A curvy scenic road to Col de la Couillole
France, europe
23.4 km
504 m
extreme
Year-round
# Col de la Couillole
Nestled in the Alpes-Maritimes region of southeastern France, Col de la Couillole sits at a whopping 1,678m elevation and serves as part of the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes. This fully paved route (D30, which becomes M30 after the pass) stretches 23.4km from Beuil to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée and winds through the stunning Mercantour National Park.
Fair warning: this road is seriously steep and curvy. You'll encounter hairpin turns, narrow sections, and charming tunnels that make for an exhilarating—but gorgeous—drive. The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking at every turn.
Cyclists know this pass well; the Tour de France has tackled it multiple times. Starting from Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée at just 504m elevation, riders face 15.7km of climbing with 1,174 meters of elevation gain. The average gradient of 7.5% sounds reasonable until you realize there's barely a flat section below 6%, with several stretches hitting 8% and peaks reaching 11%. It's relentless in the best way possible.
While you're in the area, don't miss the picturesque village of Roubion, perched near the road. It's truly a hidden gem—literally at the end of the road—with local hotels and stunning views. Fair note: if you're coming from the Beuil side, you won't see signs for it, so keep your eyes peeled.
Where is it?
A curvy scenic road to Col de la Couillole is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.5156, 2.1995
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 23.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 504 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 46.5156, 2.1995
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