Where is Refuge de Laval?
France, europe
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moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps, specifically the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. You're aiming for Refuge de Laval, a mountain hideaway clinging to the rock face. The road is totally paved, so no worries there. However, be warned, it gets narrow and a bit bumpy in places!
You can drive pretty far, all the way to the Laval parking lot (which, yeah, you have to pay for). From there, it's a short, 200-meter walk down to the refuge itself. Trust me, it's worth it for the views. Just be aware that parking lot is the end of the line for your car. Get out, stretch your legs and hike a bit to find your mountain paradise!
Related Roads in europe
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!
moderateTartarau Pass is a drive worth taking
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, road trip dreamers, let's talk about Pasul Tărtărău! This bad boy clocks in at a lofty 1,718 meters (that's 5,636 feet!), making it the highest paved road you'll find in Romania. You'll find it straddling Alba, Vâlcea, and Sibiu counties. Snuggled deep in the Parâng Mountains, part of the Southern Carpathians, this route is a real heart-pumper and one of the tougher climbs in eastern Europe. Just a heads-up, it's a no-go during the chilly months – closed for winter! If you're coming from Lacul Oasa, you're in for a 10.8 km climb. The average grade is a manageable 4.2%, but don't get too comfy – there are ramps hitting almost 9%! Get ready for some stunning scenery that will definitely make you forget how much your legs are burning.
moderateWhat is Dark Hedges known for?
🌍 Northern Ireland
Okay, picture this: you're in Northern Ireland, near Ballymoney in County Antrim, and you stumble upon the Dark Hedges. Seriously, this place is magical. It's basically a super-photogenic avenue of beech trees that blew up after it was featured as the King's Road in Game of Thrones, and even popped up in a Transformers flick! The story goes that way back around 1775, some dude named James Stuart planted about 150 of these trees to create an impressive entrance to his mansion, Gracehill House (now a golf club). The result? A totally Instagrammable natural tunnel along Bregagh Road. Getting there is easy; just cruise down Bregagh Road between Armoy and Stranocum. It's a short hop – only about 0.4 miles – but watch out for traffic going both ways. Pro tip: get there early, especially on weekends and holidays, to beat the crowds. Oh, and did I mention it might be haunted? Legend has it that a "Grey Lady" floats around among the trees. Some say it's "Cross Peggy," James Stuart’s daughter, or maybe a maid from the old mansion. And if you're there on Halloween? Supposedly, she's got company! If you're looking for more amazing drives, the Causeway Coastal Route nearby is definitely worth checking out too.
hardA narrow road to the top of Col de Carabes
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Carabes Tucked away in southeastern France, the Col de Carabes sits at a respectable 1,261 meters (4,137 feet) above sea level—perfect for those looking to add some elevation to their road trip repertoire. The D 106 connects La Piarre in the south to La Bâtie-des-Fonds in the north, and let me tell you, this route doesn't mess around. The asphalt is there, which is great, but it's narrow and genuinely steep—think white-knuckle driving if you're not prepared. Coming up from La Piarre, you're looking at nearly 7 kilometers of climbing, gaining 441 meters in elevation along the way. The average gradient sits around 6.3%, which means your engine will be working hard and your brakes will appreciate some love before you tackle this. Expect tight switchbacks and minimal shoulder space, so take your time and stay alert. The scenery's worth it though—this is the French Alps we're talking about, after all. Perfect for adrenaline junkies and road cyclists hunting for their next personal best.