Where is the Tunnel de Parpaillon?
France, europe
39.6 km
2,650 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: the Parpaillon Tunnel. We're talking seriously high altitude – 2,650 meters (that's almost 8,700 feet!). You'll find it nestled way up in the French Alps, specifically in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, marking the border between the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Hautes-Alpes departments. This old military road, D29 and D39T, connects the Ubaye Valley to Embrun.
Originally built way back in the late 1800s/early 1900s, this route stretches for almost 40 kilometers (24+ miles). It’s rugged, to say the least. We're talking unpaved, narrow sections and some serious drop-offs, plus some crazy steep inclines (up to 13%!). Word is a 4x4 is essential. Oh, and heads up: the upper reaches of the road are rough, rocky, and bumpy.
The tunnel itself is about 520 meters (1,710 feet) long. Keep in mind that due to a landslide and structural damage, the tunnel is closed indefinitely.
Historically, this was a super important route, but it's been long abandoned, which adds to the whole "end of the world" vibe. That said, the scenery is absolutely incredible. Just be prepared for a wild ride – and maybe a little solitude!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 39.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,650 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
hardTsouka Petsik
🇬🇷 Greece
# Tsouka Petsik: Greece's Wild Mountain Adventure Ready for some serious peak-bagging? Tsouka Petsik is calling—a stunning 1,990m (6,528ft) mountain perched right on the Greece-Albania border in the Gramos range, deep in Epirus's Ioannina region. This is legitimately one of the highest drivable roads you'll find in Greece, and it's absolutely not for the faint of heart. Here's the real talk: the road up is all gravel and rocky terrain that gets genuinely sketchy in spots. Bumpy, tippy, and relentlessly steep—you'll want serious mountain driving skills and honestly, a 4x4 is basically essential here. Winter? Fuggedaboutit. The road becomes completely impassable once the snow rolls in, so timing your visit is crucial. But if you're up for the challenge, the payoff is massive. You're trading smooth asphalt for raw, untamed nature and views that'll blow your mind. Just make sure unpaved mountain roads are actually your thing before you commit to this one. This isn't a casual Sunday drive—it's a full-on mountain adventure that rewards the brave and capable.
hardWhere is Clue de la Maglia?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Alpes-Maritimes region of France, about to hit one of the area's most famous and giggle-inducing drives: Clue de la Maglia! This canyon, a masterpiece sculpted by the Vallon de la Maglia river near Breil-sur-Roya, is a total stunner, all white limestone and sparkling water. The road itself? Mostly paved, but keep an eye out for some gravel patches near the end to keep things interesting. It's a roughly 3.7 km (2.3 miles) shot, snaking its way from the D2204 (Route du Col de Brouis) near Breil-sur-Roya over to La Maglia. Now, here's the kicker: it's narrow. Like, *really* narrow. Think dramatic cliffs, a dark, unlit tunnel, and sections where two cars definitely can't pass at the same time. This isn't a road for the faint of heart. Brush up on your reversing skills, because you might need to back up a ways on a skinny ledge! But if you're up for a bit of an adventure and love breathtaking scenery, Clue de la Maglia is an absolute must. Just take it slow and soak it all in!
hardWhere is Paso de los Lobos?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventurers, let's talk about Paso de los Lobos, or Wolves' Pass! You'll find this stunner of a mountain pass nestled in the province of Salamanca, Spain. Think Castile and León, south of Salamanca city, smack-dab in the Sierra de Francia mountains. Reaching 1,500m (4,921ft), the pass offers killer views (there's even a viewpoint and tiny parking lot) and acts as the launchpad to conquer the Peña de Francia peak. The road itself (SA-203 / SA-CV-178) stretches for about 35 km (22 miles) between El Cabaco and Serradilla del Arroyo. Paved all the way, it’s a rollercoaster of hairpin turns and some seriously steep climbs (nearing 10% in places!). So, if you get carsick easily, maybe pack some ginger ale. While technically open year-round, keep an eye on weather reports, especially in winter. Snow can shut things down pretty quickly. But when it's clear? Prepare for some unreal scenery!
moderateA great paved road to Col de la Faucille in the Jura Mountains
🇫🇷 France
Col de la Faucille is a legendary mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,323m (4,341ft) in the Ain department of France, just north of Geneva near the Swiss border. This fully paved beauty—known as RN5-D1005—stretches an impressive 48.4km (30 miles) from the charming town of Gex up to Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux, taking you through the stunning Jura Mountains. What makes this pass special? It's been a Tour de France favorite since 1951, and for good reason. The road winds through countless curves with a handful of thrilling hairpin turns that'll keep you alert and entertained. It's a cyclist's dream and a gear-head's playground, drawing enthusiasts from all over. Fair warning though: traffic can be pretty heavy here, especially on weekdays when trucks treat this route like their personal shortcut to Dijon. If you want a more relaxed drive with better scenery appreciation, aim for weekends. The mountain scenery is absolutely worth the trip whenever you decide to tackle it—it's one of the Jura's most celebrated climbs for a reason.