Where is Col de Vars?
France, europe
13 km
2,108 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Col de Vars, a proper alpine pass chilling at 2,108m (that's 6,916ft) in the French Alps. You'll find it in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, straddling Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, smack-bang on the Route des Grandes Alpes. Basically, it's the link between the Ubaye and Queyras valleys, plus Embrun – think stunning scenery!
The D902, a fully paved road, is your route to the top. It's about 13 km (8 miles) winding up from Vars to Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye. Be warned, those climbs are steep in sections, with gradients hitting a punchy 12%!
Is it worth it? Absolutely. Think small, cute French villages and dramatic mountain vistas. The summit has a bar (essential!) and a parking spot to soak it all in.
This road is famous too; a regular on the Tour de France. Expect some company in summer, as it’s a popular route, and one of the few that cuts through this part of the Alps. Originally built way back in 1893 as a military road, it's generally open all year round unless heavy snow shuts things down in winter.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,108 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Road D80?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because the D80 in Savoie, France, is a WILD ride! South of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, this little number, also known as Route de Villargondran, is a fully paved but super narrow and steep climb. We're talking 10.7 km (6.64 miles) packed with a whopping 38 hairpin turns and some sections hitting a 10% gradient! Starting in the village of Villargondran (654m), you'll wind your way up to Albiez-le-Jeune (1,368m), gaining a massive 714 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 6.67% folks, so prepare for some serious shifting. It's an amazing driving experience with incredible views... if you can keep your eyes on the road between those hairpin turns!
moderateCol du Merdassier
🇫🇷 France
Okay, so picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps, specifically the Haute-Savoie area. You're aiming for the Col du Merdassier, a sweet mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,500 meters (that's around 4,921 feet!). The road, known as the D160, is paved, so no worries there. BUT, pro tip: this high up, snow can shut things down without warning. Plus, the area gets super misty, which can make for a white-knuckle drive if visibility drops. Keep an eye on the weather! The views though? Totally worth it. Think classic Alpine scenery, fresh air, and bragging rights for conquering another awesome pass. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
hardMoucherotte
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got the inside scoop on an insane climb in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France: Moucherotte! This beast of a peak tops out at 1,863 meters (6,112 feet), and the road to the summit is pure, unadulterated gravel. Heads up, it's usually snowed in from October to June, weather depending. Here’s the backstory: there used to be this super swanky hotel, Le Ermitage, built in '59, complete with a cable car straight from Grenoble. It was THE place to be, attracting the jet set, even Brigitte Bardot! There was also a 90-meter ski jump built for the 1968 Grenoble Olympics. Sadly, the good times didn't last, and the hotel and lift were abandoned, falling into disrepair. The hotel and summit even played a role in Brigitte Bardot's movie "La Bride sur le cou" ("The Bride of the neck"). The ruins of the hotel were finally demolished along with the cable car station in the summer of 2001. Now, about that climb… It's only 4.3 kilometers from Saint Nizier du Moucherotte, but pack your courage! You'll gain a whopping 698 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 16.23% – seriously steep! But trust me, the views are SO worth it. You’re smack-dab in the Vercors Natural Regional Park. The Moucherotte is the most northerly summit of the Vercors massif, which means panoramic vistas galore. There are official viewpoints, but honestly, you'll want to pull over everywhere. From the top, you can see the French Alps (including Mont Blanc!), Grenoble, and the Chartreuse massif. To the west lies the Four Mountain region of the Vercors. And if you look south, you'll spot peaks like Pic Saint Michel, Grand Moucherolle and Mont Aiguille. Get your cameras ready, because the Moucherotte summit is a photographer's dream!
moderateHow to Get by Car to the Stunning Veneguera Beach on Canary Islands?
🇪🇸 Spain
# Playa Veneguera: Gran Canaria's Hidden Gem Tucked away in the southwestern corner of Gran Canaria, one of Spain's Canary Islands, lies Playa Veneguera—a stunning 370-meter stretch of beach that feels like stepping back in time. This is one of those rare, genuinely untouched beaches you actually still find on the island, and trust me, it's worth the adventure to get there. The beach itself is a mix of black sand and rocks depending on the tide, framed by some seriously gorgeous landscapes. The real story here, though, is the road getting there. Fair warning: it's rough. Like, really rough. We're talking an unpaved, 12.8-kilometer (7.95-mile) journey from Veneguera that winds through banana, papaya, and mango plantations in a single-lane gravel road. You'll be shifting between first and second gear the whole way, navigating sections of sand and gravel with rocks that can pop up without warning and make the road impassable. A 4x4 with high clearance is essential—non-negotiable. The bumpy ride gets progressively worse as you approach the coast, and honestly, it's so teeth-rattling you'll barely notice the scenery flying by (which is actually pretty beautiful, if you can focus on it). But here's the thing: once you arrive, it's totally worth it. This is a genuine escape where nature lovers can actually unplug. There's no mobile phone reception out here, and help is nowhere close, so plan accordingly. The beach has been a favorite camping spot for decades, and the solitude? Absolutely priceless.