Clue de la Maglia, a balcony road in France

Clue de la Maglia is a very scenic drive located on the isolated valley of Maglia River near the village of Breil-sur-Roya in Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads. Driving on this narrow road between walls of cliffs and gorges is a delight.

Clue de la Maglia

The road to the clue, a place where the river breaks through a band of limestone and is pushed into a short canyon, is called Route Maglia. The surface of the road, with the Maglia river sparkling deep below in the canyon, is mostly asphalted, with some gravel sections near the end. Speed limit is 30 km/h. The road is extremely narrow, totally impassable for 2 cars at the same time. It’s a wonderful and very amusing canyon digged in the white limestone of the Vallèe de la Roya.

This road is one of the most famous balcony roads in the country. A balcony road is a hair-raising lane cut into the sides of sheer cliffs. It’s a kind of road not 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 surprising meanders, drive carefully, and above all don't miss the parking spaces that have been provided.

 

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