Where is the D220-Les Travers road?
France, europe
5.7 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
D220, or "Les Travers" as the locals call it, is a seriously cool little balcony road tucked away in the Isère department of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Think south-eastern France, on the way towards Les Deux Alpes.
This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks! This paved route throws you right into the action with single-track sections and some seriously dramatic overhanging rocks. Forget bringing your RV; heavy vehicles need not apply! It runs for about 5.7 km (3.54 miles) from the D1091 to the D213, hugging a cliff face with views that will make your palms sweat. We're talking a tiny wall separating you from a *major* drop. Traffic lights control the flow through the narrowest section, so be prepared to wait your turn.
Usually, Les Travers is open year-round, but keep an eye out for closures due to rockfalls or early snowfall. Basically, Mother Nature calls the shots here. This road runs parallel to the main D1091, so it's easy to find, but a world apart in terms of thrills.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 5.7 km
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardThe road to Crete de la Pendine is not for the faint of heart
🇫🇷 France
# Crête de la Pendine Want to experience one of France's most thrilling mountain drives? Head to the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France, where you'll find Crête de la Pendine towering at 2,705m (8,874ft) – seriously one of the highest roads you can drive in the country. This isn't your typical scenic cruise. Starting from Station 1600, the 6.7 km (4.16 miles) route to the summit is pure adrenaline. We're talking a completely unpaved chairlift access trail that's brutally steep and narrow, with a punishing 14.92% average gradient and 1,000m of elevation gain. Yeah, your brakes will be working overtime. Nestled in the Massif des Écrins of the French Alps, this adventure is strictly a summer-only affair – and you'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle it. But if you're up for the challenge and your vehicle is up to spec, you'll be rewarded with some absolutely spectacular alpine scenery.
hardThe road to Monte Paularo is not for the faint of heart
🇮🇹 Italy
# Monte Paularo: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure Perched at 1,970 meters (6,463 feet) in the Province of Udine, Monte Paularo—also known as Monte Dimon—is a stunning peak tucked away in Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. Sitting just north of Tolmezzo near the Austrian border, this gem rises high in the Carnic Alps and rewards visitors with glacial lakes like Lago Dimon and even a working cattle farm at the summit. Getting there is half the adventure. The route up, called Strada Provinciale 24 (SP24), is an old military road that's completely unpaved and seriously scenic. Starting from the small town of Ligosullo, you're looking at a 10.3-kilometer (6.4-mile) climb with a brutal 937-meter elevation gain and an average grade of 9.09%. Here's the thing: this isn't a casual Sunday drive. The road narrows dramatically in sections—we're talking barely-room-for-one-car-width tight. Meeting another vehicle head-on means someone's playing a nerve-wracking game of reverse. Those hairpin turns? Many require multiple attempts to get through safely, and the steep drop-offs alongside the narrow stretches definitely keep your adrenaline pumping. This route demands respect and experience. If you're an experienced driver who thrives on challenging mountain roads and can handle some serious exposure, Monte Paularo's dramatic alpine scenery and spectacular views make it an unforgettable drive. Just make sure you know what you're getting into before you point your car up that mountain.
hardCourage is required to drive to Seitan Limania Beach
🇬🇷 Greece
# Seitan Limania: Crete's Hidden Coastal Gem Picture this: a dramatic sandy beach tucked into a canyon on Crete's northeast coast, about 20 kilometers from Chania. Welcome to Seitan Limania—or as locals call it, Stefanou Beach. The name? It's a Turkish legacy meaning "Ports of Satan," and honestly, the name only adds to its mystique. This place is the real deal—totally remote with virtually zero tourist infrastructure, which means it's stayed genuinely pristine and breathtaking. You'll be surrounded by towering rock formations that make you feel like you've discovered something truly secret. Just a heads up: during peak season and weekends, it gets surprisingly crowded for such a tiny beach. If you can swing a visit during shoulder season, do it. There's a snack bar up on the road if you need provisions. Now, let's talk about getting there. The 2.7-kilometer drive from Akropoli is where things get interesting. You're climbing about 198 meters with an average gradient of 7.33%, navigating a series of tight switchbacks wedged between rocky cliffs. It's recently been paved, which helps, but this isn't a casual Sunday cruise—it demands respect and solid driving skills. The road descends steeply toward a small parking area, so definitely engage that handbrake and consider chocking your tires. Once you park, there's a narrow, somewhat exposed 15-minute scramble down to the beach. Wear proper sneakers—this isn't a flip-flop situation. If the drive sounds too intense, honestly? Take a boat instead. Either way, the otherworldly scenery makes it absolutely worth the effort.
easyAdventure along the Haustsjoen Mountain Road
🇳🇴 Norway
# Haustsjøen Mountain Road Ready for some serious Norwegian mountain scenery? The Haustsjøen Mountain Road winds through Innlandet County in southern Norway, and it's absolutely worth the detour. Named after the picturesque Haustsjøen Lake, this 22 km (13.67 miles) stretch takes you from Grimsbu all the way east to Fylkesveg 686 Road near Alvdal—and yeah, it's a toll road, but trust us, the views make it worthwhile. Here's the real talk: the entire route is unpaved, which adds to the adventure. You *can* tackle most of it in a regular car, but once you hit Reinslia heading east, good ground clearance becomes essential for that final couple of kilometers. If you want the smoothest ride and total peace of mind, bring a 4x4. The road climbs to a peak elevation of 1,035m (3,395 ft), snaking through absolutely stunning mountain terrain. Along the way, you'll spot charming little mountain huts scattered throughout the landscape that feel straight out of a Nordic fairy tale. It's the kind of drive that makes you understand why people fall in love with Norway's wilderness.