Where is Cirque de Navacelles?
France, europe
15.2 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in southern France, smack-dab in the Occitanie region, ready for an unforgettable drive! You're about to tackle the D713 and D130, a twisty ribbon of asphalt that plunges into the Cirque de Navacelles, a mind-blowing canyon carved by the River Vis (now mostly dried up).
This isn't just any canyon; it's a massive amphitheater of limestone cliffs that'll leave you speechless. The road itself stretches for about 15 km (9.44 miles), connecting Blandas (a cool town known for its prehistoric standing stones) to Saint-Maurice-Navacelles.
Now, fair warning: this road isn't for the faint of heart. It's paved, but not exactly in pristine condition, and in sections, it's barely wide enough for a single car. You'll be snaking down into the valley, then hugging the cliff face on the way back up. Rock slides are a real hazard, so keep your eyes peeled. Camper vans are generally advised to avoid this route. On the plus side, the views are spectacular! Just be aware that parking at the village entrance can get crazy crowded in the summer months.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 15.2 km
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremeP14 is a scenic road above the clouds in Montenegro
🌍 Montenegro
Get ready for the Durmitor Panoramic Route (also called the Durmitor Ring) in Montenegro! This 49.7 km (30.8 miles) paved road winds between Žabljak (the Balkans' highest city!) and Plužine, slicing right through Durmitor National Park. Located in northwestern Montenegro, this road is not for the faint of heart. Think potholes galore, super-narrow sections where you'll definitely need to yield to oncoming traffic, and unlit (and dusty!) tunnels. Oh, and did I mention the steep drop-offs with zero protection? A planned motorway will eventually bypass this road, but for now it's an adrenaline junkie's dream! The road climbs to Sedlo Pass, a dizzying 1,907m (6,256ft) above sea level—supposedly the highest paved pass in the country. Budget about 1.5 to 2 hours to drive it straight through. You'll be rewarded with insane mountain views, charming traditional villages, and bragging rights for conquering a truly challenging road. Plus, you're super close to the Tara River Canyon, the deepest in Europe! Heads up: this route is usually closed in winter due to heavy snow. If you're visiting in colder or rainy weather, consider hopping on a bus—the drivers know this road like the back of their hand! And don't trust the signs; ask the locals about current road conditions. They always know best!
hardWhere is Colle Sestriere?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: Colle Sestriere, a seriously scenic mountain pass chilling in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy, practically waving hello to France from just 17 km away! We're talking about the Susa Valley, people. The pass itself? It's named after Sestriere, a super-cute alpine village right at the top (population: a cozy 880). You'll be cruising along the Strada Provinciale 23 del Colle di Sestriere (SP23R) – totally paved, so no need for monster truck tires. The whole shebang runs from Cesana Torinese to Perosa Argentina, about 40 km northwest of Turin, and it's about 40 km in total length. Now, let's talk climb. If you're coming from Perosa Argentina, get ready for an elevation gain of 1,427 meters with an average gradient of 3.8%. Starting in Cesana Torinese? It's a 679-meter climb at a slightly steeper average of 5.9%. Either way, the views are absolutely worth it!
hardCol du Laux
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the DrĂ´me department in sunny southeastern France, and you stumble upon the Col du Laux. This mountain pass sits pretty at 883 meters (almost 2,900 feet!) above sea level. The road, known as the D316, is paved, so no need for a monster truck. But hold on, it gets a little spicy! This climb is surprisingly steep, so keep your ride in a low gear! The pass connects Chauvac - Laux - Montaux in the west with Laux Montaux to the east. Get ready for some killer views, because this one's a treat for the eyes!
moderateAn iconic road to Col de Puymorens in the Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
Col de Puymorens is a stunning high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,920 meters (6,299 feet) in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of France. Nestled in the Occitania region down south, it's right in that sweet spot near the Spanish border with views toward the Mediterranean. The fully paved N320 road climbs 10.7 kilometers (6.64 miles) from the N20 to the N22, running south to north. Fair warning though – this route gets seriously busy with traffic, including plenty of heavy trucks. The terrain is no joke either, with some brutal 7.7% gradients that'll test your driving skills. If you're into cycling, you might recognize it from Tour de France coverage – yeah, it's *that* famous. Since it's up there in the Pyrenees, the pass stays open year-round, which is pretty impressive. Winter can throw some curveballs though – occasional closures happen when conditions get gnarly. Pro tip: if you want to skip the climb entirely, there's a tunnel that's been handling through-traffic since 1994, so you've got options. The scenery around here is absolutely worth the drive though. Whether you're tackling the pass itself or exploring the surrounding area, it's the kind of place that makes road trips memorable.