Dangerous Roads

Balcony roads are often dangerous roads, but with stunning views. These routes should not be attempted by those who don't know how to reverse.

Some are so narrow that if two vehicles meet each other, one might have to reverse for a long way to find a place wide enough to pass.

There are few roads like this in Europe, most were built in the 1800's. I don't think there is a Balcony road in the UK. If you can cope with the height and the prospect of a very long drop, then most of these roads are there to travel.

Balcony roads are carved into the mountainside. It’s incredibly disorienting to look over the edge, or even just to see the valleys a couple thousand feet below you. The roads are cut along a cliff face where there is only a foot high wall separating you and a sheer drop to the valley below, but you won't be taking your eyes off the road I hope.

Combe Laval

Recognized as the most magnificent road in the French Alps, this road through Combe Laval was constructed between 1861 and 1898 and originally served for the transportation of timber from the Forêt de Lente to St-Jean-en-Royans. Right now it mainly attracts cyclists eager to face the challenge of a steep climb and be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the Vercors region. The most spectacular stretch of the road, between St. Jean-en-Royans and Col de la Machine, cuts into the cliff-like side of the gorge and runs via a series of short, narrow tunnels. Nearly 8 mi (13 km) of lush, alpine beauty and dizzying heights. To go through this road, at Saint Jean en Royans, take the D 76 at the end of the village, direction Col de la Machine

Gorges du Guiers Vif

Gorges du Guiers Vif is a very scenic canyon located in the Isère department in southeastern France. The road along the gorges, also known as Gorges du Frou, is called D520C, also known as Route des Entremonts. The road is 11.8 km long.

This road is one of the most famous balcony roads in France. A balcony road is a hair-raising lane cut into the sides of sheer cliffs. It is not a road for those who fear heights. There is little room for error on these roads. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and narrow unlit tunnels. When you take this road as picturesque as it is narrow, with its many suprising bends, drive carefully, and above all don't miss the parking spaces that have been provided.

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