Road trip guide: Conquering the Pas de Bellecombe
France, europe
22.6 km
2,361 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're on Réunion Island, ready for an epic adventure to Pas de Bellecombe, a mountain pass sitting pretty at 2,361m.
The road you'll be cruising is Route Forestière 5 du Volcan, aka Volcano Road. It's paved, but hold on tight – it's a steep climb! Pro-tip: sun protection is a must. The lava reflects like crazy, so you'll want sunscreen and a hat, even if it seems clear. And be prepared for the weather to change on a dime; fog can roll in fast. Give yourself plenty of time to be safe!
The road stretches for 22.6 km, climbing 743m. That’s an average gradient of 3.28%. When you get to the top, there's a parking lot and even a snack bar! The view over the northeast part of the caldera is incredible. Just a heads up, the final stretch is on a decent gravel road, so be ready for that.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 22.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,361 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhere is the RD117 road?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up, adventure-seekers, because RD117 in the Alpes-Maritimes of France is not for the faint of heart! This road is a real test of your driving skills. Picture this: you're winding through the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France on a tiny, incredibly narrow strip of asphalt. We're talking 9.4 km (5.84 miles) of pure adrenaline, connecting Toudon on the D27 to Pierrefeu on the D17 in a north-south dance. The challenge? This road is *tight*. Seriously, pray you don't meet another car, because reversing is practically a requirement. And forget bringing your RV; anything over 15 tons or 7 meters long is a no-go. It's paved, sure, but watch out for loose gravel and the ever-present danger of rock slides. Oh, and did I mention the 12 hairpin turns? Get ready to test your reflexes and your nerves! But hey, think of the views!
hardThe road to Mount Helmos is not for timid drivers
🇬🇷 Greece
# Mount Helmos: Greece's Sky-High Adventure Looking for a real adrenaline rush? Head to Mount Helmos (aka Mount Chelmos) in Western Greece, where you'll find yourself climbing to a jaw-dropping 2,340 meters (7,677 feet) above sea level. This is legitimately one of the highest roads in the entire country, and it's absolutely worth the white-knuckle drive. Tucked in the northwestern Peloponnese, about 130 km west of Athens and just 15 km from the charming town of Kalavryta, this peak isn't just stunning—it's scientifically significant. The summit hosts the Helmos Observatory, run by Greece's National Observatory of Athens. Want to know why? At this elevation, you're literally above the light pollution that plagues the rest of Europe. Stargazers and astronomers absolutely love it here. Now, let's talk about the road itself. Starting from the Kalavryta ski resort, you're looking at 8.3 km (5.15 miles) of pure challenge. You'll gain 635 meters in elevation with an average gradient of 7.65%—and here's the kicker: it's completely unpaved. Bring a high-clearance vehicle, and honestly? A 4x4 is your best friend here. This isn't for the faint of heart. The road features hair-raisingly narrow sections, steep drops, and moments where you'll genuinely question your life choices. That tiny brick wall lining the edge? Yeah, it's more psychological comfort than actual safety net. Pretty wild, right? Winter here (November through May) transforms the peak into a snow-covered wonderland, adding another layer of complexity to an already intense drive. Buckle up—this one's unforgettable.
moderateThe picturesque road to Pas de Morgins
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Pas de Morgins: Alpine Adventure Between Two Countries Ready for a killer alpine crossing? Pas de Morgins sits pretty at 1,378m (4,520ft) right on the Switzerland-France border, making it the perfect excuse for a European road trip. This fully paved beauty connects Switzerland's Valais canton with the French Haute-Savoie region, and honestly, it's got everything—stunning mountain scenery, charming towns, and some genuinely fun driving. The complete route runs about 30.4 km (18.88 miles) from Abondance to Monthey, and here's the good news: it stays open year-round. You're looking at a maximum gradient of 10.5% on some sections, so it's challenging but totally manageable for most drivers. Each side offers its own vibe. **From the French side** (starting in Abondance), you've got an 8km climb that's relatively chill until the final 800m kicks up to 8%—perfect for building drama as you approach the summit. **From Switzerland** (Monthey side), the first 11km are grittier with steep 7-8% averages and that gnarly 10% max gradient. But here's the payoff: the last 6km ease up beautifully to just 2-5%, with those final meters actually descending as you crest the plateau. The summit itself sits on a sprawling mountain plateau that'll make your Instagram followers jealous. Whether you're tackling this from north or south, you're in for a treat—winding roads, Alpine views, and that satisfying feeling of conquering a classic European pass.
hardConquering Theodul Pass: One of Europe's Highest and Most Challenging Roads on the Swiss-Italian Border
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Theodulpass: Europe's Ultimate Alpine Challenge Theodulpass sits at a breathtaking 3,336 meters (10,944 feet) on the Switzerland-Italy border, making it one of Europe's highest mountain passes. Known by several names—Colle del Teodulo, Col de Saint-Théodule, and Theoduljoch—this beast of a route connects Switzerland's Valais canton with Italy's Valle d'Aosta region. Just above the pass sits the historic Rifugio del Teodulo, a mountain hut that's been welcoming adventurers since 1920. Here's the thing: the road to the top is completely unpaved, and motorized vehicles have been banned since 2009. But don't let that stop you—cyclists with serious legs and serious guts can still summit, though only during the absolute best conditions in midsummer (late August, really). Before the ban, this was the highest drivable point in the entire Alps. Starting from Breuil-Cervinia in the Aosta Valley, you're looking at 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles) of pure suffering. You'll gain 1,308 meters in elevation, averaging a brutal 12.45% gradient. But here's where it gets gnarly: some sections hit a punishing 30% gradient, and the terrain is littered with loose stones that get progressively rockier and steeper as you climb higher. Set deep in the eastern Pennine Alps, this pass demands respect. There's only a narrow window—basically just a few weeks at the end of summer—when conditions are even remotely doable. This is hardcore alpine territory, plain and simple.