
Where is Col de la Met?
France, europe
6 km
2,750 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Let's talk about Col de la Met in the Savoie region of France. This peak soars to a whopping 2,750 meters (that's over 9,000 feet!), and the views from the top? Seriously stunning. You're looking at the gorgeous Lac de Mont Cenis and a panorama of surrounding mountains that'll blow your mind.
Now, here's the thing: this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road to the summit is completely unpaved – think rugged, wild, and totally 4x4 territory. This is basically a chairlift access trail that's only open during the summer months. It's a rough ride, super steep in sections, and ranks as one of the highest roads you'll find in France.
The climb starts from the D1006 and clocks in at just 6 kilometers (a little under 4 miles), but don't let the short distance fool you. You're gaining 679 meters in elevation, which means an average gradient of over 11%! So, if you're up for a challenge and have the right wheels, Col de la Met promises an unforgettable experience.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,750 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateA Wild Military Road to Forte del Gran Serin
🇮🇹 Italy
# Forte del Gran Serin: Italy's Alpine Fortress Road Ready for some serious alpine adventure? Forte del Gran Serin sits perched at a jaw-dropping 2,602 meters (8,536 feet) above sea level in the Turin area of Italy's Piedmont region, making it one of the country's most elevated roads. This is definitely not your average Sunday drive. Built toward the end of the 1800s, this military fortress was constructed to guard Italy's northwestern border. Today, you can still see the remnants of its impressive layout—artillery positions, barracks (which once housed up to 850 soldiers), stables, a powder magazine, and protective walls—though time and weather have taken their toll. From its strategic hilltop position, the battery once commanded sweeping views across the Galambra Valley, down to the distinctive Quattro Denti Peak, and beyond to the lower Cenischia Valley. Here's the reality check: getting there is genuinely challenging. The approach uses the Strada Militare del Gran Serin, an old military road from 1884 that's completely unpaved and rough around the edges. You're looking at just 1.9 kilometers (1.18 miles) starting from Colle dell'Assietta, but you'll gain 131 meters of elevation with a 6.89% average gradient. This road demands a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle—no exceptions. A gate blocks access to the fortress itself, and here's the real kicker: winter snowfall makes the entire road impassable for months, so plan your visit accordingly. This is alpine exploration at its finest.
moderateRoad CV-794
🇪🇸 Spain
# The CV-794: A Scenic Spanish Mountain Drive If you're looking for one of Spain's most stunning drives, head to the Valencian Community and tackle the CV-794. This 17-kilometer beauty winds through the Parc Natural de la Serra de Mariola, connecting the charming town of Bocairent (in Valencia's Vall d'Albaida region) to the city of Alcoi across the Alicante border. Fair warning: this road gets absolutely packed with weekend warriors, so plan accordingly. The asphalt is decent, though you'll encounter some narrow stretches and plenty of curves that keep things interesting. The drive climbs steeply through Mediterranean forest scenery, reaching its highest point at Puerto de Bocairent mountain pass—a respectable 903 meters above sea level. That 9-kilometer ascent comes with 300 meters of elevation gain, and some sections push up to a challenging 11% gradient. The landscape is genuinely spectacular, especially if you're into Mediterranean vegetation and mountain vistas. Just don't attempt this route in rough weather. Winter brings snowfall to the region, and when the snow hits, the road can shut down without warning. Save this adventure for clear conditions, and you'll have an unforgettable drive through one of Spain's most beautiful mountain routes.
hardWhy is the Road A229 famous?
🇬🇧 England
Ever heard of the A229, snaking its way through Kent and Sussex in South East England? Forget your typical scenic route – this paved road is famous for a completely different reason: ghosts! Locals whisper spine-chilling tales, especially around the Blue Bell Hill stretch. The most common story? A woman in white, with captivating eyes, appears and then vanishes into thin air. Legend says it's the ghost of Judith Langham, a bride tragically killed on her wedding day in 1965. Since then, drivers have reported her ghostly figure wandering near Blue Bell Hill, often stepping out in front of vehicles only to disappear in the blink of an eye. There are even stories of a hitchhiker who gets in your car to complain, only to vanish mid-journey. So, if you're brave enough, take a drive. Just keep an eye out for any unexpected apparitions – you might just meet the bride of death!
extremeHow to drive the scary Piste de Vignols in the Alpes-Maritimes?
🇫🇷 France
Hameau de Vignols is a tiny hamlet nestled way up high in the Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France, sitting pretty at 1,675m (5,495ft) elevation in the stunning Mercantour National Park. Fair warning: if narrow mountain roads make you nervous, this one will have you white-knuckling the steering wheel. The route, called Piste de Vignols, is completely unpaved but doable for most regular cars—though honestly, a high-clearance vehicle is your best bet. The road dumps you out at a small parking area below the hamlet, marked by the Mercantour park sign. Locals call it "the track that never ends," and once you're behind the wheel, you'll understand why. This beast throws everything at you: cramped tunnels, heart-stopping drop-offs, creaky wooden bridges, and sections so tight that two medium-sized cars simply cannot pass each other. Add in multiple river and creek crossings, and things get especially gnarly after heavy rain. Honestly, it's one of the gnarliest drives you can tackle in this region. Starting from a dark, unlit tunnel near Roubion, the drive stretches 7.5 km (4.66 miles) while climbing 357m in elevation. You're looking at an average gradient of 4.76%—steep enough to keep things interesting the entire way.