Where is Col des Saisies?
France, europe
26.8 km
1,657 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, so you're heading to the French Alps? You HAVE to check out Col des Saisies! This beauty sits at 1,657 meters (that's 5,436 feet!) in the Savoie department. You'll cruise along the iconic Route des Grandes Alpes in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France.
The road, known as D218B, is paved the whole way, so no need for the off-roader this time! It’s a sweet 26.8 kilometers (or 16.65 miles) winding from Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe to Villard-sur-Doron.
Cyclists, take note! This pass is a Tour de France regular, and for good reason. Some sections get seriously steep, hitting gradients of up to 11.4%! Now, be warned: the summit itself is a bit of a letdown. Don't expect a dramatic peak; instead, you'll roll into a somewhat abandoned ski resort. Still, the views along the way are worth it!
While generally open year-round, keep an eye on the weather. Being high up in the Alps means snow can shut things down in a heartbeat. So, pack your camera, check the forecast, and get ready for an epic alpine adventure!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 26.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,657 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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