followed by Greeks, Romans, and everyone in between. The entire ridgeline is studded with 19th-century Italian fortifications and ruins guarding the old border—it's like exploring a historical museum without the entrance fee. Fair warning though: winter makes this pass completely impassable, and there are some current complications. A 2017 landslide caused issues (mostly cleared now), but the adjacent tunnel—built way back in 1882 as the first major Alpine tunnel at 3,182m long—now requires one-way traffic with a light system changing every 15 minutes. Construction on a second tunnel is underway, which might mean dead ends and construction barriers, especially on the French side. Your best bet? Check conditions before you go, and be prepared for potential detours through the tunnel.

1. The Lake District: A Masterclass in Gradientextreme

1. The Lake District: A Masterclass in Gradient

🇬🇧 England

Okay, buckle up for some seriously scenic drives across the UK! **Lake District (Cumbria): Gradient Glory** The Lake District? Think beyond Wordsworth! It's a playground for drivers who love a challenge. Kirkstone Pass is a warm-up for the real deal: Hardknott and Wrynose passes. We're talking insane 33% gradients! The views of shimmering lakes and dramatic valleys are epic, but keep your eyes on the road. These hairpin turns are narrow, walled with stone, and demand your full attention. Gear selection is everything here. **Beachy Head (East Sussex): Edge-of-Your-Seat Coastal Views** Hold on tight! Beachy Head rises a whopping 162 meters above the English Channel, offering some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in Europe. The roads leading to that iconic lighthouse are all about high ridges and sudden dips. Those white cliffs are famous, but so are the treacherous conditions. Coastal mists roll in fast, making things dicey. Stay sharp and keep a safe distance from the edge! **Castle Combe & the Cotswold B-Roads: Medieval Maze** Picture this: the "most beautiful village in England." That's Castle Combe! But driving here is a trip back in time—literally. The village hasn't changed much since the 15th century, so the roads are delightfully narrow and twisty, hemmed in by ancient buildings. To get here, cruise along the B4632 through the Cotswolds. It's a former A-road that gives you sweeping turns, amazing views of the Vale of Evesham, and then BAM! You're plunged into those tight, limestone lanes. **Bath: Georgian Grandeur** Bath is like stepping into a perfectly symmetrical painting—a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its Georgian architecture. Navigating this urban masterpiece, with spots like the Royal Crescent, requires some serious concentration. Pedestrians are everywhere, and the one-way systems can be tricky. But before you hit the city, take the Avon Valley route for a scenic transition from the Somerset countryside to the heart of this stunning city. **Portmeirion: Welsh Wonder** Okay, technically in Wales, not England, but too cool to leave out! Portmeirion is this surreal, Italianate village plunked down on the coast of North Wales. It's your gateway to the Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park. The roads leading in are narrow and hug the coast, eventually morphing into the wild, high-intensity mountain loops of North Wales. One minute you're in Mediterranean gardens, the next you're surrounded by rugged peaks!

Road R319 Travels by Hairpins to the Edge of the Seahard

Road R319 Travels by Hairpins to the Edge of the Sea

🌍 Ireland

Okay, picture this: You're on Achill Island, just off the coast of County Mayo in Ireland, ready for one of the world's best coastal drives! This is the R319, a total gem winding along the wild Atlantic shore. This road clocks in at about 35 km, and get ready for some serious views! We're talking dramatic cliffs and the vast expanse of the ocean. The road's paved, but keep your eyes peeled – it can get busy with other drivers, walkers, and the occasional wandering sheep. Expect some narrow sections and a few bridges to keep things interesting. It gets progressively tighter and twistier as you head towards the western edge of the island, eventually ending at a big parking area in Toorglass West. Basically, you'll be cruising from Mallaranny – that cute seaside village connecting Clew Bay and Blacksod Bay – all the way west. Trust me, this drive is pure magic!