Col du Souchet

Col du Souchet

France, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,365 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

# Col du Souchet

Ready for a serious mountain bike adventure? Col du Souchet sits at a impressive 2,365 meters (7,759 feet) in the Hautes-Alpes region of southeastern France, and it's strictly a gravel road experience. This isn't a place for your regular car – you'll need two wheels and serious mountain biking skills to tackle it.

Winter? Forget about it. This pass becomes completely impassable once the snow starts falling, so you're looking at a summer-only destination. The trail itself is absolutely stunning, but it demands respect. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, this isn't your route. But if you're an experienced mountain biker with solid technical skills? You're in for an unforgettable ride through some seriously gorgeous Alpine terrain.

Where is it?

Col du Souchet is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 44.2583, 2.3184

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,365 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
44.2583, 2.3184

Related Roads in europe

Transfagarasan: From a Bloody History to One of the Best Highways in the Worldmoderate

Transfagarasan: From a Bloody History to One of the Best Highways in the World

🇷🇴 Romania

Romania's Transfagarasan Highway! This road is a wild ride through the heart of the country, snaking through the majestic Fagaras Mountains. Think of it as a roughly 90-kilometer (56-mile) thrill, where you'll probably average around 40 km/h (25 mph) because you'll be too busy gawking at the scenery. Picture this: stunning peaks, dramatic valleys, and hairpin turns galore as you traverse between Romania's tallest mountains, Moldoveanu and Negoiu. Built in the early 70s, it was meant as a strategic military route, so expect some serious engineering! Keep your eyes peeled, though – this road has some serious elevation changes and tight curves, so stay sharp. It's usually open from late spring to early autumn, so plan accordingly. Get ready for an unforgettable driving experience, surrounded by some of the most breathtaking views in Eastern Europe!

Lenzerheide Passmoderate

Lenzerheide Pass

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Lenzerheidepass: A Swiss Alpine Adventure Tucked away in Graubünden, Switzerland, the Lenzerheidepass sits pretty at 1,547 meters (5,075 feet) above sea level. This asphalt road, known locally as the Hauptstrasse, serves as the main artery connecting Chur in the Rhine Valley with Tiefencastel in the Albula Valley—and it's definitely not your typical Sunday drive. Fair warning: this pass has earned its reputation for being seriously unpredictable. Sudden snowstorms and whiteout conditions can materialize out of nowhere, so it demands respect and preparation. You'll want winter tires in your arsenal, especially between December and March, though technically the road stays open year-round. Depending on which direction you're coming from, you've got two distinct routes to the summit. **From Chur**, you're looking at a 17.6 km climb with a punchy 952 meters of elevation gain. The average grade hangs around 5.4%, though you'll hit some steeper sections pushing up to 11%. **From Tiefencastel**, it's a slightly shorter 14 km ascent with 713 meters of elevation gain and an average gradient of 5.1%—a bit more forgiving, but still serious business. The scenery? Absolutely worth the effort. Just come prepared, respect the weather, and you'll have an unforgettable Swiss Alpine experience.

Tsouka Petsikhard

Tsouka Petsik

🇬🇷 Greece

# Tsouka Petsik: Greece's Wild Mountain Adventure Ready for some serious peak-bagging? Tsouka Petsik is calling—a stunning 1,990m (6,528ft) mountain perched right on the Greece-Albania border in the Gramos range, deep in Epirus's Ioannina region. This is legitimately one of the highest drivable roads you'll find in Greece, and it's absolutely not for the faint of heart. Here's the real talk: the road up is all gravel and rocky terrain that gets genuinely sketchy in spots. Bumpy, tippy, and relentlessly steep—you'll want serious mountain driving skills and honestly, a 4x4 is basically essential here. Winter? Fuggedaboutit. The road becomes completely impassable once the snow rolls in, so timing your visit is crucial. But if you're up for the challenge, the payoff is massive. You're trading smooth asphalt for raw, untamed nature and views that'll blow your mind. Just make sure unpaved mountain roads are actually your thing before you commit to this one. This isn't a casual Sunday drive—it's a full-on mountain adventure that rewards the brave and capable.

Where is Rifugio Piccolo Pirovano?hard

Where is Rifugio Piccolo Pirovano?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, picture this: you're in the Italian Alps, Sondrio province, practically spitting distance from Switzerland. You're aiming for Rifugio Piccolo Pirovano, a crazy-high mountain hut perched at a whopping 3,018 meters (almost 10,000 feet!). This isn't your average Sunday drive. The road? Forget pavement. We're talking gravel, and not always the smooth kind. Think short, gnarly sections that'll test your mettle. First, you've gotta conquer the Passo delle Platigliole. Right from the get-go, it's steep, like "holy moly" steep. The road throws everything at you: flat stretches followed by brutally steep sections that'll have you questioning your life choices. Speaking of steep, the final 2.2 kilometers (a little over a mile) climb 253 meters, averaging a gut-busting 11.5% grade. And hold onto your hat, because it kicks up to a max gradient of 22% in spots. Heads up: this road's a no-go zone for much of the year. Usually, it's buried in snow from late October until late June or early July. Mother Nature calls the shots. But when it's open? You're rewarded with killer views, especially of the Stelvio Pass in the distance. Plus, there are a couple of hotels nearby (Hotel Baita Ortler and Hotel Thöni 3000) to collapse in after your adventure. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!