France, Hautes-Alpes, France
Remote high altitude pass to the Italian frontier with tight ribbons and stark empty scenery.
Length
22 km
In miles
13.7 mi
Driving time
41 min
Atlas rating
9.3 / 10
The run
Chateau-Ville-Vieille to Italian border, following the D205T. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Closed roughly October to June, one of the highest paved passes in Europe
Nearby
4 km away
Colle dell'Agnello
One of the Alps' highest paved passes, remote and narrow near the French border.
21 km away
Col d'Izoard
Hairpins through larch forest give way to the lunar Casse Deserte, a surreal high altitude finale.
25 km away
Col de Vars
A gentler Alpine link road with sweeping meadows between two harder edged giants.
40 km away
Colle delle Finestre
A gravel topped final stretch of tight hairpins made famous by the Giro d'Italia.
44 km away
Col de la Bonette
A looping summit road above 2800 metres that circles the peak itself for maximum theatre.
46 km away
Col de la Cayolle
A quiet pastoral pass with a gorge finale through the narrow Gorges du Bachelard.
Longer journeys