An awe-inspiring road to Col du Raspaillon
France, europe
N/A
2,525 m
easy
Year-round
# Col du Raspaillon: A Hidden Alpine Gem
Tucked away in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, Col du Raspaillon sits pretty at 2,525 meters (8,284 feet) and is honestly one of the Alps' best-kept secrets. You might also see it listed as Col des Granges Communes or Col de Vermillou—locals have a way of keeping things interesting around here.
Perched right on the border between Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, this pass sits within the stunning Mercantour National Park, just a stone's throw from Italy. If you're coming from the south, you'll find it nestled near the famous Col de la Bonette, making it perfect for a multi-pass adventure.
History buffs will appreciate the Ouvrage Granges Communes, a small but fascinating remnant of the Maginot Line's Alpine fortifications, standing sentinel at the summit.
The scenic D64 route (part of the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes) connects Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée in the south to Jausiers in the north, with smooth pavement the whole way. Pretty impressive considering this was originally just a mule track—they didn't even pave the first road until 1832!
Fair warning though: this high-altitude beauty plays hardball with weather. The pass typically closes from late October through late June or early July, so plan your visit for the summer months if you want to actually make it over the top.
Where is it?
An awe-inspiring road to Col du Raspaillon is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.5302, 4.2288
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,525 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 46.5302, 4.2288
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