This is a list of the highest paved roads in Europe. It includes roads that are at least 1 kilometre (0.62 miles) long and whose culminating point is at least 2,000 metres (6,562 feet) above sea level. This height approximately corresponds to that of the highest settlements in Europe and to the tree line in several mountain ranges such as the Alps and the Pyrenees, where most of the highest roads are located.
Some of the listed roads are closed to motorized vehicles, although they are normally all accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. These mountain roads are visited by drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and hikers for their scenery and often feature in the routes of European bicycle races such as the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de Suisse, the Tour of Austria, the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. Due to snow conditions, most of the high roads are closed between (late) autumn and late spring/early summer.
Notes:
Some places have several names, usually because of locating in an area with multiple official languages or locating on a language border.
Near the highest point of the road there is often a sign that indicates the name and the elevation of the pass/hill/summit. The sign may, though, indicate a wrong elevation, being usually some old measurement. Also, popular navigation devices may present inaccurate elevations.
Below the list of highest roads is a list of the highest motorways (controlled-access highways) in Europe. It includes motorways whose culminating point is over 1,000 metres (3,281 feet) above sea level.
Through the pass runs also a gravel high road, Strada dei Cannoni (or Varaita-Maira-Kammstraße, VMKS), an old military road: Its western end is c. 6 km away at Colle Bicocca (2,285 m). Eastwards it runs past Colle Rasticias (2,176 m, by 6.7 km), via Colle Birrone (1,698 m, by 14.5 km) and Colle della Ciabra (1,723 m, by 22 km) and then asphalted road to SP240 (crossing by 27 km).
Side road from Col de l'Iseran -road, from c. 1,815 m. Asphalted road ends at a small parking area, below reservoir lake Ruisseau de la Sassière. Gravel road continues 3.5 km to reservoir lake Lac de la Sassière, the dam is at 2,460 m (height 22 m, length 315 m).
Steep access road of 3.3 km from Puerto de Navacerrada (1,858 m) to Bola del Mundo mountain, also known as Alto de las Guarramillas. The road is paved with rough cement and is not open to regular road traffic. Soon after beginning there is a barrier. Some ramps reach steepness of 20 %.[27] On the top there are antennas of the Spanish national TV (TVE).
On the north side of the pass the asphalted road descents to reservoir Lac de Sénin (alt. 2,034 m, dam height 42 m), ending soon after at 2,048 m. Only a gondola lift to the Gsteig direction.
Road from Err is narrow up to road D89, crossing at 1,790 m. Road D89 is used by most of the traffic. A small parking area at 2,040 m and no motorized vehicles sign at 2,045 m. Asphalted road ends by a ski lift of Err-Puigmal skiing area. Gravel road continues c. 1 km, max height 2,239 m, only paths thereafter. See also nearby Cim de Coma Morera, listed below.
Views of the Steingletscher glacier. Asphalted side road of 0.3 km to Sustenpasshöhe (alt. 2259 m) is a dead end for vehicles, with only a hiking/MTB route to the eastern side. Length of the Sustenpass tunnel is 325 m.
From the parking area at the top, a narrow paved road continues 800 m to c. 2,180 m. After the pavement ends, the road quality drops and it soon becomes a path which is blocked with stones, before reaching the Spanish border at Port de Boucharo/Puerto de Bujaruelo at 2,270 m. In the 20th century, there were plans to build a road to the pass also from the Spain.
There are two asphalted roads between crossings at 1,665 and 1,986 m, western option being 2.7 km longer and going via Coll de Pradelles (1,991 m). Road ends at a fenced parking area. Fence protects hikers’ and ranchers’ cars from the cattle, walking freely in the area. Height of Cim de Coma Morera, a flat grassy hill, is 2,208 m. See also nearby Estación de esquí de Err-Puigmal, listed above.
Side road from the road to Lac de Cap-de-Long, listed below. Road reaches maximum just before Lac d'Aumar (alt. 2,192 m). Road continues past it, 1.2 km to nearby Lac d'Aubert (alt. 2,148 m).
Asphalted side road (7.7 km) starts below/south of the Col du Mont Cenis (listed below) and ends by restaurant Ferme des Coulours. Last c. 100 m to the grassy pass (2,184 m) is gravel.
