
Travel Guide to Col du Plateau Rosa in the Alps
Italy, europe
12.3 km
3,088 m
hard
Year-round
# Col du Plateau Rosa
Ready for an adventure that'll test both your vehicle and your nerve? Col du Plateau Rosa sits pretty at a whopping 3,088m (10,131ft) in Italy's Aosta Valley, making it one of Europe's most extreme mountain passes.
Starting from the town of Paquier, you're looking at a 12.3 km (7.64 miles) ride that climbs 1,529m with an average gradient of 12.43% — yeah, it's steep. And here's the catch: the entire route is unpaved, so you'll absolutely need a 4x4 to even attempt this beast. This isn't a Sunday cruise; it's a serious mountain challenge.
The road winds its way up through the stunning Alps, eventually reaching Cime Bianche as it snakes toward the summit. Fair warning though — come winter, this pass becomes completely impassable, so you'll need to time your visit during the warmer months.
But hey, the views? Totally worth it. And once you reach the top, you can reward yourself at Ristorante Ventina for some well-deserved Italian hospitality. The road itself doubles as a service route for a chairlift, so you know the area takes its Alpine credentials seriously.
Where is it?
Travel Guide to Col du Plateau Rosa in the Alps is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.7603, 11.9158
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 12.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,088 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.7603, 11.9158
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Monte Grane?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're in the Italian Alps, Province of Cuneo, specifically the Piedmont region's Valle Po. You're headed to Monte Grané, a seriously stunning peak standing tall at 2,306 meters (that's 7,565 feet!). At the very top, you'll find Rifugio Ghincia Pasteur, a perfect mountain refuge. Now, getting up there is an adventure. Forget your sedan—this is 4x4 territory *only*, and sadly, private vehicles aren't allowed. The dirt road kicks off from Rifugio Pian della Regina and stretches for about 3.4 kilometers (just over 2 miles). Don't let the short distance fool you: you're climbing 503 meters, meaning the average incline is a hefty 14.79%! Keep in mind, this route is a summer fling only. High up in the Cottian Alps, the road's only accessible from June to October, so plan accordingly!
hardCol de Portet: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Portet Nestled high in the Pyrenees at 2,215 meters (7,267 feet), Col de Portet sits just west of Saint-Lary-Soulan in France's Hautes-Pyrénées, practically within spitting distance of the Spanish border. This isn't your average mountain pass—it's one of the Pyrenees' most formidable challenges. The road itself is a spectacle carved directly into the mountainside. After getting fully paved in 2018, it's become an even more thrilling (if technically smoother) ride. But don't let that fool you—this 8-kilometer ascent packs serious punch. You'll navigate 14 hairpin turns through sections so narrow they'll make your palms sweat, with stretches hitting a brutal 16.3% gradient. The climb gains 655 meters of elevation at an average of 8.18%, and honestly? You can see almost the entire route from the bottom, which just makes it feel even more intimidating. The vistas start kicking in almost immediately and never stop. The driving is genuinely challenging—this is legitimately one of the toughest climbs in the range, and it sits even higher than the famous Col du Tourmalet. It's earned its stripes in the Tour de France, and for good reason. Summer is your window: the road opens from June through October, though winter completely shuts it down. Fair warning—during summer daylight hours (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), the road closes to most traffic except locals, so plan accordingly. When you finally reach the summit, that 360-degree panorama of the surrounding peaks is absolutely worth every hard-earned meter. Just be prepared—this climb might be enough to take it easy for the rest of your day.
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!
moderateHow long is the road from Hora Sfakion to Anopolis?
🇬🇷 Greece
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because the road from Hora Sfakion to Anopolis, nestled on Crete's southern coast in Greece, is a wild ride! If your travel buddies get queasy easily, maybe dose 'em up on ginger beforehand. This paved ribbon stretches for about 11.7 km (or 7.27 miles for you mile-lovers), snaking its way east to west. You'll start in Hóra Sfakíon (also called Sfakia, if you wanna sound like a local), a charming town hugging the coast. Your destination? Anopolis, a sweet little village perched on a plateau about 600m above sea level, right in the White Mountains' embrace. Give yourself around 25 minutes to soak it all in – and that's *without* stopping (good luck with that!). This area is a total knockout: think quiet beaches, crystal-clear water, plus all the good food and wine you can handle. And hiking? Forget about it, you could spend weeks exploring the coast. Seriously, this is Europe's southernmost point, and it's still raw and real. Now, let's be honest: this drive isn't a cakewalk. Picture this: a winding, climbing road etched into a rugged, beautiful landscape. The views out to Gavdos are simply amazing. And with 19 hairpin turns and gradients hitting 10% in places, you might want to downshift and keep your hands on the wheel. Expect steep drops, dramatic scenery, and maybe even a rockslide or two blocking your path. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road, and you will have some of the most breathtaking views anywhere.