The old military road to Col de l’Infernet in the Hautes-Alpes

# Col de l'Infernet: A Wild Alpine Adventure

Ready for a seriously intense mountain drive? Col de l'Infernet sits pretty at 2,355m (7,726ft) in France's Hautes-Alpes, just outside the charming town of Briançon in the southeastern Alps. This isn't your typical scenic byway—it's a full-on adventure.

The real star here is Fort de l'Infernet, a jaw-dropping 19th-century fortress perched even higher at 2,380m. Built between 1876-1878, this beauty was the last French fort constructed with traditional cut stone masonry and was designed to keep potential Italian invaders at bay. During WWII, this place actually saw action, trading fire with Italian forces across the valley. The fort housed 210 soldiers and packed some serious firepower—think 138mm, 155mm, and 220mm guns. Pretty cool, right?

Now, about that drive. Fair warning: this ain't for the faint of heart. Starting from the paved D902, you're looking at roughly 9km (5.5 miles) of pure unpaved military trail. You'll climb nearly 1,000 meters with an average gradient of 10.45%—steep doesn't even begin to describe it. The road is narrow, exposed, and features sketchy slippery sections with some seriously gnarly drops. You'll absolutely need a 4x4, no exceptions.

But here's the payoff: stunning panoramic views across the Clarée, Guisane valleys, and beyond. Plus, you'll pass scattered old military installations, gun emplacements, and barracks dotting the landscape.

Winter? Basically forget about it. Snow can close this route anytime, typically making it impassable from late autumn through spring. Plan accordingly and you've got yourself an unforgettable mountain experience.