Pas de Chavanette

Pas de Chavanette

Switzerland, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,147 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Pas de Chavanette: A High-Alpine Adventure

Perched at 2,147 meters (7,043 feet) on the French-Swiss border, Pas de Chavanette sits dramatically above the Avoriaz ski slopes—a seriously impressive mountain pass that's not for the faint of heart.

Fair warning: this route is all gravel and rocky terrain that gets genuinely sketchy when conditions turn ugly. Winters? Forget about it—the pass becomes completely impassable. This is squarely in the realm of experienced off-roaders only. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous or heights give you the chills, do yourself a favor and skip this one.

The final 1-2 kilometers are absolutely brutal—steep as they come and slippery enough to keep your knuckles white on the steering wheel. Add rain into the mix and that muddy surface becomes a real test of skill and nerves. You'll need solid clearance and serious driving chops to tackle this beast, especially once you hit those final punishing grades.

Bottom line? This is a genuine mountain challenge that rewards capable drivers with an unforgettable high-altitude experience straddling two countries. Just make sure you know what you're getting into before you point your vehicle uphill.

Where is it?

Pas de Chavanette is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.9163, 8.2287

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Switzerland
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,147 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
46.9163, 8.2287

Related Roads in europe

Where is Manghen Pass?hard

Where is Manghen Pass?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, picture this: you're carving through the Italian Dolomites, in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, heading for Passo di Manghen. This mountain pass tops out at a cool 2,047 meters (6,716 feet), so buckle up! This route, Strada Provinciale 31 (SP-31), connects the Fiemme and Sugana valleys. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. For 39.1 kilometers (24.29 miles) from Borgo Valsugana to Cavalese, you're mostly on a narrow road that feels like a remote forestry track. The scenery is pure magic – dense woods give way to incredible views, but keep your eyes peeled! The road gets seriously narrow in sections with tight hairpin turns. Gradients hit a maximum of 16% in some spots. The pavement is generally great, but watch out for those slippery larch needles in the forested stretches. Commercial vehicles aren't allowed, so it's mostly just you and the open road (and maybe a few brave cyclists reliving the Giro d'Italia!). And once you reach the summit, treat yourself to a pit stop at Rifugio Passo Manghen. You've earned it!

A Wild Military Road to Forte del Gran Serinmoderate

A Wild Military Road to Forte del Gran Serin

🇮🇹 Italy

# Forte del Gran Serin: Italy's Alpine Fortress Road Ready for some serious alpine adventure? Forte del Gran Serin sits perched at a jaw-dropping 2,602 meters (8,536 feet) above sea level in the Turin area of Italy's Piedmont region, making it one of the country's most elevated roads. This is definitely not your average Sunday drive. Built toward the end of the 1800s, this military fortress was constructed to guard Italy's northwestern border. Today, you can still see the remnants of its impressive layout—artillery positions, barracks (which once housed up to 850 soldiers), stables, a powder magazine, and protective walls—though time and weather have taken their toll. From its strategic hilltop position, the battery once commanded sweeping views across the Galambra Valley, down to the distinctive Quattro Denti Peak, and beyond to the lower Cenischia Valley. Here's the reality check: getting there is genuinely challenging. The approach uses the Strada Militare del Gran Serin, an old military road from 1884 that's completely unpaved and rough around the edges. You're looking at just 1.9 kilometers (1.18 miles) starting from Colle dell'Assietta, but you'll gain 131 meters of elevation with a 6.89% average gradient. This road demands a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle—no exceptions. A gate blocks access to the fortress itself, and here's the real kicker: winter snowfall makes the entire road impassable for months, so plan your visit accordingly. This is alpine exploration at its finest.

The Norwegian Fv946 is one of the steepest roads in the worldextreme

The Norwegian Fv946 is one of the steepest roads in the world

🇳🇴 Norway

# Fv946 (Tronåsen): Norway's Gnarliest Mountain Drive If you're craving an adrenaline-pumping road trip, buckle up—Norway's Fv946 might just be your ultimate challenge. Nestled between Rogaland and Vest-Agder counties in southern Norway, this legendary route sits at the northern tip of Lake Lundevatnet and will test even the most confident drivers. We're talking about one of the steepest roads on the planet here. With gradients hitting 25-33%, this isn't your average Sunday cruise. The road demands respect—weak engines and dodgy brakes have no business here. Seriously, some cars actually need to reverse up sections because forward gears just don't cut it. That's the kind of intense you're signing up for. The numbers alone tell the story: just 5.4 km (3.35 miles) of pure, concentrated mayhem. Starting from a parking area along E39 (complete with facilities), it climbs to Bakke Bro, a stunning 1844 suspension bridge spanning the River Sira. The route is narrow—only 2.5 to 3.5 meters wide—and twists through 11 wickedly sharp hairpin turns. The pavement exists, sure, but it's seen better days. Here's the history kicker: this road has been connecting travelers since 1791 and was officially paved in 1844 as part of the Western Highway. It was originally built for horse transport (imagine that!) and was such a proving ground it earned a spot in the 1931 Rally Monte Carlo. Fair warning: it's only open to regular cars May through September. Large vehicles, caravans, and trailers? Not happening—ever.

The Most Compelling Driving Destinations in the UKextreme

The Most Compelling Driving Destinations in the UK

🇬🇧 England

Okay, picture this: you're in the Lake District, Cumbria. Forget your history books for a sec, because the real story here is told by the roads. We're talking Kirkstone Pass, a beast of a climb, and the infamous Hardknott and Wrynose passes – those 33% gradients are NO joke! Imagine breathtaking views of electric-blue lakes and ridiculously steep valleys, all while wrestling your steering wheel through hairpin turns barely wider than your car. Keep your eyes peeled and your gears tight - this isn't a Sunday drive; it's an adventure. Now, let's head south to Beachy Head. Rising over 500 feet above the English Channel, this coastal road is all about drama. Think epic views from high ridges as you cruise towards that 140-foot lighthouse. But don't get too caught up in the scenery! This area is famous for its sheer chalk cliffs, and a little coastal mist can turn this dream drive into a white-knuckle experience. Stay sharp and watch out for sudden elevation changes – this beauty can bite! Next up, Castle Combe, a village so charming it's almost unbelievable. Picture yourself navigating narrow, winding roads untouched since the 15th century. The journey through the Cotswolds is pure bliss; the B4632 ridge road sweeps you through panoramic views of the Vale of Evesham. But when you hit those tight limestone lanes of the village itself? Prepare for a history lesson in tight spaces! Now, let's head to Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Prepare to navigate a perfectly laid out Georgian city. The city’s urban grid—including the iconic Royal Crescent and the Bath Circus—requires careful situational awareness due to high pedestrian density and complex one-way systems. Approaching Bath via the Avon Valley, the scenery gracefully transitions from rural Somerset into the heart of this architectural wonderland. Last stop, Portmeirion in North Wales (yeah, technically not England, but close enough!). This quirky, Italianate village is your gateway to Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park. The coastal roads leading here are narrow and winding, setting the stage for the mountain loops ahead. One minute you're surrounded by Mediterranean-style gardens, the next you're climbing towards rugged, volcanic peaks. Talk about a change of scenery!