When was Lac de Derborence formed?
Switzerland, europe
18.2 km
1,465 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Lac de Derborence, a stunning mountain lake chilling at 1,465m (4,806ft) in the Swiss canton of Valais. Getting there? Epic. The road, Route de Derborence, is this super narrow ribbon of asphalt snaking through the Lizerne valley for 18.2km (11.30 miles) from Conthey.
Word of warning: it's a wild ride. We're talking steep – some sections clock in at a 15% gradient! The road climbs a total of 1,133 meters, so you'll be gaining altitude fast. Expect hairpin turns galore and a good 30-45 minute drive if you don't stop (but you'll WANT to).
The highlight? Continuous tunnels, hand-carved with window openings, cling to the cliff face. It’s pretty dark in there, but those windows offer insane views… if you dare to look down. Because yeah, there are some serious 300m drop-offs.
This is no Sunday drive. The road is closed to vehicles over 3.4m, and it can get crazy busy, especially on weekends. And be careful where you stop to take photos – laybys are scarce, and the road is so narrow you won't be able to pass other cars in some places. Also, this beast is usually snowed in from around November to May/October. Lac de Derborence was actually created by massive landslides in the 1700s, which make it Switzerland’s youngest lake! Even so, it’s worth it for the views, the thrill, and the chance to see this hidden gem.
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 18.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,465 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
hardTuca Urmella
🇪🇸 Spain
# Tuca Urmella: Spain's Alpine Adventure Ready for one of Spain's most thrilling mountain drives? Head to the Benasque Valley deep in the Pyrenees, where Tuca Urmella beckons at a jaw-dropping 2,333 meters (7,654 feet). This isn't your typical scenic highway—it's a legit high-altitude challenge that ranks among the country's most extreme mountain roads. Here's what you're getting into: the road to the summit is pure gravel and rock, complete with teeth-rattling washboard sections and plenty of hair-raising moments. Conditions are typically brutal from October through June, so aim for summer if you actually want to make it. This route demands serious off-road chops and nerves of steel—the grades are genuinely steep, and the exposure will test anyone with a fear of heights. Honestly? This isn't for casual weekend drivers. You'll need a proper 4x4 to even attempt this beast, and you'd better be comfortable navigating unpaved mountain terrain. But if you've got the skills, the guts, and the right vehicle, the payoff is incredible. You're pushing through one of Europe's most dramatic landscapes in a way most road trippers never experience. Only the truly dedicated wheelers should attempt this one. Come prepared, come capable, and you'll earn a story that'll last a lifetime.
moderateWhere is Kop Dağı Geçidi?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Kop Dağı Geçidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.423m (7,949ft) above sea level located on the boundary between Bayburt and Erzurum provinces, in Turkey. Where is Kop Dağı Geçidi? Set high on the eastern part of the country, it is an important passage separating the Eastern Anatolia Region and the Black Sea Region. Traffic is equally intense. Is Kop Dağı Geçidi paved? The road to the summit is entirely paved (in pretty bad conditions). It’s called D915, part of the European Route 97. It’s pretty steep. It is difficult to keep the pass open to traffic during the winters because of the harsh weather conditions due to high altitude. Due the dangerous weather conditions, a new tunnel is being built to bypass the most defiant parts of the pass. How long is Kop Dağı Geçidi? The pass road is 24.9km (15.47 miles) long, running north-south from Çalıdere (Bayburt Province) to Bozburun (Erzurum Province). Is Kop Dağı Geçidi worth it? At the summit, there’s a memorial (Kop Şehitler Abidesi). The Kop Martyrs Monument was built on the summit of Kop Mountain in 1963 in memory of the soldiers who resisted the enemy in the Kop Pass and Coruh Basin in 1916 and were martyred in this resistance. In the construction of the monument, generally cut stone and occasionally concrete and marble were used. Not far from the summit, there’s a bar-restaurant. If you've got your own vehicle, it's worth stopping for the views. The Road to Yagdonduran Gecidi in Sivas: A Challenging Winter Journey Take the Scenic Route and Discover Cam Pass in the Black Sea region 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.
hardHow to get by car to Mount Oeta in Central Greece?
🇬🇷 Greece
# Mount Oeta: Greece's Ultimate High-Altitude Adventure Want to tackle one of Greece's most thrilling mountain roads? Mount Oeta (also called Mount Iti) sits pretty at 1,914 meters (6,279 feet) in the Phthiotis region of Central Greece, nestled within the stunning Iti National Park. This isn't just any scenic drive—it's one of the country's highest roads. Here's the real talk: you'll absolutely need a serious 4x4 vehicle with high clearance to conquer this beast. This is no Sunday cruise in a sedan. The unpaved road climbs relentlessly from Dyo Vouna over 24 kilometers (15 miles), gaining a whopping 1,412 meters of elevation along the way. That works out to an average gradient of 5.88%, which sounds manageable until you're actually navigating those tight switchbacks and rocky terrain. The scenery is phenomenal, but come prepared. Winter is basically off-limits—the road becomes impassable once the snow starts falling. Summer and early fall are your best bets for tackling this spectacular route. If you're not confident in your vehicle's capabilities or your driving skills on seriously steep, unpaved mountain roads, you might find yourself doing an embarrassing three-point turn and heading back down. Ready to challenge yourself? This is one for the adventure seekers and off-road enthusiasts willing to earn those bragging rights.
hardWhere is Colle di Valcavera?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the northwestern corner of Italy, practically spitting distance from France, and you stumble upon Colle di Valcavera. This mountain pass climbs to a cool 7,926 feet and it’s a real beauty, if a bit of a beast. The road’s all paved, thankfully, but don’t expect a smooth ride – it's got its fair share of rough patches. What it *does* have in spades is curves. Hairpins for days! This baby’s been featured in the bicycle race, so you know it's got some serious elevation gain. And speaking of steep, some sections max out at a pretty intense gradient. Clocking in at just over 29 miles, this stunner winds its way and is the same road you'd take to reach. Just a heads up: winter slams the door shut on this road, so plan your trip accordingly. The scenery is unreal, though, so totally worth braving the climb!