Larche Pass is an awe-inspiring drive in the Alps with 16 hairpin turns
France, europe
12.3 km
2,005 m
hard
Year-round
Col de Larche-Colle della Maddalena is this stunning international alpine pass sitting at 2,005 meters (6,578 feet) right on the Italy-France border. It connects the Stura valley in Italy with the Ubaye valley in France, nestled between the Cottian Alps and Maritime Alps in a seriously gorgeous mountain setting.
The route is fully paved and runs about 12.3 kilometers from Val-d'Oronaye in France to Argentera in Italy. On the Italian side, you'll be cruising Strada Statale 21 (Colle della Maddalena), while the French side goes by D900 (Col de Larche). The pass is open year-round unless heavy snow decides to close the party—thankfully a rare occurrence.
Now, here's where it gets interesting: the drive has 16 wickedly sharp hairpin turns that'll keep you engaged, but the gradient never gets too steep—maxing out around 8%. It's technically a pretty manageable climb, though definitely one that commands respect. Heads up if you're planning to cycle the French side from Les Gleizolles up to the pass—it's officially off-limits because of rockfall and landslide hazards, so stick to the road.
At the summit, you'll find a souvenir shop and a spacious parking lot perfect for stretching your legs and soaking in the views. There's also a cool statue honoring legendary cyclist Fausto Coppi's iconic 1949 Giro victory. Definitely worth a stop if you're into cycling history!
Where is it?
Larche Pass is an awe-inspiring drive in the Alps with 16 hairpin turns is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.2337, 1.9801
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 12.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,005 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.2337, 1.9801
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Pas de la Confession?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France, and you stumble upon the legendary Pas de la Confession. This mountain pass, sitting pretty at a lofty elevation, got its name for a reason. Back in the day, it was so treacherous that travelers were encouraged to confess their sins before braving it! You'll find this fully paved beauty (D211B) clinging to the mountainside way, way above the valley – hence its nickname, the "balcony road." Buses are a no-go, and rockfalls are a real threat. This route isn't for the faint of heart; a single slip-up could be disastrous with those sheer drops. Is it worth it? That depends. You’ll need laser focus behind the wheel, making it tough to soak in the views. But if you can steal a glance at the few viewpoints along the way, prepare to be wowed. Perched high above the valley, the scenery is nothing short of spectacular. The whole experience clocks in at just under 4 kilometers. Until 1980, this was the *only* way into Villard-Reymond, before it was finally connected to Le Bourg-d'Oisans. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
hardWhere is Signal de Botrange?
🌍 Belgium
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Hautes Fagnes region of the Ardennes in Liège, heading towards Belgium's rooftop, Signal de Botrange! At 694 meters (that's 2,277 ft!), it's the highest point in the whole country! You'll find this gem nestled in eastern Belgium, super close to the German border, chilling in the Hautes Fagnes-Eifel Nature Park. What's the big deal? Well, besides bragging rights, you've got a parking lot, a weather station, and the Baltia Tower – a cool stone structure built way back in 1923 to boost the summit above 700 meters. Expect cooler temps up here, too. The route? It's a smooth 18 km (11.18 miles) paved ride, starting from Eupen, mostly along the N676-N68. Get ready for some sweet views and a fun little road trip to the top of Belgium!
hardBaros Pass is an absolute must for road lovers in Greece
🇬🇷 Greece
# Baros Pass: A Wild Ride Through Greece's Mountain Heartland Ready for an adrenaline rush? Baros Pass (also called Mparos Pass) sits at a seriously impressive 1,898m (6,227ft) above sea level and claims bragging rights as one of Greece's highest mountain roads. This 24.4 km (15.16 miles) stretch connects Matsouki in the Ioannina region to Anthousa in western Trikala, cutting straight through the heart of the Pindos Mountains. The scenery? Absolutely jaw-dropping. Picture yourself winding through dramatic canyons, towering steep slopes, and thick forests that'll make you forget you're on a main road. It's the kind of drive that makes you understand why this route has been a major transit corridor for literally centuries—even serving as the Greek-Turkish border until 1912. But here's where things get spicy. This isn't your Sunday cruise. The road throws everything at you: hairpin turns that demand serious respect, sections without guardrails, and gradients hitting a brutal 18% in places. Narrow passages with dizzying drop-offs will keep your knuckles white on the steering wheel. The asphalt itself is relatively new—the whole route was finally fully paved in 2013—but that doesn't make it any less challenging. Winter drivers, take note: from October through May, snow makes this pass practically impassable. Even in good weather, you've got to watch for rockfall cascading down from those steep slopes above. This isn't a road for the faint of heart, but if you're after an unforgettable mountain experience, Baros Pass delivers.
moderateA winding paved road to Portella Femmina Morta
🇮🇹 Italy
# Portella Femmina Morta: Sicily's Mountain Pass Adventure Tucked away in the heart of Sicily's northern Nebrodi Mountains, Portella Femmina Morta sits pretty at 1,535m (5,036ft) and makes for an absolutely epic road trip destination. This is the real deal for anyone craving some serious elevation gain and stunning mountain scenery. The main route here is Strada Statale 289 (SS289), a fully paved 26.4 km (16.40 miles) ribbon of asphalt that snakes north-south between San Fratello and Fattoria Cazzipoli. Fair warning though – this road doesn't mess around. You'll encounter some seriously steep sections that climb up to 13.3%, so it's definitely one for experienced drivers who love a good challenge. The road's credentials are legit; it's even been featured in the legendary Giro d'Italia race. Once you reach the summit, there's a small parking lot where you can catch your breath and soak in the views. If you're not quite done with the climbing, here's the bonus: head east on a minor paved road toward Monte Soro (1,848m/6,062ft) for even more elevation and panoramic rewards. Everything sits within the stunning Parco Naturale Regionale dei Nebrodi, so you're getting world-class scenery along with your adrenaline rush. This is mountain driving at its finest – challenging, scenic, and absolutely unforgettable.