Where is Verçenik Yaylası?
Turkey, europe
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hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Verçenik Yaylası, a seriously high-up plateau clinging to the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey, right on the border of Rize and Erzurum. Getting here? It's an adventure, to say the least. We're talking a completely unpaved road that hugs the riverbank – super rocky and rough. Seriously, you NEED a 4x4 with good clearance.
The climb to the top starts near Yaylalar Köyü and it's a hefty 22km to the summit. You'll be gaining a massive 1,582 meters in elevation, so buckle up for a pretty steep average gradient of 7.2%.
Some say it’s a tough ride, but totally doable if you take it slow and watch out for those rocks. And here's the thing: the difficulty of getting here is part of the magic. Keep in mind there aren't any shops on the plateau. A handful of locals and workers call this place home, so bring your own food and drinks. While not every car can make it up here, the reward is one of the highest and most breathtaking plateaus you'll ever see. For a similar experience, check out Koycegiz Gecidi in Erzurum!
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!
hardPico Labert
🇪🇸 Spain
Alright thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're chasing views in the Spanish Pyrenees, Pico Labert is calling your name. This peak sits high in the Ribagorza region of Aragon, clocking in at a cool 2,316m (7,598ft). We're talking one of Spain's highest roads, people! Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road to the top, nestled in the Benasque Valley, is a gravel grinder – rocky, bumpy, and ready to test your off-road skills. Think service road for ski lifts and mountain lodges. The climb is seriously steep, with sections hitting a wild 30% grade. Loose stones under your tires are part of the fun, and things get even rockier near the top. Hit this one in late August for the best shot at clear conditions, but be warned: the wind is a constant companion up here. Even in summer, snow days aren't out of the question. Winter? Forget about it—brutally cold doesn't even begin to cover it. But hey, if you're up for an adventure, the views are absolutely worth it!
extremeThe Wild Road to Colle del Preit
🇮🇹 Italy
# Colle del Preit Nestled in Cuneo province in southwestern Piedmont, Italy, Colle del Preit sits pretty at 2,065 meters (6,774 feet) above sea level. This high-altitude pass sits just east of Gardetta Pass and offers one seriously challenging ride. The road up here is legitimately narrow and demanding—we're talking hairpin turns galore and sections that'll make your palms sweat. Good news though: it's been paved in recent years after spending way too long as a rough, unpaved mess. Still, heads up: the final stretch is off-limits to regular cars, so you'll need to hoof it on foot if you want to reach the very top. It's a pretty solitary drive, though you'll spot the occasional adventurous tourist making the climb. Starting from the small town of Preit, you're looking at 5.4 kilometers (3.35 miles) of uphill action that'll net you 524 meters of elevation gain—that's an average gradient of 9.7%. But here's where it gets spicy: the last push to the summit kicks up to a gnarly 16% gradient on some stretches. Definitely not your grandma's Sunday drive, but if you're into dramatic Alpine scenery and a genuine test of your driving skills, this one's calling your name.
hardWhere is Col de Cibières?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Col de Cibières! This wild ride sits way up high in the French Alps, at a whopping 2,525 meters (that's 8,284 feet!). You'll find it nestled in the Hautes-Alpes department of France, part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Now, heads up: this isn't your Sunday drive kinda road. We're talking a full 7 kilometers (4.34 miles) of unpaved glory. Seriously, it's rocky – big stones everywhere! A 4x4 is definitely your best friend here. Oh, and forget about it in winter – totally snowed in. But if you're up for the challenge, the views are epic. Think classic alpine scenery, rugged and raw. You'll find the start of the route as a turn off the paved D234T Road on its north side, leading to Gorges de la Blanche. Get ready for an unforgettable climb!