Where is Col de la Llose?

Where is Col de la Llose?

France, europe

Length

9.3 km

Elevation

1,866 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure awaits in the French Pyrenees! We're talking about Col de la Llose, perched way up high in the Occitanie region at a cool 6,122 feet. You'll find it snuggled in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, right in southern France. This spot's got it all: a ski area called Site de ski de fonds du Capcir and a restaurant at the summit, plus a little dirt road that ventures even higher.

The D89 road itself? Paved, but get ready for a wild ride! It's 5.77 miles of twisty, turny goodness (hello, hairpin turns!) from La Llagonne to Ayguatébia-Talau. Be warned: it gets *narrow* in sections, so crossing paths with another car can be a bit of a squeeze. The climb from La Llagonne is just under 2 miles, but don't underestimate it! It's got some steep bits, averaging around a 5.57% grade, as it climbs about 550 feet. The views are incredible!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
9.3 km
Max Elevation
1,866 m
Difficulty
extreme

Related Roads in europe

Driving the Ghost Highway of Madrid: The MP-203moderate

Driving the Ghost Highway of Madrid: The MP-203

🇪🇸 Spain

# Spain's Strangest Highway: The Ghost Road That Nobody Drives Ever heard of a perfectly good highway that's been sitting completely empty for nearly two decades? Welcome to Madrid's most peculiar piece of infrastructure: the MP-203, now officially called the M-205. This 12.5-kilometer stretch of pristine asphalt was supposed to connect Vallecas and Alcalá de Henares, easing the notorious traffic headaches on the A-2. Sounds like a solid plan, right? Well, not quite. Construction kicked off in 2005 with big dreams, but things went sideways fast. By 2007, just two years later, the whole project ground to a halt—and it never recovered. Someone forgot to file the proper construction permits, which might explain why things fell apart so spectacularly. Here's where it gets wild: the project swallowed 70 million euros. That's right—tens of millions spent on a road where you'll almost never see a car. Today, the only traffic comes from cyclists pedaling through and locals using it for morning jogs. It's essentially become Madrid's strangest running track. But the empty highway isn't completely useless. Over the years, it's become a favorite filming location for movies, a notorious spot for illegal street racing, and a quirky recreational route for adventurous Madrid residents. The local ecology association has called it the ultimate symbol of government mismanagement and wasted resources. The good news? Regional officials are finally considering putting this ghost road to work. Plans are in the works to connect it to the A-2, R-3, and M-50 to actually improve traffic flow. After nearly 20 years of sitting idle, this strange highway might finally fulfill its original purpose.

Is Cam High Road paved?hard

Is Cam High Road paved?

🇬🇧 England

Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Cam High Road in North Yorkshire, England! This isn't your average Sunday drive – it's a proper trek. Think Yorkshire Dales National Park views cranked up to eleven, as you climb to a dizzying 1,932 feet. This 8.1-mile route kicks off near the charming village of Bainbridge and winds its way towards the iconic Pennine Way. But here's the thing: Cam High Road is a bit of a wild card. Expect narrow stretches, a mix of pavement and gravel, and seriously steep sections (we're talking up to a 16% gradient!). A high-clearance vehicle is your best bet to conquer this beast. While it's said to be Yorkshire’s highest road, and is England’s highest cycling climb outside of the North Pennines, this drive promises views that'll make your jaw drop – if you dare to take your eyes off the road, that is!

Anfo Ridge Road is a pure Italian adventuremoderate

Anfo Ridge Road is a pure Italian adventure

🇮🇹 Italy

# Anfo Ridge Road: Italy's Ultimate Alpine Adventure Ready for a drive that'll make your palms sweat and your heart race? Welcome to the Anfo Ridge Road in Brescia, Lombardy – a 20.1km (12.48 miles) beast that stretches east-west from Anfo to Passo del Maniva through the stunning Orobie Alps. This isn't your average scenic route. This is an old military road with serious Roman-era roots, and it absolutely lives up to its fearsome reputation. You're looking at a narrow, pothole-filled path with generous helpings of loose stones, unlit tunnels, and breathtaking (literally) unguarded drop-offs around every corner. Add in rockfall risks, hairpin turns, and a gnarly 12% maximum grade, and you've got yourself one heck of an adventure. Oh, and there's a speed limit of 20 km/h – which honestly seems generous given the conditions. The road conquers four mountain passes: Passo Baremone (1,450m), Passo della Spina (1,521m), Passo della Berga (1,527m), and the highest point, Passo del Dosso Alto (1,727m). It's high-altitude, exposed, and absolutely spectacular. Fair warning: this route was shut down for 6 years due to a landslide before reopening in 2009. They added some bypass tunnels in 2010, but the road still maintains its rough, untamed character. It's only accessible June through October (weather permitting), and vehicles over 2.5m wide or 3.2m tall need not apply. This is pure, unadulterated mountain driving – for those who crave the real deal.

Kapetaniana-Agia Ioannis Roadextreme

Kapetaniana-Agia Ioannis Road

🇬🇷 Greece

# Kapetaniana-Agia Ioannis: Crete's Most Intense Mountain Challenge Ready for a ride that'll test your nerve? The Kapetaniana-Agia Ioannis road in southern Crete is not your average scenic drive—it's a jaw-dropping, adrenaline-pumping adventure that connects the mountain village of Kapetaniana with the small town of Agia Ioannis through the dramatic Asterousia Mountains. This 7km beast climbs 722 meters with an eye-watering 10.31% average gradient and pitches up to 15% in places. But here's the kicker: you'll encounter a mind-bending 25 hairpin turns along the way. The road is gravel and rocky with a loose surface, especially toward the edges, so grip matters. And did we mention the sheer, unguarded drops that plunge hundreds of meters into the void below? Yeah, those are present for basically the entire route. This isn't a road for the faint of heart. Hairpins will keep your hands glued to the wheel, the steep incline demands serious concentration, and the exposed edges leave zero margin for error. A 4x4 is strongly recommended, and definitely skip the heavy lunch beforehand—altitude and endless curves are a dicey combo for your stomach. The road can shut down without warning due to landslide risk, and it's earned its fearsome reputation for good reason. If you suffer from vertigo or fear heights, this one's definitely not your jam. But if you're an experienced driver looking for one of Greece's most challenging mountain roads? This Cretan classic won't disappoint.