Listed formerly as Oberläger. From Grindelwald: Spillstattstrasse, Geisstutzstrasse (steep), Bussalpstrasse. 130 m before Bussalp turn right (no sign). From Mittelläger to crossing at Oberläger (2,022 m) the road is steep (1.3 km/15 %). 1.0 km road (sign: Burg) to Helkhütte has even steeper sections and also 2 gravel sections (0.2 & 0.3 km). Helkhütte is a cattle farm. Its name is carved to its eastern wall. Grassy unnamed pass by the road is at 2,157 m. From the crossing at Oberläger, another steep road (130 m) to 2,044 m. Bussalpstrasse is not for motorirized vehicles (except for authorized).
The Transalpina road (DN67C) is the highest paved road in Romania.[42] Widening and asphalting works started in 2010, but are not yet finished. c. 2-3 km of roadbed-only - alternating with asphalted areas - and several viaducts with only one-lane accessibility and tens of unfinished ditches across the road for collecting water from the slopes, which require slowing down to 5-10 km/h. It also lacks safety elements - parapets, reflective aids, road marks, road signs. c. 6 km north is another pass, Pasul Muntiu (c. 2,095 m). Between the passes, the road descends to c. 1,940 m.
Tallest dam in Europe, 285 m (6th tallest dam overall), length 700 m. Lac des Dix (alt. 2,364 m), the reservoir lake, is the largest lake above 2,000 m in the Alps.
Side road D87A from Col de l'Iseran -road, from c. 1,800 m. The road first runs along the Tignes Dam (altitude 1,790 m, height 160 m, length 295 m) by reservoir lake Lac du Chevril and continues then past Tignes (partly in a tunnel) and past Lac de Tignes to a roundabout at 2,100 m, which is below the village of Tignes Val Claret.
The grassy geographical pass is at c. 2,095 m. The road reaches higher. On the other side of the pass the asphalted road continues 3.9 km (to near Chalet La Cort), dead end at c. 1,820 m. Along the way, at 1,936 m, a gravel road down to Vezza d'Oglio.
After reaching this small village, the paved road descents to 2,116 m. Juf is the highest village with permanent residents in the Alps, although Trepalle village stretches up higher, to 2,210 m.
Highest point above Arolla village (alt. 2,009 m). Or, instead of turning right to Arolla village, pavement of Val d'Arolla -road ends at 2,027 m[51] (after a pumping station).
Road BV-4024 from north of Bagà. At the top, the paved road continues 1.9 km to 2,025 m, where a gravel road continues towards La Molina and Masella ski resorts (crossing to those is another 1.9 km later at 1,950 m). Note: Nearby is 5 km long Túnel del Cadí. The tunnel and its access roads are forbidden for pedestrians and cyclists.
Paved from Passo del Maniva (1,664 m). Unpaved (at least partly) from Passo di Croce Domini (1,892 m). Not the highest point of the road but access to slightly higher points may be unpaved.
Access road to a reservoir lake. After reaching the highest point (2,102 m, unnamed pass), road becomes a gravel road and descents to Tauernmoossee (2,023 m). In Enzingerboden (1,470 m), at the beginning of the access road, there is a barrier.
Listed formerly as Steingletscher. Side road of 2.8 km from the Sustenpass road, from Hotel Steingletscher (alt. 1,863 m). Toll road for motorirized vehicles (5 SFr). Road has 3 steeper sections and it ends at a parking area (sign: Steilimigletscher 2095 m). Only hiking paths to the surrounding glaciers.
Possibly used by Hannibal. Hors catégorie climb in the Tour de France. Note that the pass is located c. 1 km north of Lac du Mont-Cenis, a big reservoir lake (dam altitude 1,979 m, height 95 m, length 1400 m). By the lake the road reaches higher, c. 2,090 m. See also nearby Col du Petit Mont Cenis, listed above.
Ski resort. Side road D224 from the road to La Plagne (D221). 3.9 km from a roundabout at c. 1,885 m. Or only 3.6 km, if choosing a shortcut through Plagne Bellecôte at 1,910 m. See also nearby Plagne Aime 2000, listed above.
