A drivable track to the summit of Col del Sommeiller

# Col del Sommeiller

Want to tackle one of Europe's most epic high-altitude drives? Meet Col del Sommeiller, sitting pretty at 2,993m (9,819ft) on the French-Italian border in the Alpi Cozie. This isn't just any mountain pass—it's a serious alpine adventure.

The journey starts in Bardonecchia, Italy, and climbs 26 kilometers of pure mountain magic. You're rewarded with hairpin after hairpin, stunning alpine dams, and a jaw-dropping turquoise lake waiting for you at the summit. The whole thing gains 1,711 meters with an average grade of 6.5% (though it can hit a gnarly 19% in places). Fair warning: the views are genuinely spectacular, but the road demands respect.

Here's the deal with the drive: Only the first 6km is paved—and not even well-paved. The remaining 20km is rocky, unforgiving terrain that'll test your driving skills. You'll want a 4x4 for this one, no question. The surface stays mostly drivable until you hit the final stretch near the summit, where things get pretty gnarly and disconnected.

The pass carries some serious history too. It's named after Germain Sommellier, the engineer behind the legendary Fréjus railway tunnel that opened in 1871—and yep, you start your climb right where that tunnel begins.

A heads-up: this road is brutally seasonal. Expect it to be completely closed from late October through late June, with snow clearing not happening until late July. Even when it's open, Bardonecchia restricts traffic on Thursdays from July through September to protect the road.

This is pure, unfiltered mountain driving. Bring your A-game and a solid vehicle.