
A mining road to the ghost town of Belfort in California
Usa, north-america
12.87 km
3,136 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so you're looking for a high-altitude adventure in California? Check out Belfort! This old mining village, perched way up in Mono County near the Nevada border, is seriously cool. We're talking 10,288 feet above sea level!
The road to get there? Epic. It's eight miles of unpaved, rugged beauty winding through the Sweetwater Mountains in the Toiyabe National Forest. Picture this: stunning views all around. You'll definitely need a 4x4 for this one – it's pretty rough going. Fair warning: the last quarter mile gets super narrow, so parking lower down and hiking the final stretch might be a good call.
Belfort itself is a trip back in time, with old cabins, foundations, and mines scattered around. The area is usually accessible from July to October, depending on the snow. But be aware, washouts make the drive pretty sketchy in places. Seriously, this isn't a beginner's trail! If you're up for a challenging drive with incredible scenery and a dose of history, Belfort is calling your name.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 12.87 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,136 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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