Where is Col de Sarenne?
France, europe
20.9 km
2,004 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps in the Isère department, heading for the Col de Sarenne. This baby tops out at a cool 2,004 meters (6,574 feet), nestled in the Rhône-Alpes region, high in the Grandes Rousses massif. There's even a tiny parking lot and a restaurant waiting for you at the summit!
Heads up though, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The Route du Col de Sarenne is mostly paved, but it throws in some unpaved sections just to keep you on your toes. The road quality can be rough, especially along the edges. We're talking steep drops, no guardrails, and the kind of narrow sections that make you hold your breath – definitely not for larger vehicles or the faint of heart! A slip-up could mean a 30-meter tumble.
But trust me, the views are worth it. Even though you're not far from civilization, it feels remote and quiet, especially with those rough patches. The pass stretches for about 20.9 km (12.98 miles) from Mizoën to Huez, and it's a real leg-burner in places, hitting gradients of up to 14.1%! The Tour de France even tackles this beast.
Just a heads-up: this road is usually closed from late October to early June. Plus, it parallels the GR54 hiking trail for a good chunk of the way. So, gear up for an unforgettable Alpine adventure!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 20.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,004 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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