Where is Col de la Colombière?
France, europe
30 km
1,613 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps on the Route des Grandes Alpes, specifically tackling the Col de la Colombière. This beauty sits pretty high up in the Haute-Savoie department, at 1,613m (5,292ft). You'll find it in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, southeast France.
The road itself? Pure driving bliss on the D4 (Route de la Colombière), all paved and ready for you! It's about 30km (18.64 miles) of winding goodness, connecting Le Grand-Bornand and Scionzier. Keep in mind, this alpine pass is usually open from June to October, weather permitting.
If you drive straight through, you're looking at 45-60 minutes of pure joy. Once you're at the top, you’ll find a bar-restaurant, parking, a souvenir shop, and even a cute little church. Perfect for a pit stop!
Now, heads up, this climb isn't for the faint of heart. Some sections get seriously steep, hitting gradients of up to 13%! This col is a Tour de France regular, so you know it's got some challenging climbs.
If you're coming from Le Grand Bornand, get ready for an 11.7 km climb with a 690-meter elevation gain, averaging 5.9% with a max of 12%. Starting in Scionzier? Buckle up for a 16.3 km ascent, gaining 1,108 meters, averaging 6.8%, also with a max slope of 12%. Get ready for stunning views and bragging rights!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 30 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,613 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Col de Moulata?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, so you're looking for a super-short, super-steep climb in the French Pyrenees? Let me tell you about Col de Moulata! Tucked away in the Hautes-Pyrénées, this little gem is only about a mile long, but don't let that fool you. It packs a punch with gradients hitting 12%! Think of it as a mini-mountain challenge. The good news? You can usually tackle it in any car. The bad news? It's generally snowed in from late October to late June or early July. But when it's open, expect stunning mountain views, and, well, a good workout for your vehicle! Definitely one for the "bragging rights" list.
hardA nightmare road to Lockyers Hill
🇬🇧 England
Okay, gear up for Lockyers Hill, a hidden gem in Kent's Gravesham area! Tucked away in some seriously beautiful woodland, this climb is short but brutal. We're talking just a few hundred metres, taking you from 96m to 157m above sea level, but don't let the distance fool you. This isn't your average Sunday drive. The road is super narrow – think "squeeze-past-a-bike" narrow – and the surface is a bit rough around the edges. Prepare to dodge some potholes and navigate a bit of gravel. Oh, and did I mention the gradient? We’re talking a lung-busting 20-25% incline for pretty much the entire climb! So, pop it into low gear and get ready for a leg-burning adventure through some stunning Kent countryside.
hardHow to get by car to Devedagi Tepesi?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Devedağı Tepesi is calling your name! This epic mountain pass straddles the border between Artvin and Erzurum in Turkey, and tops out at a dizzying 2,821 meters (that's over 9,255 feet!). Get ready for a wild ride! The gravel road to the summit is seriously hairpinned and bumpy—think rollercoaster, but with more rocks. Snow is a major player up here, so this road can close down without warning during the winter months. You NEED a 4x4 for this one; anything less, and you'll be kicking yourself. If heights make you queasy, maybe skip this one. The trail gets steep, and even a little rain can turn the road into a slippery, loose-gravel nightmare. Bottom line: come prepared, respect the mountain, and get ready for some incredible scenery!
hardWhere is Tuc del Montanyó?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure junkies, let's talk Tuc del Montanyó! This beast of a peak sits way up in the Spanish Pyrenees, within the gorgeous Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici Natural Park in Catalonia. We're talking serious altitude here – 2,532 meters (8,307 feet)! Forget smooth asphalt; this is a rugged, unpaved chairlift access trail near the Boi-Taüll ski resort. Think narrow, think steep (up to 25%!), and definitely think 4x4 with high clearance only. Seriously, leave the family sedan at home. The climb is short but intense. From the parking lot, it's just 2.8 kilometers (1.73 miles) to the top, but you'll gain a whopping 416 meters of elevation. Prepare for a workout, but the views? Absolutely worth the effort. Get ready for some stunning Catalonian Pyrenees scenery!