The brutal climb to Station de Valdrome with 15% ramps

The brutal climb to Station de Valdrome with 15% ramps

France, europe

Length

8.6 km

Elevation

1,318 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, adventure seekers, let me tell you about the road to Station de Valdrôme, a hidden gem nestled in the French Alps! This resort sits pretty high up at 1,318 meters (that's 4,324 feet!). You'll find it in the Drôme department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

The road that takes you there, the D806, is completely paved, so no need for an off-roader. Starting from the village of Valdrôme, it's a relatively short but sweet 8.6 kilometers (or about 5.3 miles) to the top.

Now, don't let the short distance fool you, this road is a climber! It gets seriously steep in places, maxing out at a hefty 15% gradient. You'll gain 612 meters in elevation on your way up from Valdrôme, averaging out to a 7.11% incline. Prepare for some hairpin turns and breathtaking views. Trust me, the panoramic scenery is worth the climb!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
8.6 km
Max Elevation
1,318 m
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in europe

Cerro de Los Murciélagoshard

Cerro de Los Murciélagos

🇪🇸 Spain

Cerro de Los Murciélagos is a mountain peak at an elevation of 982m (3,221ft) above the sea level, located in southern Spain, in southwest of the province of Cordoba, in Andalusia. Located within the Natural Park of the Sierras Subbéticas, the road to the summit is asphalted but narrow. It’s called CV-247. It’s a beautiful road set in the mountains of Andalusia. The road ends on a parking lot that offers stunning views. The road is pretty steep. Starting from the village of Zuheros (on the CV-178 road), the ascent is 4.1 km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 312 meters. The average gradient is 7.60%. At the summit there’s a cave, known as Cueva de Los Murciélagos, with ibex and Neolithic human remains and representative Palaeolithic paintings of horses, bears and deer. The cave is named after the murciélagos (bats) that inhabit it. The caves were discovered in 1868 but they were not studied until 1938. Morra del Buitre: A Rugged 2,000m Journey in Sierra de Castril Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Minschunshard

Minschuns

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Minschuns: A High Alpine Adventure Want to tackle something seriously wild? Minschuns is a stunning 2,514m (8,248ft) peak tucked into the Swiss canton of Graubünden's Inn district, right on the edge of the Swiss National Park. And yeah, getting up there is no joke. The route to the summit is basically a chairlift access trail that'll test your nerves—think rocky, gravelly terrain that gets progressively steeper and more chaotic the higher you climb. The upper sections? Legitimately gnarly, with loose scree that'll keep you on your toes. Here's the kicker: you've got maybe a handful of weeks at the end of August to even attempt this safely. That's your summer window, and you'd better not miss it. Mother Nature doesn't make this easy either. Wind is basically a permanent resident up here, howling year-round with particular intensity at this elevation. And don't let the summer timing fool you—you could wake up to snow in July if you're unlucky. Winter? Forget it. Temperatures plummet to genuinely brutal levels. The actual road to the summit is a ski-station service route, steep as they come, with some sections pushing a bonkers 30% gradient. This isn't your casual Sunday drive—it's pure mountain intensity for those who really want it.

How to drive the Single Lane Tunnels/Bridges of Iceland?hard

How to drive the Single Lane Tunnels/Bridges of Iceland?

🇮🇸 Iceland

Cruising through Iceland, you'll find some quirky one-lane tunnels and bridges, especially off the beaten path! Don't sweat it; just remember the golden rule: yield to oncoming traffic. These tunnels have frequent passing spots, like little pull-offs every 100-150 meters. If there's a passing spot on your right, that's your cue to pull over and let the other vehicle roll on by. Signage or lights at the entrance will often give you the heads-up on who has the right of way. These tunnels are cozy, so speed limits are strictly enforced. Take it slow, turn on your headlights, and be ready to yield. Standard-sized vehicles usually cruise through just fine, but larger trucks or buses might find it a bit snug. Some rental car companies even suggest avoiding certain ones, especially when winter hits. The Dalvík to Ólafsfjörður Tunnel in northern Iceland is a 3.4-kilometer (2.11-mile) single-lane adventure with plenty of passing points. Built in 1990, it's a safe shortcut through some seriously mountainous terrain. Near Siglufjörður in North Iceland, there's an 800-meter (0.5-mile) tunnel built back in 1967. It's a classic single-lane setup, so keep your eyes peeled for oncoming traffic and make good use of those passing areas! Then there's Iceland's first tunnel in the Westfjords. It's a tiny 30-meter (98-foot) wonder. Though technically two lanes, it's pretty narrow. Connecting Ísafjörður and Súðavík, it's like a quirky historical landmark from 1948. As for one-lane bridges, the closest car gets the right of way, then it's an alternating turn system for everyone else.

Can you drive to Passo di Giau?hard

Can you drive to Passo di Giau?

🇮🇹 Italy

Passo di Giau – wow, just wow! This epic mountain pass sits way up high in the Italian Dolomites, in the Veneto region. We're talking 2,238m (7,342ft) above sea level! Trust me, the views from the top are some of the best you'll ever see. Many say it's one of the most stunning passes in the whole Dolomites range. The road, Strada Provinciale 638 (SP638), is completely paved, so no need for an off-roader, but don't think it's a walk in the park! It's a real challenge, famous for its steep climbs and relentless hairpin turns – 55 of them! Plus, there are a few tunnels to protect you from avalanches. Be prepared for some serious gradients, with the steepest sections hitting a whopping 13%. At the summit, you'll find a small hotel and the adorable Chiesa di San Giovanni Gualberto church, all surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks. If you're feeling adventurous, a gravel road heads up to Monte Ragusela, but be warned, it's a bit rough. The pass is generally open year-round, but keep in mind that snow tires or chains are a must in winter. Avalanches can sometimes block the road during the winter months. The road itself is about 20.0 km (12.42 miles) long, running from Selva di Cadore to Pocol, near Cortina d'Ampezzo. It's even been part of the Giro d’Italia cycling race! Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! The scenery is simply incredible. Imagine breathtaking views of the Dolomites, especially amazing early in the morning when there are fewer cars. The pass even has a bit of history; it used to mark the border between the Republic of Venice and the Austrian Empire, and you can still spot the old border marker. Fun fact: some scenes from the classic 80s movie Ladyhawke were filmed here! Plus, not too far away you can find Strada degli Eroi, a military road built during WWI.