France, Alpes-Maritimes, France
A quiet pastoral pass with a gorge finale through the narrow Gorges du Bachelard.
Length
48 km
In miles
29.8 mi
Driving time
1 hr 12 min
Atlas rating
9.0 / 10
The run
Barcelonnette to Guillaumes, following the D2202. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Closed roughly November to May
Nearby
6 km away
Col de la Bonette
A looping summit road above 2800 metres that circles the peak itself for maximum theatre.
27 km away
Col de Vars
A gentler Alpine link road with sweeping meadows between two harder edged giants.
41 km away
Route Napoleon
Sweeping historic highway tracing Napoleon's 1815 march through lavender country and pine ridges.
45 km away
Colle dell'Agnello
One of the Alps' highest paved passes, remote and narrow near the French border.
46 km away
Col Agnel
Remote high altitude pass to the Italian frontier with tight ribbons and stark empty scenery.
57 km away
Col d'Izoard
Hairpins through larch forest give way to the lunar Casse Deserte, a surreal high altitude finale.
Longer journeys