Pas de Cherferie
France, europe
N/A
2,142 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Pas de Cherferie in the French Alps is calling your name! This insane gravel track in Savoie tops out at a cool 2,142 meters (that's over 7,000 feet!). Word to the wise: you NEED a 4x4 for this one, and forget about it in the winter – it's totally impassable. Expect some seriously narrow and steep bits as you climb. The views? Absolutely worth the white knuckles, but be prepared for a wild ride!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,142 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhat is Cow Green Reservoir?
🇬🇧 England
Nestled high up on the border between Cumbria and County Durham, Cow Green Reservoir sits pretty at 510m above sea level. This little gem holds back a whopping 40,000 million litres of water and stretches for 3km, so it's quite the sight. Getting there is part of the adventure! The road is fully paved, but be warned, it's a bit on the narrow side – expect some cozy moments if you meet another car. Starting from the village of Langdon Beck, the climb is a 4.66km push with some seriously steep sections hitting a 9% gradient. You'll end up at a car park. From there, a private road continues 2 miles to the dam and the awesome Cauldron Snout. The road is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather, especially in winter. Being high up, conditions can change in a heartbeat, and it can get pretty chilly. The water even freezes over in the winter! Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! The views are incredible, with panoramas stretching out to Cross Fell, Great and Little Dun Fells, Meldon Hill, Mickle Fell, and other stunning North Pennine peaks. Get your camera ready!
hardWhere is Little Saint-Bernard Pass?
🇫🇷 France
The Little St Bernard Pass straddles the Italian-French border at a lofty 2,188m (7,178ft), connecting the Aosta Valley in Italy with the Savoie region of France. Seriously, the views alone are worth the trip! This epic mountain drive runs between Bourg-Saint-Maurice in France and Morgex in Italy. From the French side, it’s about 26.5 km (16.46 miles) long with a climb of 1348 meters (4,423 feet), averaging a 5.1% gradient, but hitting steeper sections of up to 8.1%. The Italian side from Pré-Saint-Didier is a touch shorter at 23.5 km (14.6 mi), climbing 1184 meters (3,885 feet) at a similar 5.1% average. Budget around two hours for the drive, give or take – and keep an eye out, you might recognize bits from the Tour de France! The best time to hit the Little St Bernard Pass is between June and September. Think blooming wildflowers and crystal-clear skies stretching as far as you can see. Winter? Forget about it! This area gets buried in snow, usually closing by October and not reopening until June. But hey, late May or early June can be pretty magical too, with massive snow walls lining the road. Historically, this route's a big deal. Some even say Hannibal and his elephants crossed here! Nowadays, it's a well-maintained road with insane views down into the Aosta Valley from the French side. Expect some hairpin turns and a tunnel or two along the way. Besides the scenery, you'll spot some seriously remote homes clinging to the mountains – some of the most isolated living in Western Europe. The Italian side is where you’ll find the tightest hairpin turns, so pick your poison: a thrilling descent or a leisurely climb. Animal lovers should check out L'Hospice du Gd-St-Bernard (a bit further up the Grand St. Bernard Pass). It's a museum, monastery, restaurant, and hostel all in one, plus it’s the birthplace of those iconic St. Bernard dogs! And around halfway, you'll find La Thuile, a ski resort town with great food, skiing, and comfy hotels. If you're up for an unforgettable mountain road trip, the Little St. Bernard Pass delivers with killer views, exciting curves, and a healthy dose of Alpine charm.
extremeWhat is the road to Pierre-sur-Haute like?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're in France, smack-dab in the Monts du Forez, part of the Massif Central. You're eyeing Pierre-sur-Haute, the highest point around, with its summit poking over 1,600 meters above sea level. Now, getting there is a bit of an adventure, and not exactly open to everyone. The road, a north-south connector between the D40 at Col du Béal and the D106 at Le Perrier, is a bit quirky. It's there to service the radio station and relay tower at the top, but the final stretch? Strictly off-limits to civilian vehicles. Think military personnel, technicians, and emergency services only beyond a certain point. Heads up on the road surface – it's a tale of two sides. The northern part, from Col du Béal, is paved (sort of). Imagine a super-narrow strip of asphalt, no painted lines, and zero guardrails. The southern side? It's a rugged dirt track, and during winter, expect serious snow that often requires tracked vehicles to keep it open. At the top, you'll find a French Air Force radio station and a civilian relay tower, all behind a secure fence. They work hard to keep the road accessible year-round, but the weather in this area is intense. For authorized drivers, the biggest concerns are extreme wind and sudden ice. Seriously, the weather can change in a heartbeat, and thick fog can blind you. For everyone else, the main thing is to respect the "no entry" signs. Oh, and watch out for hikers on that narrow asphalt from Col du Béal – it's a tight squeeze!
hardThe road to Coll d’Honor is a hidden gem in Mallorca
🇪🇸 Spain
# Coll d'Honor: Mallorca's Thrilling Mountain Ride If you're looking for an adrenaline-pumping drive through Spain's Balearic Islands, Coll d'Honor in northern Mallorca is calling your name. Perched at 565m (1,853ft) in the stunning Tramuntana mountain range, this pass is pure driving adventure. The 19.3 km (11.99 miles) route stretches west to east between Bunyola and Alaró via the MA-2100 highway, and let's be honest—it's not for the faint of heart. You'll navigate 25 hairpin turns that'll keep your hands gripping the wheel and your eyes on the road. Fair warning: if you're sensitive to motion sickness, this might be the one to skip. The entire road is paved, though you'll notice some rough patches and cracked asphalt in spots—nothing that'll stop you, but definitely adds to the rustic character. Prepare yourself for some seriously narrow sections and steep climbs reaching up to 11.1% gradient. It's genuinely challenging, but in the best way possible. What makes this drive special is the scenery. You'll wind through beautiful woodland with views that make every hairpin turn worth it. Most drivers complete the route in 40 to 55 minutes without stopping—though you'll probably want to pull over for photos. The good news? It's open year-round, so you can tackle it whenever you please. Just head there outside peak summer and holiday seasons if you prefer fewer cars on the road. Otherwise, expect company and enjoy the ride.