Tunnel de Peter Both
France, europe
N/A
167 m
hard
Year-round
Alright thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're ever cruising around Réunion Island (that little gem east of Madagascar), and you fancy a real adventure, you NEED to check out the Tunnel de Peter Both.
Carved way back in 1960, this tunnel punches a 166-meter hole through the mountains on the Route Nationale nº5, connecting Saint-Louis and Cilaos. Now, here's the kicker: it's NARROW. Think "cozy" rather than "spacious." Seriously, two cars at once? Forget about it! And with a height of only 3 meters, watch those oversized vehicles!
The road surface is paved, so that's a plus. But the real draw is the sheer audacity of the thing, and the killer views you get on either side. Just be prepared for a tight squeeze and maybe a little heart-pumping action. Trust me, it's worth it for the bragging rights!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 167 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Shell Island Causeway?
🇬🇧 Wales
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Gwynedd, Wales, heading towards Shell Island, home to the UK's biggest campsite. Sounds idyllic, right? But here's the kicker: getting there is an adventure in itself! The road to the island, more of a causeway really, vanishes *twice a day* when the tide rolls in. Seriously, it's underwater! This isn't your average drive. You're crossing the River Artro estuary, and you absolutely HAVE to time it right. Miss the window, and you're stuck waiting for the tide to recede. Tide times change daily, so do your homework! Summer gets crazy busy here, so plan accordingly. Oh, and why "Shell Island?" Because the beaches are *covered* in gorgeous seashells. It's a beachcomber's paradise! Just remember, when that tide comes in, the causeway is gone. Weather can shut it down too, so stay flexible. It's not the steepest road in Wales (that honor belongs to Ffordd Pen Llech!), but it's definitely one of the most unique and tidal!
moderateTravel Guide to L'Aiguille Percee
🇫🇷 France
# L'Aiguille Percée Picture this: you're standing at 2,732 meters (8,963 feet) above sea level in the heart of the French Alps, in the Savoie department near the Italian border. Welcome to L'Aiguille Percée, one of France's most extreme mountain roads. Nestled within the Réserve Naturelle de Tignes-Champagny, this isn't your typical scenic drive. We're talking about a completely unpaved service road that was originally built to access the chairlifts—and honestly, it shows. The terrain is genuinely rugged, which is why only serious 4x4 vehicles need apply. No city cars allowed here! The numbers speak for themselves. Starting from Tignes, you've got a mere 3.4 kilometers (2.11 miles) of driving ahead, but don't let that fool you. You'll be climbing 621 meters with an average gradient of 18.26%—that's steep, sustained climbing at its finest. It's legitimately one of the highest roads in the entire country. Here's the catch: this alpine adventure is only open during a brief summer window, so you'll need to time your visit carefully. But if you're a serious off-road enthusiast seeking one of France's most challenging mountain routes, L'Aiguille Percée delivers the goods in spades.
extremeHow do the traffic lights work at Passo Stalle?
🇮🇹 Italy
Staller Saddle, or Passo Stalle, is a seriously cool international pass sitting way up at 2,061m (6,761ft), right on the border between Austria and Italy. It's your ticket between the Defereggen Valley in Austria's East Tyrol and the Valle di Anterselva in Italy's South Tyrol, carving through the stunning High Tauern range. This road is paved and signed, but hold on tight! The Italian side gets super narrow, making it one of the Alps' most challenging drives. It's so tight that they use a synchronized one-way system with traffic lights to keep things flowing. Think of it like this: from the Austrian side, you get the green light for the first 15 minutes of every hour. Coming from the Italian side? Your green window is from the 30th to the 45th minute. Overtaking? Forget about it! And running a red light? Seriously dangerous. The Italian side, aka SP44, is where things get wild. Crazy narrow, blind corners everywhere, and some seriously steep sections. Big rigs, buses, and caravans are a no-go. Some spots are so tight, even squeezing past a cyclist can be tricky. This stretch is only open from May to October, and even then, just between 5:30 AM and 10:15 PM. The Austrian side (L25) is generally wider and a bit less steep. But don't get too comfy! After Erlsbach (1,549m), the road kicks up with some consistent inclines. Pro tip: gas is usually way cheaper in Austria, so fill up in St. Jakob in Defereggen before you cross into Italy! Is it dangerous? The road itself is in good shape, but the real danger is the lack of space and that tight timing. Waiting 45 minutes for a green light can tempt some drivers to take risks, but those blind corners on the Italian side leave zero room for error. Heavy rain or landslides can also shut things down, even in summer.
hardTikmataji Pass
🇬🇪 Georgia
Okay, road trippers, buckle up for the Tikmataji Pass! This beauty sits right on the border between Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli in southern Georgia, topping out at a cool 2,171 meters (7,122 feet). You'll find it chilling in the Javakheti Plateau, part of the Lesser Caucasus mountains. The asphalt ribbon winds and climbs, making it one of Georgia's highest paved routes. Think hairpin turns, steep climbs, and views that'll make your jaw drop as you connect Tsalka with Ninotsminda. Word to the wise: this isn't the road to mess with in bad weather. Snow can strike anytime, and those icy patches can be sneaky! You’ll also be sharing the landscape with the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway. Seriously, though, make the drive. It's a lonely, gorgeous landscape of roads, grasslands, mountains, and the stunning Paravani Lake, the country's largest, not far from the pass itself. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled – there's even a 4,000-year-old burial mound hiding somewhere in the lake! Just don't expect to see it clearly - the lake is shallow, but murky. Photo ops galore up here, so don't forget your camera!