Where is Col de la Pierre Carrée?
France, europe
15.3 km
1,849 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Col de la Pierre Carrée, a seriously stunning mountain pass hanging out in the Haute-Savoie region of France. At 1,849m (that's 6,066ft!), it's the highest pass in the northern French Alps that stays open year-round. You'll find it in the Rhône-Alpes region, way out east. Legend says it’s named after a soldier and alpine hunter named Pierre Carrée.
The road itself (the D106) is completely paved, making for a smooth (ish) ride. Get ready for a wild cul-de-sac adventure with a whopping 20 hairpin turns. Trust me, the views are worth it!
The pass stretches for 15.3 km (9.50 miles), connecting Les Carroz to Flaine. Since it's the main access to the Flaine ski station, it's usually open all year, but keep an eye out for winter closures due to bad weather.
Now, let's talk about the climb. It gets intense! Expect a maximum gradient of 11.8% in places. Think of it in three stages: The first few kilometers are brutal, with a peak of 8.4% on one kilometer. Then it mellows out for a bit until the halfway point. Finally, brace yourself for the second half – another 10 kilometers at around 6.5% average, with peaks hitting 9%. The good news is the slopes get easier as you near the top!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 15.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,849 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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