Setaz des Pres
France, europe
N/A
2,314 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the French Alps, in the Savoie region, lies Sétaz des Près, a seriously stunning peak reaching 2,314 meters (7,591 feet). This isn't your average Sunday drive, though.
We're talking a rocky, gravel track that's basically a ski lift service road during the winter. Think super steep – some sections crank up to a 30% gradient! It's located in the wild Massif des Cercesrange, so expect epic scenery.
The catch? This road is ONLY accessible for a super-short window in late August. And even then, be prepared for anything. We're talking potentially brutal winds (they whip through here year-round), and even snow in summer isn't unheard of. Basically, you need to be ready for anything. It's steep, loose, rocky, and challenging, but that view from the top? Totally worth it.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,314 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateCol de l'Iseran is the King of the Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Col de l'Iseran: The King of the Alps Perched at 2,764m (9,068ft) in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Col de l'Iseran sits pretty in the Graian Alps, right near the Italian border. This legendary pass connects Val-d'Isère in the north to Bonneval-sur-Arc in the south, forming a crucial stretch of the famous Route des Grandes Alpes. (Fair warning: that sign at the top claiming 2,770m? Don't believe it.) Nestled within Vanoise National Park, this is the stuff bucket lists are made of. Bikers and cyclists dream about this place—it's wild, intimidating, and absolutely epic. The landscape is raw and untouched, sweeping and desolate in the best possible way. It'll take your breath away. The fully paved D902 road runs a stunning north-south course, climbing to one of the highest accessible roads in France. The catch? It's only open summer months—typically May or June through October—and on certain summer days, it's cyclists-only from Val-d'Isère. That's when you know a road is serious. This pass has serious history too. It started as a mule track centuries ago before a 1920s presidential decree transformed it into an official route. Construction took a whopping 34 years, finally opening in 1937 under President Albert Lebrun. It was a massive feat—600 workers labored to connect the Maurienne and Iseran valleys for the first time ever. The ride itself is no joke. The north side features galleries and tunnels with grades hitting 12 percent. Since 1947, it's been a Tour de France favorite, and distance markers line both sides to keep you oriented on your way up.
hardHornli
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Hörnli: A Swiss Alpine Adventure Perched at 2,514 meters (8,248 feet) above sea level in the Plessur district of eastern Zürich, Hörnli is a stunning peak in the Swiss Alps that'll take your breath away—literally and figuratively. The route to the summit is basically a chairlift access trail that doubles as a ski-station service road, and let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. You're looking at rocky, gravel terrain that gets progressively steeper as you climb, with some sections hitting a brutal 30% grade. The upper sections? Even rockier and steeper, with loose stones that'll keep you on your toes. Here's the kicker: you've got a pretty narrow window to tackle this one. We're talking late August only—that's your sweet spot for summer conditions. But even then, don't be surprised if you encounter snowy patches or dramatic weather swings. The wind up here is relentless year-round, and winter temperatures are downright brutal. The payoff? Absolutely jaw-dropping panoramic views stretching across the Urdental valley below. It's one of those peaks that reminds you why people brave extreme conditions to reach these Alpine summits.
extremeHow long is Via Provinciale Anacapri?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, buckle up, because Via Provinciale Anacapri on the island of Capri is a wild ride! This 2.4 km stretch of road links the harbor (Marina Grande) to Anacapri, the town perched higher up. Think stunning views of Capri's north coast and the marina below. But hold on tight – this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking super-sharp hairpin turns (four of 'em!), and sections so narrow they need traffic lights to let cars pass one at a time. And did I mention the cliffs? You'll be hugging them tight, with a sheer drop down to the Mediterranean Sea on the other side. It's paved, but definitely a nail-biter. Trust your driver, and get ready for some insane scenery!
moderateA memorable road trip to Tossal d'Engrilló
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure awaits at Tossal d'Engrilló, a sweet mountain peak chilling at 1,072m in Catalonia, Spain! Nestled in the Parc Natural dels Ports, this isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking full-on unpaved roads here, so yeah, you'll want a 4x4 for this one. Trust me, it's worth it for the views alone! Think postcard-perfect scenery with little lakes dotting the landscape. Once you conquer the climb and reach the summit, you'll find a mountain refuge and panoramic views of the Terra Alta region, El Matarranya and even the Ebro Delta. The route is a leg-burner, a long, steep climb mostly through lush woodland. You'll gain 715 meters over 9.8 km from the TV-3541 road (starting at 357m), so get ready for an average gradient of 7.29%. You'll feel it!