Pas de Chavanette
Switzerland, europe
N/A
2,147 m
hard
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
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,147 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.9163, 8.2287
Related Roads in europe
hardLes Grandes Platières
🇫🇷 France
# Les Grandes Platières Nestled in the Haute-Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France, Les Grandes Platières is a high mountain pass sitting pretty at 2,473m (8,113ft) above sea level. Fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road is basically a gravel service route—rocky, tippy, and bumpy in all the right (or wrong?) ways. You'll want serious off-road chops and a decent 4x4 to tackle this beast. Winter? Forget about it—this pass is completely impassable once the snow rolls in. The climb is genuinely steep, so if you're not comfortable with unpaved mountain roads or get queasy around heights, this one's not for you. When conditions are wet, the muddy sections become properly challenging driving, especially as you push toward the ski slopes at the summit. But here's the payoff: once you've conquered the twists and turns, there's a restaurant waiting to celebrate your victory. Bottom line? If you've got the skills, the guts, and a well-equipped vehicle, Les Grandes Platières offers an exhilarating high-altitude adventure with serious bragging rights.
hardMonte Padrio is One of the Greatest Cycling Climbs in Italy
🇮🇹 Italy
# Monte Padrio: A Wild Alpine Adventure Want to test your driving skills on one of Italy's most intense mountain routes? Monte Padrio, perched at 1,882 meters (6,174 feet) in Brescia's stunning Alpine terrain, is calling your name. Also known as Valico di Trivigno, this legendary pass sits just south of the famous Mortirolo, nestled in Lombardy near the Swiss border. Here's what you're getting into: This isn't your typical scenic highway. The 27.1-kilometer road is actually an old military track that's been paved—though "paved" might be generous when you're staring down a jaw-dropping 27% gradient. Throw in 30 hairpin turns and a mandatory 20 km/h speed limit, and you've got yourself quite the adrenaline rush. Fair warning: trucks and semis aren't welcome here, which tells you something about how gnarly this route really is. The good news? The views are absolutely spectacular. The drive stretches north-south from Strada Provinciale 26 near Sernio (in Sondrio Province) down to Strada Statale 39 near Lombro (in Brescia Province), offering stunning central Alps scenery the whole way. Once you've white-knuckled your way to the top, reward yourself at the mountain refuge—they've got a winery, gift shop, and sandwich bar to help you decompress. One thing to know: winter shuts this place down completely. Come spring through fall if you want to actually make it to the summit.
moderateLac de l’Ouillette
🇫🇷 France
# Lac de l'Ouillette Tucked away in the French Alps near the Italian border, Lac de l'Ouillette sits pretty at a whopping 2,521 meters (8,270 feet) above sea level in Savoie. This stunning high-altitude lake is totally worth the drive—if you time it right. Here's the real talk: the road up is gravel and rocky, with some seriously bumpy stretches that'll definitely test your suspension. Your best bet? Visit between July and September when the road is actually passable. Winter and spring? Forget about it—snow and bad weather make it a no-go zone from October through June. The good news? If you've got a high-clearance 2WD vehicle and take it slow, you'll be fine. It's a maintained route, so as long as the weather cooperates and you're not in a hurry, you can navigate the washboard ruts and dips without drama. Beyond just the adrenaline rush of the drive, this place is an angler's paradise. Whether you're a seasoned fishing enthusiast or just looking for a family-friendly activity, the trout fishing here is absolutely stellar. So pack your gear, time your visit wisely, and prepare for some seriously epic Alpine scenery combined with a challenging road that'll make you feel like you've really earned that mountain lake experience.
moderateWhere is Ffynnon Llugwy?
🇬🇧 Wales
Okay, picture this: you're in Snowdonia, Wales, ready for an adventure. You're heading up to Ffynnon Llugwy, a natural lake chilling at 554m (that's 1,817ft!) above sea level. It's nestled at the foot of Carnedd Llewelyn, one of the country's biggest peaks, and it's seriously deep—45m at its deepest point! Now, the road to get there? It's all paved, but hold on tight. We're talking *steep* and *narrow*. This ain't your average Sunday drive; the road is owned by the local utility company and is closed to private vehicles. The climb starts from the A5 road and stretches for about 2.54km (just under 1.6 miles). In that short distance, you'll gain a whopping 262 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of over 10%, but be warned: it hits a maximum of 15% in some spots. In short, it is one heck of a climb!