How to drive to the summit of Col d’Eylac in Cantal
France, europe
32 km
1,442 m
moderate
Year-round
# Col d'Eylac
If you're craving a proper mountain adventure in France, Col d'Eylac is calling your name. Perched at 1,442 meters (4,730 ft) in the Cantal department of south-central France, this pass sits proudly within the stunning Massif Central range.
The 32-kilometer (20-mile) D680 road winds its way from Salers to Dienne, offering a fully paved but seriously challenging drive. Don't let that "fully paved" part fool you though—this route means business. Expect tight hairpin turns and steep sections that'll keep your hands firmly on the wheel, with gradients hitting a punchy 15% in places. It's the kind of road that demands respect and rewards you with incredible mountain scenery.
Reaching the summit feels like an accomplishment (and it should). There's a welcoming little bar and parking area up top—perfect for catching your breath and soaking in the views.
The pass has earned its stripes as a Tour de France climb, so you'll be following in the tire tracks of cycling legends. While the road typically stays open year-round, winter can throw curveballs with occasional closures, so check conditions before heading out during colder months.
This is proper mountain driving through one of France's most dramatic landscapes. Thrilling, demanding, and absolutely worth the drive.
Where is it?
How to drive to the summit of Col d’Eylac in Cantal is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.7669, 2.7136
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 32 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,442 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 45.7669, 2.7136
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Monte Corrasi?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up! We're heading to Monte Corrasi, a seriously wild mountain peak way up in Sardinia, Italy. Forget the beaches for a day because this is a whole other level of Mediterranean magic. Picture this: you're in Nuoro province, right inside the Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu. The summit? It's like another planet! Windswept and raw, with crazy rock formations—think caves, gullies, and these wild, pointy rock towers. And the views? Unreal! You're looking straight down into the valley far below. Now, about the drive up... it's called Strada del Monte Corrasi, and it's an experience. We're talking unpaved all the way, super narrow, and crazy steep. Imagine 25 hairpin turns snaking up through the forest. Seriously, you'll want a vehicle with some decent clearance for this one. You can't quite drive *all* the way to the very top (the road's blocked near the summit), but you can get pretty darn close. The fun starts from Strada Provinciale 22 (SP-22), and it's about 6.2 km (almost 4 miles) to the parking spot. Don't let the short distance fool you; you climb 751 meters, so the average incline is over 12%! Get ready for a climb, and views that will stay with you long after you've come down.
hardMoucherotte
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got the inside scoop on an insane climb in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France: Moucherotte! This beast of a peak tops out at 1,863 meters (6,112 feet), and the road to the summit is pure, unadulterated gravel. Heads up, it's usually snowed in from October to June, weather depending. Here’s the backstory: there used to be this super swanky hotel, Le Ermitage, built in '59, complete with a cable car straight from Grenoble. It was THE place to be, attracting the jet set, even Brigitte Bardot! There was also a 90-meter ski jump built for the 1968 Grenoble Olympics. Sadly, the good times didn't last, and the hotel and lift were abandoned, falling into disrepair. The hotel and summit even played a role in Brigitte Bardot's movie "La Bride sur le cou" ("The Bride of the neck"). The ruins of the hotel were finally demolished along with the cable car station in the summer of 2001. Now, about that climb… It's only 4.3 kilometers from Saint Nizier du Moucherotte, but pack your courage! You'll gain a whopping 698 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 16.23% – seriously steep! But trust me, the views are SO worth it. You’re smack-dab in the Vercors Natural Regional Park. The Moucherotte is the most northerly summit of the Vercors massif, which means panoramic vistas galore. There are official viewpoints, but honestly, you'll want to pull over everywhere. From the top, you can see the French Alps (including Mont Blanc!), Grenoble, and the Chartreuse massif. To the west lies the Four Mountain region of the Vercors. And if you look south, you'll spot peaks like Pic Saint Michel, Grand Moucherolle and Mont Aiguille. Get your cameras ready, because the Moucherotte summit is a photographer's dream!
extremeThe road to Camiboğazı Yaylası is for experienced drivers only
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Cami Boğazı Yaylası – a wild ride through the East Black Sea region of Turkey, straddling Gümüşhane and Trabzon! Forget smooth asphalt, this 60km (37-mile) route from Yağlıdere to Çamlıyurt is a bone-jarring, teeth-rattling, unpaved beast. Think rocks, ruts, and seriously sketchy washouts, especially near the edges. This isn't your Sunday drive; it's a 4x4-only expedition for seasoned drivers. We're talking nail-biting steep drops where one wrong move could send you tumbling 200 meters down. If you dare to tackle it, budget 2.5 to 4 hours (without stops!). You'll climb high into the Kalkanlı Mountains, reaching a dizzying 2,468m (8,097ft). Pro tip: This road is usually snowed in from late October to late June/early July, so plan accordingly. And even when it's "open," expect fog and chilly temps. Despite being relatively close to civilization, Cami Boğazı Yaylası feels incredibly remote. It's a true test of your driving skills, but the stunning mountain views are your reward!
moderateRiksvegen Old Road is a unique piece of engineering along Eidfjord Lake
🇳🇴 Norway
# Riksvegen Old Road: A Hidden Gem in Norway's Fjord Country Nestled in Vestland county's Eidfjord municipality, the Riksvegen Old Road is a nostalgic slice of Norwegian engineering history that's perfect for those who prefer a slower pace. This charming 2.3 km (1.42 miles) stretch hugs the western shore of Eidfjordvatnet, treating you to absolutely stunning lake views at every turn. Here's the cool part: this road is now exclusively for bicycles and pedestrians—no cars allowed. Back in the day, it was the main route, complete with a tunnel that King Oscar II himself opened. You can still spot that historic tunnel today, a testament to the road's bygone era as a motorway. The entire route is paved and manageable, making it ideal for a leisurely bike ride or scenic walk. That said, keep your eyes peeled for the occasional rockslide, which is a real hazard in this mountainous region. It's a small price to pay for the experience, honestly. So what happened to all the traffic? In stepped the Eidfjordtunnelen, a modern tunnel that's part of Norway's National Road 7 (Rv7). The new route is wider, faster, and comes loaded with multiple tunnels—perfect for those in a hurry. But if you're anything like us, you'll skip the highway and stick to this beautifully preserved old road for an authentic Norwegian adventure.