Where is Pavé de la Croix Blanche?
France, europe
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, cycling fans, buckle up! Let's talk about the Pavé de la Croix Blanche, a legendary cobbled sector nestled in the Nord department of the Hauts-de-France region, France.
You'll find this beast just east of Mons-en-Pévèle, in the northern reaches of the country. This isn't just any road; it's a bone-jarring, soul-testing stretch of cobblestones that's been a staple of the Paris-Roubaix and Tour de France races. It's earned its five-star rating – the ultimate difficulty level!
Clocking in at only 3,000 meters, it might not sound like much, but don't be fooled. You'll start at 53 meters elevation and gradually climb to 63 meters, but the changing road conditions will really get you. Be warned: it's often slick and slicker with puddles of rainwater. The first 1,100 meters are decent, but then the cobbles start to get rough. The final 1,100 meters get messy as mud flows down from the surrounding fields.
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Col de Chérine?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're in southeastern France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur to be exact, ready to tackle the Col de Chérine. This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a 13.9 km (8.63 miles) climb up to a whopping 2,295m (7,529ft) above sea level. Get ready for some steep sections topping out at 10.5%, hairpin turns galore, and a narrow track that mostly serves ski lift and lodge maintenance. Oh, and did I mention it gets seriously windy up there? In the winter, forget about it – this road is totally impassable. But the views! As you wind your way up through the passes, you'll be treated to some seriously breathtaking panoramas of Queyras, the Embrunais, and the Pelvoux Massif. D29 is a scenic balcony road in the Alpes-Maritimes. This drive is pure magic, if you're up for the challenge!
moderateWhere is Pic de Carroi?
🌍 Andorra
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near La Massana and Andorra la Vella in the western part of the country, you NEED to check out the road to Pic de Carroi. Nestled high in the Pyrenees, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Clocking in at just under 7 kilometers (around 4.3 miles), don't let the distance fool you. This baby packs a punch with an average gradient of over 14%! You'll definitely be feeling the burn, and your car might too. Speaking of feeling it, you'll be WAY up there. We're talking serious elevation, so be prepared for some breathtaking panoramic views. Word on the street is the road is paved, so no need for a monster truck. Just be sure to check local conditions, especially in winter, as it's likely closed. But trust me, if you're after a memorable driving experience in the Pyrenees, this should be on your bucket list!
moderateDriving through Bardenas Reales, one of only a few deserts in Europe
🇪🇸 Spain
# Bardenas Reales: Spain's Hidden Desert Wonderland Ever dreamed of exploring a European desert? Welcome to Bardenas Reales, tucked away in southeast Navarre, Spain—basically Europe's most jaw-dropping badlands. This place is wild. The landscape here is genuinely surreal. Think scorching summers, freezing winters, and stretches of bone-dry conditions interrupted by sudden downpours. There's also this relentless wind called "cierzo" that really shapes the whole vibe. The result? A landscape that looks absolutely nothing like the lush green hills just a few hours north. Fair warning: right in the heart of the park sits Western Europe's largest military zone, all fenced off and clearly marked. But don't let that stop you—there's 100,000 acres of pure exploration potential. Seriously, you could spend an entire day bouncing between countless tracks that branch off the main route. Just make sure you've got GPS or at least an old-school map and compass, because getting lost here is genuinely easy. What makes Bardenas so special is the contrast. It's incredibly sparse—minimal vegetation, mostly dry riverbeds, zero cities—yet it's surprisingly biodiverse. The scenery is raw and rugged, nothing like typical Spanish countryside. Head here and you'll find several 4x4 tracks cutting through clay, chalk, and sandstone terrain. The dramatic landscapes have made it a Hollywood favorite too—you've seen these badlands in James Bond films and Game of Thrones. It's a place that stays with you.
easyNational Highway 25, a curvy road along the Wiltz river
🌍 Luxembourg
National Highway 25 (Nationalstrooss 25) is a curvy road located in north-western Luxembourg. The road is totally paved. It’s 10.2 km (6.33 miles) running west-east from Wiltz, the capital of the canton Wilt situated on the banks of the river Wiltz towards Kautenbach, a village in the commune of Kiischpelt. Located in the heart of the Ardennes, the scenic drive is pretty curvy running along the right bank of the Wiltz. Road suggested by: Santos Fernandes Kneiff: The Access Road to Luxembourg's Highest Point Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.