Europe’s top ten high roads

1 Pico Veleta 3300m

Access to the top is restricted, so it’s open to the public only to 2526m… so should really be the seventh-highest. Dead end.

2 Ötztal Glacier Road 2830m

The tunnel access road leading to the ski centre that doubled as a clinic in Spectre (before the plane chase) is the high point. Dead End.

3 Cime de la Bonette 2802m

This loop of tarmac above the actual pass is France’s highest road and the highest non-deadend road in Europe.

4 Col de l’iseran 2770m

The last pass to be completed in France’s Route des Grandes Alpes is Europe’s highest pass.

5 Stelvio Pass 2757m

Italy’s loftiest pass is the highest in the eastern Alps. Famous for it’s fearsome runs of hairpins — 48 on each side of the pass.

6 Kaunertal Glacier Road 2750m

Another Austrian valley, another lofty ski centre, another epic ride… Dead end.

7 Colle del Nivolet 2641m

Michael Caine’s bus crashed here in The Italian Job. Now closed to motorised traffic at the top. Dead end.

8 Timmelsjoch 2509m

Austria’s highest pass peaks just before crossing the border into Italy (where they call it Passo Rombo).

9 Umbrail Pass 2501m

The highest pass in Switzerland crosses into Italy and joins Stelvio near the top. The road is now fully paved.

10 Envalira Pass 2408m

Most traffic heading to Andorra takes the tunnel, leaving the highest pass in the Pyrenees perfectly quiet for bikes.