A narrow road to Col de l’Espaul in the Mercantour
France, europe
2.9 km
1,752 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de l'Espaul
Nestled in the heart of the Alpes-Maritimes in southeastern France, Col de l'Espaul is a seriously steep mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,752 meters (5,748 feet) above sea level. This one's tucked away in the stunning Mercantour Massif, right within Mercantour National Park—so you know the views are going to be incredible.
The route up, called Route de la Colle, is a gloriously narrow and twisty affair that'll get your adrenaline pumping. We're talking some gnarly 10% gradient sections that demand respect, especially if you're driving something a bit larger. Fair warning: the asphalt is looking a little rough around the edges—the road got paved back when they developed a golf course at the summit, so it's seen better days. But that's half the charm, right?
The whole drive is mercifully short at just 2.9 kilometers (1.80 miles), starting from Rue Saint-Jean in Péone. Once you make it to the top, you'll find a huge parking lot where you can catch your breath, stretch your legs, and soak in those panoramic Alpine views. Definitely worth the white-knuckle drive up.
Where is it?
A narrow road to Col de l’Espaul in the Mercantour is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 44.8055, 2.8700
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 2.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,752 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 44.8055, 2.8700
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