Where is Refuge du Plan du Lac?
France, europe
15.1 km
2.284 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the French Alps, Savoie to be exact, heading to Refuge du Plan du Lac. This mountain hut sits way up high at 2,370m (7,775ft) inside Vanoise National Park.
The drive starts in Val-Cenis, winding for 15.1 km (9.38 miles). Most of the road's paved, but get ready for some steep climbs, hairpin turns, and a few bumps along the way. The views just keep getting better and better as you ascend!
Now, heads up, after the parking lot for Refuge - L'auberge de Bellecombe, only authorized vehicles are allowed. Unless you have permission from Vanoise National Park, you'll need to park and hike the final stretch. Bikes aren't even allowed.
But trust me, the views are worth it. The first bit's steep, zigzagging through a sparse forest with killer views of the valley below. Once you're at the refuge, BAM! Panoramic views of Pointe de la Réchasse, Dent Parachée, Grande Casse, and glaciers galore. Don't forget to check out Chapelle Saint-Barthélemy just beyond the refuge. It's a cute little chapel at 2,284m!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 15.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 2.284 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardAn epic road to Port de Bales in the French Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Port de Balès: A High-Alpine Adventure in the Pyrenees Sitting pretty at 1,760m (5,774ft) in the heart of the Occitanie region, Port de Balès is one of France's most thrilling mountain passes. Straddling the border between Hautes-Pyrénées and Haute-Garonne—just a stone's throw from Spain—this is seriously dramatic territory. The fully paved route (D925 and D51D) is no joke. This narrow, winding climb demands respect, with vertiginous drop-offs, zero guardrails, and some seriously hair-raising sections that'll get your adrenaline pumping. The good news? You'll barely see another car up here. The bad news? There's absolutely nothing at the summit, so come prepared. The road has quite the backstory. Until 1980, this was literally a mule track. When it finally got paved, Mother Nature had other ideas—winter snow and neglect trashed it so badly it became nearly impassable. Enter the Tour de France organizers in 2006, who resurfaced the entire route while scouting new Pyrenean stages. Talk about a dramatic makeover. This 25.3km (15.72-mile) route climbs from Bourg-d'Oueil in the south to Mauléon-Barousse in the north, with maximum gradients hitting a punishing 13.3%. Both the Tour and Vuelta have tackled this beast. Winter? Forget about it—snow closures are the norm for extended periods. But when conditions allow, you'll reach a spectacular broad summit with jaw-dropping 360-degree views of snow-capped Spanish peaks. Absolutely worth the white-knuckle drive.
extremeWhat you need to know about the 4x4 track to Forcella d’Entova
🇮🇹 Italy
# Forcella d'Entova: Not Your Average Mountain Drive Tucked away in Lombardy's Province of Sondrio, Forcella d'Entova sits pretty at a whopping 2,802 meters (9,192 feet) above sea level. This isn't your typical leisurely mountain cruise—it's legitimately extreme terrain that demands respect. Starting from San Giuseppe, you're looking at an 11.9 km (7.4 miles) grind uphill with a gnarly 1,203-meter elevation gain. That translates to an average gradient of about 10%, with some sections pushing the limits even further. Fair warning: this track was originally carved out for a ski resort that never materialized, so you can imagine the state of things. The road itself is narrow, riddled with deep washouts, loose gravel, rocks, and the occasional landslide. After heavy rain? Forget about it—it transforms into a muddy, slippery mess. Honestly, 4x4 vehicles with serious ground clearance are non-negotiable here. This isn't the place to test your sedan's capabilities. The good news is that Forcella d'Entova ranks among Italy's highest roads, and the views absolutely justify the white-knuckle drive. Just know that private vehicles face a barrier blockade during winter months (September through June), and several mountain refuges dot the summit area if you need a rest stop. This one's for hardcore adventurers only.
moderateStorseisundet Bridge: a different shape from whichever angle you view it
🇳🇴 Norway
# Storseisundet Bridge: Norway's Mind-Bending Marvel Tucked along Norway's dramatic coastline sits the Storseisundet Bridge, part of the legendary Atlanterhavsveien (Atlantic Road). This isn't just any bridge—it's an optical illusion on wheels. Here's the wild part: as you approach, it genuinely looks like a diving board. Seriously. The bridge appears to just... end. Your brain screams that you're about to launch your car straight into the sea below. Spoiler alert: you won't. It's totally safe, despite locals cheekily calling it the "drunk bridge." At 260 metres long with a maximum clearance of 23 metres above the water, Storseisundet is the star of the Atlantic Road's eight bridges. The Daily Mail famously dubbed it the "Road to Nowhere" back in 2011, and honestly? The nickname fits the vibe perfectly. What makes this place so special is the engineering trickery. Those sharp bends create a rollercoaster effect as you drive, and here's the kicker—you literally can't see the road ahead once you're on the curve. It vanishes right in front of you. Every angle gives you a completely different perspective of the structure, which explains why it looks different depending on where you're viewing it from. Opened in 1989, this paved bridge has become one of the world's most jaw-dropping stretches of road. Fair warning though: expect your heart to skip a beat before you realize the magic is just clever design. Welcome to Norway's most spectacular optical illusion.
extremeTannensee
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Tannensee Alpine Adventure Tannensee is this absolutely stunning high mountain lake tucked away in Obwalden, Switzerland, sitting pretty at 1,976m (6,482ft) above sea level. It's the kind of place that makes your heart skip a beat. Now, getting up there? That's where things get interesting. The road is paved—so far so good—but it's narrow and twisty with some seriously steep sections that can hit 15% grades. This isn't your typical Sunday cruise. Snow and ice can show up out of nowhere, even when you'd expect summer weather, so you'll definitely want to keep your wits about you as you climb. Because of that crazy high altitude, winter snowfall is basically guaranteed, and the road can shut down faster than you can say "avalanche" whenever conditions get gnarly. If you're planning a visit, definitely check ahead before you head out—getting turned away at the gate after a long drive isn't fun. But honestly? If you love mountain driving and can handle the challenges, this road delivers views and an adrenaline rush you won't forget. Just respect the mountain and drive smart.