Le Mauvais Pass, a narrow road to the summit
France, europe
13.4 km
1,779 m
moderate
Year-round
# Le Mauvais Pass: France's Gateway to Italy
Ready for an Alpine adventure? Le Mauvais Pass is calling your name. Perched at 1,779 meters (5,836 feet) in the Hautes-Alpes region near the Italian border, this fully paved road (D1T) stretches 13.4 kilometers and connects the charming French village of Névache with Italy's Bardonecchia.
Here's what makes it special: it's the lowest mountain pass between France and Italy, and honestly, the views—especially from the Italian side—are absolutely worth the drive. The route climbs through forested terrain and feels surprisingly intimate, with just an abandoned customs house marking the summit. Don't expect crowds of roadside buildings here; it's beautifully remote.
Now, let's talk the drive itself. The road gets steep in places, with gradients hitting 12.1%, so expect some challenging sections. Summer brings decent traffic, but the Italian side is noticeably better maintained. Fair warning though: two unlit tunnels near the top demand extra caution and headlights.
You've got options for tackling this pass. Coming from the French side (La Vachette)? That's a 17-kilometer climb gaining 391 meters at a gentle 2.3% average. Prefer the Italian approach from Bardonecchia? You're looking at a shorter 8.84-kilometer ascent, but it's steeper at 5.4% average. Either way, you'll understand why this pass remains a summer favorite for Alpine road warriors.
Where is it?
Le Mauvais Pass, a narrow road to the summit is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 44.8139, 2.2921
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,779 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 44.8139, 2.2921
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