Where is Col de Caron?
France, europe
28.3 km
2,996 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for an epic adventure to Col de Caron! This insane mountain pass climbs to a dizzying 2,996m (that's 9,829ft!) in the French Alps, near Orelle. We're talking about one of Europe's highest drives here!
You'll find this gem in the Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. Forget smooth asphalt – this is a rugged, unpaved service road that stretches 28.3 km (17.58 miles) between Val Thorens ski resort and the village of Orelle.
The "Val Thorens-Orelle road" isn't for the faint of heart. It throws a staggering 55 hairpin turns at you, each one numbered as you climb! Be warned: this route is strictly 4x4 territory. You'll be hugging the chairlift line as you grind your way up, tackling average gradients of 10.4% with some sections spiking to a crazy 17-18%.
The views, though? Unbelievable! Think panoramic vistas of a thousand summits across France, Switzerland, and Italy. Just remember, this alpine beast is usually only accessible in July and August.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 28.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,996 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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