Driving the wild road to Col de Balme
Switzerland, europe
N/A
2,209 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de Balme
Want to experience some serious Alpine drama? Col de Balme sits pretty at 2,209 meters (7,247 feet) right on the France-Switzerland border, and it's absolutely worth the adventure.
Here's the deal: the French side is where things get real. Think narrow, gravel roads with some seriously steep switchbacks that'll keep you on your toes. The Swiss side? That's basically hiking territory—just a walking path, really. You're connecting Trient (in Switzerland's Valais canton) to Argentière (French Haute-Savoie), so you've got a proper international crossing happening.
The best part? There's this iconic stone alpine restaurant sitting right at the pass—you literally can't miss it. It's the perfect spot to grab hot chocolate, catch your breath, and soak in those jaw-dropping mountain views. Just a heads-up though: they're only open from late June through mid-September, so plan your visit accordingly.
If you're into dramatic mountain scenery and don't mind a challenging drive on the French approach, this pass absolutely delivers.
Where is it?
Driving the wild road to Col de Balme is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 47.0784, 8.3707
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,209 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 47.0784, 8.3707
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