City to city
The most direct alpine to Mediterranean run there is, and the Route des Grandes Alpes shadows it the whole way.
Direct route
220.6 mi
Scenic route
419.4 mi
Days to enjoy it
2 days
Great roads on route
7
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Distances are planning estimates. The road list is drawn from the scored Atlas library inside this corridor. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 6 June 2026
The detour
The fast way
Motorway and trunk road for most of it, one fuel stop, nothing you will remember. Useful when the drive is a means to an end.
The good way
About 5 hr of that is spent on the great roads themselves, which is where the whole difference lies.
On the way
01 · France
A looping summit road above 2800 metres that circles the peak itself for maximum theatre.
14.9 mi · Rating 9.7 / 10
02 · France
The spine of the Route des Grandes Alpes, a relentless climb to one of driving's holiest summits.
11.2 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10
03 · France
The roof of the Route des Grandes Alpes, a stark granite amphitheatre above 2700 metres.
9.9 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10
04 · France
Cliff hugging ledge road staring straight down into Europe's grandest limestone canyon.
14.9 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10
05 · France
Hairpins through larch forest give way to the lunar Casse Deserte, a surreal high altitude finale.
20.5 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10
06 · France
A vertiginous loop skimming the canyon rim with balcony viewpoints at every bend.
14.3 mi · Rating 9.4 / 10
07 · France
Remote high altitude pass to the Italian frontier with tight ribbons and stark empty scenery.
13.7 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10
Either end
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