Calanques de Piana balcony rd

from DangerousRoads.org 

The road is 11.1 km (6.89 miles) long, running west-east from Piana to D84 road. Be careful, as the road is narrow, sinuous and very busy in summer. As you’ll discover magnificent landscapes, you’ll certainly want to take some pictures. Don’t stop your car in the middle of the road, and don’t park on the roadside. Caution is required when driving on this road, as in parts it's so narrow that cars can only just pass through - but the location is worth it. Due to the fact that Calanches de Piana are so famous this road is flooded by tourists and their vehicles. Even big motorhomes and buses with 40 persons and more try to pass the road even though they are simply too big for this road. This results always in traffic jams because going into reverse is not an option. During the touristic season the village of Porto provides a special service. On both sides of the scenic part of this street there are guides who communicate via radio. Alternating they block the traffic and guide the buses through this tight part of the road by driving a bicycle. Partly there is less than 10 cm left on both sides of the vehicle!

Is the Calanques de Piana worth it?

The drive offers breathtaking views through the cliffs. The road runs through a spectacular landscape of red granite cliffs and spiky outcrops, carved into bizarre shapes by the forces of wind and water. Because they are so attractive, and are now a UNESCO World heritage Site, the Calanches are also very popular and the road can become very busy during the summer months. The D81 road cuts across the creeks for about 2 kms with excellent viewpoints of the famous red granite cliffs and the gulf of Porto. Really magnificent, particularly at sunset. It’s worth the detour, exceptional. This road has not to be missed if you are visiting this region of Corsica! It’s one of the best coastal drives in the world.

EDT Perpignan to st-Jean-de-Fos

From the southern edge of France's Massif Central you'll really start to notice that you're in Southern Europe now. The route touches the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, so it might be a good chance to stop and recharge for a few days.

The weather through this section can be very changeable due to winds coming from the Atlantic coast and being funnelled across to the Mediterranean by the Pyrenees and the mountains to the north. Strong wind and rain is likely, but so are high temperatures in the summer months.

You'll get you first views of the high, snow covered peaks of the Pyrenees here. There's some great trails in the hills close to the coast: steep terrain, rough tracks and sometimes vague trails, lead to some more traffic-free riding before the city of Perpignan.

EDT Moià to Perpignan

Out of Perpignan you'll cross through farmland until starting to climb over the Pyrenees. The crossing is at a low pass with some interesting history and you'll find yourself into Spain.

Spain is the second most mountainous country in Europe, so expect very little flat riding until you hit the Atlantic Ocean. There is however a huge network of dirt roads so finding good trails becomes much easier.

There's a steep and high pass to cross to get to Olot, then a few kilometres of disused railway line, around two reservoirs and then through the town of Vic as you pickup parts of one of the Camino pilgrimage routes.

EDT Moià to Perpignan

Out of Perpignan you'll cross through farmland until starting to climb over the Pyrenees. The crossing is at a low pass with some interesting history and you'll find yourself into Spain.

Spain is the second most mountainous country in Europe, so expect very little flat riding until you hit the Atlantic Ocean. There is however a huge network of dirt roads so finding good trails becomes much easier.

There's a steep and high pass to cross to get to Olot, then a few kilometres of disused railway line, around two reservoirs and then through the town of Vic as you pickup parts of one of the Camino pilgrimage routes.

EDT Gratallops to Moià

North of Barcelona you'll pass the beautiful mountain of Mont Serrat, then ride through a series of valleys and along high ridges with sea views at points, and plenty of dirt roads.

Crossing through the town of Mont Blanc you're then into a series of big climbs and descents, intermixed with some easier riding to get into the high country of the eastern end of the Trans-Iberian Mountains.