Pavement ends at a small parking area, highest point of the road is just before that. Gravel road continues to the closed and ruined Hotel Paradiso del Cevedale at 2,090 m.
Side road from Colle della Lombarda -road SP255 (from 1,815 m). Just before the Santuario (at 2,015 m), a side road of 0.6 km to a small crucifix at 2,070 m.
Side road from Passo del Foscagno -road (SS301), from "Curva Arnoga" at c. 1,880 m. For motorized vehicles, this is a toll road (5 €). The asphalted road ends after 4.3 km at P4 (parking area 4, Parking Altumeira) and gravel road continues to Rifugio Viola at 2,314 m. From nearby crossing, a poor gravel road leads to Passo di Val Viola and Swiss border at 2,470 m.
Paved road continues past Hotel Salastrains, to 2,060 m. Old height 2,049 means the roundabout just before the hotel. See also nearby Via Marguns etc. (Suvretta roads), listed below.
Side road from Passo di Predil road (from c. 1,090 m). Highest paved climb in Slovenia. Mangartsko sedlo (Mangart Saddle) is the name of the nearby pass (2,072 m). Mangart is the name of the nearby mountain (2,679 m).
Steep access road to a paragliding site. From the main road D618 (roundabout at 1,589 m) choose the side road D618B. After 0.7 km (at 1,638 m) turn right to Rue du Berdaguer. After 0.9 km (at 1,680 m) a steep right turn to the 3.27 km/11.3 % access road, with a barrier very soon. The road has 5 steeper sections, some concrete-paved, length of each is 100–200 m. The steepest section is at least 20 %, after a short bridge at 1,865 m. The paved road ends at a small parking area. From there a sandy path of 0.23 km leads to the paragliding site at 2,060 m, with a beautiful scenery.
Side road of 6.4 km from road SR46 (from 1,560 m). The asphalted road ends at a barrier above the parking area. Behind the barrier the road is concrete-paved for some hundred meters. Close to the barrier there is an inclined elevator (Ascensore inclinato Barma-Cheneil) which leads to the village of Cheneil (alt. 2,105 m, "about 8 residents").
There are two barriers at 2,042 m. Behind the barrier the road descents to Boí Taüll ski resort at 2,035 m. Behind the other barrier the paved road ascents to 2,051 m.
For motorized vehicles, Nockalmstraße is a toll road. Its highest point, Eisentalhöhe at 2,042 m, is actually not a pass, but a high road past a nearby hill (Eisenthalhöhe 2,180 m). Schiestelscharte at 2,024 m, another high point, located 13 km south-east along the road, is a pass. It is also called Glockenhütte, which is the name of the restaurant/shop there.
Highest point is at the northern end of the 884 m long Bâlea Tunnel. Also an asphalted side road of 0.5 km to Cabana Bâlea Lac, located by Bâlea Lac (alt. 2,034 m). Highest point of the side road is 2,045 m, by Cabana Paltinu. (Also a short private road to Refugiul Salvamont, a mountain rescue center at 2,050 m.) The Transfăgărășan (road DN7C) was named the "Best Driving Road in the world" (Top Gear).
Side road from Col Saint-Martin -road M2565 (from c. 1,380 m). The paved road ends at a parking area. Lacs des Millefonts are five small lakes at an altitude of 2,230–2,380 m, along a hiking trail.
Via Puzzainas, asphalted to 2,015 m[67] and continues after a barrier as a gravel road to ski station Signal (2,130 m) and from there down to Hotel Salastrains, listed above.
Via Suvretta, asphalted to 2,004 m[68] and continues as a gravel road/path towards the mountains (Pass Suvretta at 2,617 m).
4.5 km access road to the Lai da Curnera reservoir, from the Oberalppass road (from 1,830 m). Along the road, a barrier for motorirized vehicles. The highest point of the road is 0.9 km before the Lai da Curnera dam (alt. 1,958 m, height 153 m, length 350 m).
Bettmeralp, Riederalp and Fiescheralp are car-free resorts. Highest paved roads:
Bettmeralp (2,037 m) is a cattle farm, located above Bettmersee (2,009 m) and Bettmeralp village (1,970 m).
