BoutiqueMaison du Cap
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France
Steep but smooth approach; the Moyenne Corniche is a four-minute roll from the gates at sunrise.
Driver Hotel Score
8.9
From route
2.6 km
££££
- Secure parking
- EV charging on site
France, French Alps
Route des Grandes Alpes
Distance
684 km
Time
13h 30m
Driving score
9.7
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Editorial
Why drive it
Seventeen passes, two seas of weather, and one of the great continuous driving experiences on earth. Best taken over three unhurried days.
The Iseran and Galibier are the headline acts, but the quiet cols, Vars, Cayolle, Turini, are where the road becomes personal.
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Road width
- Varies, narrow on the Galibier
- Surface
- Good to excellent
- Best direction
- Thonon → Menton
- Best time of day
- Multi-day
- Best season
- June to September
- Elevation
- 2,770 m, Col de l'Iseran
- Community rating
- 4.9 / 5
Proprietary scoring
The numbers
Driving enjoyment9.7
Scenery9.9
Road quality8.9
Traffic (higher is quieter)7.6
Grand touring9.5
Sports car9.7
Classic car8.5
Convertible9.8
The journey
Route highlights
Start
Thonon-les-Bains
Lake Geneva shore
Mountain Pass
Col de l'Iseran
Europe's highest paved pass
Mountain Pass
Col du Galibier
Cycling cathedral
Hotel
Barcelonnette
Natural overnight stop
Mountain Pass
Col de Turini
Rally legend, forested and tight
Finish
Menton
Mediterranean, finally
Where to stay
Stay along this drive
Boutique
LuxuryThe Chedi Andermatt
Andermatt, Switzerland
Arguably the finest driver's basecamp in Europe: Furka, Susten, Gotthard and Oberalp all within twenty minutes.
Driver Hotel Score
9.7
From route
0.1 km
£££££
- Secure parking, covered
- EV charging on site
- Suitable for low cars
Country HouseAuberge des Vignes
Ribeauvillé, Alsace
Half-timbered wine village, courtyard parking behind locked gates, and the Route des Crêtes for breakfast.
Driver Hotel Score
8.6
From route
0.8 km
£££
- Secure parking
- EV charging on site
- Suitable for low cars
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From the members
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