
Is Puerto de Onil paved?
Spain, europe
16 km
1,015 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the CV-803 in the Alicante province of Spain, headed for the Puerto de Canalís de Onil, also known as Port del Teulau or simply Puerto de Onil. This fully paved beauty sits at a cool 1,015 meters (3,330 feet) above sea level in the L'Alcoià region.
The 16-kilometer (almost 10 miles) stretch runs north to south, linking Banyeres de Mariola with Onil. Be warned, though, this isn't a gentle stroll! Some sections get seriously steep, hitting a maximum gradient of 14%. But trust me, the effort is worth it.
As you climb, you'll be treated to insane views of the Serra Mariola and Sierra de la Fontanello, plus a huge chunk of the Alicante region spreading out below. Get ready for some serious photo ops!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 16 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,015 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardTransursoaia is one of the Romanian high-altitude roads
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, road trip lovers, buckle up for Transursoaia (aka DN1R) in Romania! This beauty straddles Cluj and Alba counties and carves right through the Apuseni Natural Park in northern Romania. Picture this: mostly paved roads winding through stunning mountain scenery (though you might hit a gravel patch or two). Seriously, daytime drives are a MUST for those epic views. This isn't a Sunday cruise, though. Get ready for some steep climbs and no less than 15 hairpin turns! Plus, a few sections get a little *squeezy*, so keep your eyes peeled. The Transursoaia clocks in at around 80 km (50 miles), stretching from Albac in the south all the way up to Huedin in the north. And hold on to your hats, because you'll be climbing to a whopping 1,324 meters (4,343 feet) at the Ursoaia Pass! Just a heads-up: Mother Nature usually shuts this one down between November and April, so plan your trip accordingly!
hardThe military road to Monte Jafferau was built in 1886
🇮🇹 Italy
# Monte Jafferau: Italy's Wild Alpine Adventure Want to tackle one of Italy's most extreme mountain drives? Monte Jafferau sits at a jaw-dropping 2,805m (9,202ft) in the Piedmont region, right up near the French border in the Metropolitan City of Turin. This isn't just any peak—it's one of the highest roads you can actually drive in the entire country. The route, called Strada militare Fenil-Pramand-Föens-Jafferau (or Strada militare 79 if you prefer the shorthand), stretches 32.8 km (20.38 miles) of pure, unfiltered adventure. We're talking completely unpaved terrain running east-west from Eclause to Gleise. Seriously, this is 4x4 territory only—and even then, high clearance is absolutely essential. Fair warning: this drive demands serious mountain road experience. You're looking at constant 14% grades, a narrow 3-meter-wide ribbon of dirt, rocky sections that'll test your suspension, hairpin turns that'll make your head spin, tunnels carved into the mountainside, and rockfalls that pop up unexpectedly. More than 20 km of this route sits above 2,000 meters, so yeah, it's genuinely challenging. Nestled in the Massif des Cerces within the Cottian Alps, this historic 1886 military trail only opens late June or July through October—snow closes it the rest of the year. Bad weather? Don't even think about attempting it. The highlight waiting for you at the summit is Forte Jafferau, a military fortress built between 1896-1898 that held the title of Italy's highest military battery (and second-highest in the entire Alps). It protected the Bardonecchia basin during both world wars before being destroyed after WWII per peace treaty terms. This isn't a casual Sunday drive—it's an expedition.
hardCol de la Quillane
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Quillane Tucked away in the Pyrénées-Orientales of southern France, Col de la Quillane sits pretty at 1,714 meters (5,623 feet) above sea level. This is the real deal for mountain enthusiasts. The climb up via the D118 is all asphalt—no gravel surprises here—but don't let that fool you. You'll encounter some seriously steep pitches along the way, hitting grades up to 9.0%, which means your engine (and your legs, if you're cycling) will definitely feel the burn. The gradient is legit enough that the Tour de France has actually featured this pass during the race, so you know it's got some serious credentials. If you're planning a drive through this stretch of the French Pyrenees, expect a challenging but rewarding climb with some stunning alpine scenery. It's the kind of road that'll test your driving skills while rewarding you with incredible views. Perfect for anyone looking to tackle an authentic mountain pass experience.
hardDriving the 38 Hairpin Turns of the Steep Road D80 in Savoie
🇫🇷 France
# The D80: France's Ultimate Hairpin Challenge If you get queasy on winding roads, the D80 in France's Savoie department might just be your nightmare—or your ultimate adrenaline fix, depending on your perspective. Located south of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, this legendary route (also called the Route de Villargondran) ranks among the world's most relentless hairpin gauntlets. The fully paved but razor-thin road stretches just 10.7 km, yet it somehow packs in 38 hairpin turns that'll test your nerve and your steering. Starting at the sleepy village of Villargondran at 654 meters elevation, it climbs steadily toward Albiez-le-Jeune at 1,368 meters—a brutal 714-meter elevation gain that keeps the pressure on throughout. Expect average gradients of about 6.67%, with some stretches hitting a steep 10%. This is the kind of drive that separates the thrill-seekers from the cautious cruisers. The narrow ribbon of asphalt winds through gorgeous Alpine scenery, but you'll need serious focus to enjoy the views. It's technical, it's intense, and it's absolutely unforgettable. If you're confident in your driving skills and don't mind a white-knuckle adventure, the D80 delivers an experience you won't find on just any European road trip.