Riederalp (1,905 m) village is generally located lower, but there is a steep concrete-paved road to near Hotel Riederfurka, to 2,064 m.
Nearby car-free resort Fiescheralp has a paved street through the village. The length of the street is c. 0.8 km, max elevation 2,215 m. To get there, take a cable car from Fiesch or path from Bettmeralp or gravel road above Lax.
At the top there is a big parking area, Naturlànd (eco park) and an animal park for kids. And ’Tobotronc’, the longest mountain coaster in the world (5.3 km). Nordic skiing area in the winter.
Not for motorirized vehicles (except for authorized). From Grindelwald, road towards Grosse Scheidegg pass. At 1,160 m turn left to Regenmattenstrasse (1.3 km), at 1,290 m turn right to Alpweg (steep, 4.4 km/14.7 %), at 1,935 m turn left (1.1 km). More popular access via Grosse Scheidegg (1,962 m) but after that there are 4 gravel sections. From the highest asphalted point a gravel road 1.5 km to First ski station at 2,165 m.
Side road of 4.4 km from road D4C (from 1,795 m), via Coll de Brilles at 1,965 m. Last 150 m the road is gravel, to old army barracks at 2,034 m. The road goas past an army shooting area, thus there are restrictions for entering the area. There is a timetable sign at the beginning of the road.
Side road from Würzjoch / Passo delle Erbe -road SP29 (from 1,688 m). Gravel road (Dolomiten Panoramaweg) continues to Plosehütte at c. 2,450 m and near Telegraph Plose at 2,486 m.
Along the road, 1 tunnel (90 m) and 2 gravel sections (0.4 & 0.1 km). Asphalted road ends above lake Lai da Vons (alt. 1,991 m). Gravel road continues 0.65 km to an unnamed(?) pass at 2,073 m, descending then towards Andeer.
Hippach and either Zellberg, Aschau in Zillertal, Ried in Zillertal or Kaltenbach depending on the variant you choose
For motorized vehicles, this is a toll road. The highest point of the road is 250 m from restaurant/Alpengasthof Melchboden. Also, name Arbiskopf seems to be used, but actually it is the name of a nearby grassy hill (2,133 m).
Side road D68 from Col de Turini (1,604 m). The road becomes a one-way loop road (9 km) at Baisse de Tueis (1,889 m). The highest point of the loop road is near the Redoute des Trois Communes, 0.7 km from an unnamed(?) pass at 1,986 m. The lowest point is at c. 1,780 m. The area has some war history, see Battle of Authion.
Side road D60 from road D118, to a reservoir lake. By 2 km of the road, there is a toll station for motorized vehicles and a parking area for those who rather want to use a shuttle bus. By 7.7 km the road becomes narrower. Asphalted road ends just before the lake, by Auberge du Carlit. Parking areas are lower, at c. 2,005 m. Dam is at 2,017 m (length 380 m), water level is at 2,016 m.
Access road to two reservoir lakes, Plan-d'Aval and Plan-d'Amont. Road becomes gravel at 2,012 m, already by the first lake (Plan-d'Aval). Plan-d'Aval dam is at 1,948 m (side road downwards), Plan d'Amont dam is at 2,078 m (height 47 m, length 345 m). Gravel road continues to c. 2,200 m.
Italian name is Cervinia, French name is Breuil, commercial name is Breuil-Cervinia. In the area, there are several asphalted streets above 2,000 m, of which the highest reach:
Strada per Cielo Alto c. 2,170 m
Via Giomein c. 2,140 m
Segnavia 13EE c. 2,120 m. This road has a barrier at the beginning, and continues as a gravel road to Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi all'Oriondé at 2,802 m.
Official name? Zischgalm is the name of the restaurant/bar/pension near the highest asphalted point. The height of the geographical pass is 1,996 m, named Reiterjoch / Passo Pampeago. From there, the road gradually ascends to Zischgalm (c. 800 m from the pass). Last part of the road was asphalted in 2012 (from Pampeago village to Zischgalm), for Giro d'Italia.
Hors catégorie climb in the Tour de France. About the name: PORT de Pailhères is a grassy pass at c. 1,970 m (with no road to the valley on the eastern side). Paved road turns there to northeast (if coming from west), towards the nearby COL de Pailhères.
