
Where is Col de l’Infernet?
France, europe
N/A
2,380 m
hard
Year-round
Okay adventurers, listen up! Deep in the French Alps, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, awaits Col de l’Infernet! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a climb to 2,380 meters (7,810 ft) above sea level, a real lung-buster!
Up top, you'll find Fort de l’Infernet, a seriously cool old French fort from the 19th century. Picture this: the last fort built with cut stone, equipped with huge guns and mortars and once connected to the valley by a mule-powered tramway!
Now, the road itself? It's unpaved and rough, originally built for army vehicles. Think steep, narrow sections, slippery spots, and major drop-offs – definitely not for the faint of heart. From the paved road to the summit, you're looking at roughly 5.5 kilometers of challenging terrain with an average gradient of 9.5%. But the views? Absolutely worth it.
Along the way, you'll be treated to amazing views and loads of historical remnants – old forts, gun placements, and barracks dot the landscape. Fair warning: this road is usually closed in winter due to snow, and even in summer, conditions can change quickly. So, check before you go and prepare for an unforgettable Alpine adventure!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,380 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardHow to reach the summit of Guillimona?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Sierra de la Guillimona in Granada, Andalusia, Spain! This baby tops out at 1,876m (that's over 6,150ft!) and sits right near the border with Albacete. So how do you get to this awesome, isolated peak? You'll start on the paved road between Puebla de Don Fadrique and Santiago de la Espada. From there, you'll kick it into off-road mode. The climb winds up a high-altitude plateau, giving you incredible views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Now for the nitty-gritty: the road's unpaved and a mix of gravel and rocks, so it can get a little bumpy. A 4x4 is HIGHLY recommended, especially if you want to make it to the top without any drama. The road has an average gradient of 6.07%, and with that loose, rocky surface, you'll need some serious traction and ground clearance. If you're not comfortable on steep, unpaved mountain roads, maybe skip this one. Weather's a big player here too. Things can change fast up there! Summer thunderstorms can turn the road into a muddy mess, and in winter, expect snow and ice to shut things down for months. But, if you're prepared and the weather cooperates, the views from the top are insane. You'll get a panorama of northern Granada, plus Albacete and Murcia. It's the perfect escape for anyone looking for a seriously remote driving experience, far away from the crowds.
easyWhat’s at the summit of Col du Chasseral?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Col du Chasseral is calling your name! Perched high in the Swiss Jura mountains in the canton of Bern, this pass sits pretty at an altitude of *whoa*. What awaits you at the summit? Only the most breathtaking panoramic views! Right in the heart of Chasseral Nature Park, near the canton of Neuchâtel, you'll find a hotel/restaurant complex. Get ready to feast your eyes on not one, not two, but *three* stunning lakes, with Lake Neuchâtel stealing the show as the biggest and closest. The road itself? Totally paved, but hold onto your hats, folks, it gets pretty darn narrow! It winds its way right up to the parking lot of the hotel/restaurant, which is the end of the line for cars. After that, it's all about hoofing it to the very top. The road's generally in decent shape, and the curves are marked with white lines. The real challenge? Those high curbs between the pass and the hotel—approach with extreme caution! Clocking in at around 13 km, the road packs a punch with a whopping 710-meter elevation gain and an average gradient of 5.5%. Important tip: this is one of the highest peaks in the Swiss Jura so check conditions before you go. Winter closures are super common!
hardRegia Trazzera Prestanfuso in Sicily is one of the steepest roads in the world
🇮🇹 Italy
# Regia Trazzera Prestanfuso: Sicily's Jaw-Droppingly Steep Road Nestled in the Metropolitan City of Palermo in northern Sicily, the Regia Trazzera Prestanfuso is genuinely one of the most insanely steep drives you'll ever attempt. Seriously—you won't truly appreciate how bonkers this road is until you're actually on it and your car is struggling for dear life climbing upward. Stretching just 1.4 km (0.86 miles) between Scillato and Strada Provinciale 24, this short but brutal route packs serious punch. The road is fully paved in concrete (thank goodness, given what's about to happen), and there's a strict 20 km/h speed limit in place. Fair warning: it gets slippery as hell after rain, so plan accordingly. Here's where things get wild. The gradient hits a staggering 27% in sections, which means you'll basically be living in first gear if you're heading uphill. Slip out of it and you'll roll backward. Going downhill? Get ready to ride your brakes constantly—this isn't a road where you coast. It's also off-limits to trucks and oversized vehicles wider than 2.30 m or taller than 2.80 m for obvious reasons. This is adventure driving at its most extreme. Bring plenty of brake fluid, nerves of steel, and a genuine respect for physics.
hardAspropirgos Road
🇬🇷 Greece
# Journey to Aspropirgos: A Mountain Adventure Nestled high in the Evrytania region of central Greece, the charming mountain town of Aspropirgos sits at a breathtaking 880m (2,887ft) elevation. Getting there? Well, it's definitely an adventure. The road is paved, but don't let that fool you – this is serious mountain driving. We're talking about an average gradient of 9%, with some sections climbing a jaw-dropping 15%. Starting from the already-challenging Prousos-Karpenski road, this route winds its way up to 1,090m (3,576ft), putting your driving skills to the test with tight hairpin curves and some seriously exposed dropoffs. This isn't a casual Sunday drive. Expect dramatic elevation changes, heart-pounding switchbacks, and views that'll make you forget to breathe (in a good way). If heights make you queasy or you're traveling with passengers who get nervous around cliffsides, you might want to mentally prepare yourselves – or reconsider altogether. Honestly? This road demands respect. It separates the confident drivers from the nervous ones, and one wrong move can have real consequences. But if you've got the skills, the nerves of steel, and absolutely no fear of landslides or vertigo, you're in for an unforgettable alpine experience. The reward? A stunning mountain town perched high above the Greek countryside, with views that make every hairpin turn worthwhile.