
Les 12 lacets de Ceillac: a breathtaking road with 12 challenging hairpins
France, europe
8.2 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
# Les 12 Lacets de Ceillac: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure
Tucked away in the Hautes-Alpes region of southeastern France, the D60 road winds its way up to the charming village of Ceillac—and let me tell you, this isn't your typical scenic drive. The route is famous for its 12 hairpin turns that'll keep your hands firmly gripped on the steering wheel.
The 8.2km stretch is paved, though you'll encounter some pretty tight sections that demand respect and careful driving. The climb is genuinely steep, gaining 589 meters with an average gradient of 7.18%—and trust me, there are sections pushing 10% that'll make your heart skip a beat.
Here's the real talk: skip this road during winter or bad weather. Avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are genuine hazards here, and the patches of ice scattered throughout can turn a thrilling drive into a nightmare in seconds. Timing is everything on this one.
But if you catch it on a clear day? The dramatic Alpine scenery combined with those perfectly engineered hairpins make it an unforgettable experience for anyone who loves mountain driving. Just respect the road, respect the weather, and you'll have an epic story to tell.
Where is it?
Les 12 lacets de Ceillac: a breathtaking road with 12 challenging hairpins is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.4683, 1.9825
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 8.2 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 46.4683, 1.9825
Related Roads in europe
moderateCan you drive up the Black Mountains?
🇬🇧 Wales
Black Mountain Road in Carmarthenshire, Wales? Oh, you HAVE to drive it! This legendary stretch of asphalt is a wild mix of twists, dips, and climbs that'll have you grinning from ear to ear. Nestled in the southwestern corner of Wales, snaking through the Black Mountains, the A4069 (that's its official name) is pure driving bliss. Think 23.81 km (14.8 miles) of paved perfection, running from Glanamman to Llangadog. Seriously, for a mountain road, it's surprisingly smooth, with those awesome sections of bends and straights where you can see for miles. Just keep an eye out for wandering sheep – they own the place! And a heads up, sneaky mobile speed cameras sometimes lurk disguised as horse boxes or trucks. Located in the western part of the Brecon Beacons National Park, there are some of the best corners here. Fast sections, tight corners, and views that'll make you weep with joy when you hit the hairpins. If you're in a low rider, watch out for bumps! And you'll top out at 495 m (1,624 ft) above sea level. It's no wonder it's called the best driving road in Wales! Those five most memorable miles you can drive in any country! Ever since Top Gear featured it back in 2011 (aka the 'Top Gear road’), it’s become a must-do for petrolheads. Car magazine test drivers are obsessed, but that means it can get busy, especially on weekends. Expect 35-45 minutes of pure driving heaven if you don't stop, but honestly, you'll want to. The scenery? Mind-blowing. Miles and miles of gorgeous countryside. Make use of the laybys to soak it all in. If you're a driving enthusiast, this road is worth every second!
moderateThe Ultimate Road Trip to Petrohan Pass in the Balkan Mountains
🌍 Bulgaria
Okay, so you're heading from Sofia to northwestern Bulgaria (or maybe even Romania)? Then Petrohan Pass is your ticket! This paved beauty, also known as Route 81, clocks in at about 41 kilometers (25 miles) and snakes its way up to a cool 1,407 meters (4,616 feet) in the Balkan Mountains. You'll find it nestled right on the border of Montana and Sofia provinces. Keep in mind, while it's usually open year-round, winter can throw a curveball with closures and restrictions. Oh, and word on the street is they might be building a tunnel and widening the road sometime soon. Apparently, this project would shorten the trip by a whopping 70 km! The scenery is pretty epic, so buckle up and enjoy the ride!
moderateWhere Is the Terskol Ice Base?
🌍 Russia
Okay, picture this: you're in southern Russia, near the Georgian border, surrounded by the stunning Caucasus Mountains. You're aiming for the abandoned Terskol Ice Base, a relic from 1938 perched way up high at 3,675m (that's over 12,000 feet!). This isn't your average Sunday drive. Starting in Terskol at 2,166m, you've got a rough and rugged 11.9 km ahead. Get ready for a serious climb – we're talking an average gradient of 12.68%, with some spots cranking up to 18%! That's an elevation gain of 1,509 meters! Forget pavement. This is an all-dirt, 4x4-only affair. And you can pretty much write off attempting this beast from September to July – it's impassable. Trust me, you'll want high clearance and some serious off-road experience. Even then, bring a buddy (or three) because losing the track is easy. Maybe even find a local guide – it's worth it. Along the way, you'll find memorials to WWII soldiers and abandoned buildings, with breathtaking waterfalls to keep you company. The views are incredible, but stay focused! This road is steep and unforgiving, but if you're up for the challenge, the bragging rights (and the photos) will be epic.
hardWhere is Cape Wrath Lighthouse?
🇬🇧 Scotland
Built by Robert Stevenson in 1828, Cape Wrath Lighthouse is located in the county of Sutherland within the Highland Region, in Scotland. Where is Cape Wrath Lighthouse? The lighthouse is situated on the most north-westerly tip of the Scottish mainland. It is the most north-westerly point in the mainland United Kingdom. When was Cape Wrath Lighthouse built? The lighthouse, a 20-metre (66 ft) tall white-washed tower built of granite, was constructed by Robert Stevenson in 1828 at 122 meters above mean sea level. Can you drive to Cape Wrath Lighthouse? The road to the lighthouse is very challenging. It’s a narrow, bumpy, windy road called Cape Wrath Road. It runs through one of Scotland's last great wildernesses. The road uses a series of rock causeways to cross peat bogs and revetments to maintain a route along steep slopes. Materials for the road were quarried locally, and there are a number of quarrying sites along it. A 4x4 vehicle is required. How long is the road to Cape Wrath Lighthouse? The road to the lighthouse, built in 1828 to support the lighthouse, is 11 miles (18 km) long, starting at Kyle of Durness. The rough road links the lighthouse with the Kyle of Durness, which is crossed by a passenger ferry service operating between May and September. It’s a challenging road crossing over narrow bridges. The road is marked with milestones and crosses the Allt na Guaille and Kearvaig River on contemporary arched bridges. How long does it take to drive to Cape Wrath Lighthouse? Located in one of the remotest places in the Scottish Highlands, driving the road without stopping will take most people between 35 and 50 minutes. Pic: Mieszko Szymański The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Wee Mad Road in the Scottish Highlands Travelling the General Wade’s Military Road from Inverness to Fort Augustus 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.