A paved road among the clouds to Col d'Allos in the Provence
France, europe
39.1 km
2,250 m
hard
Year-round
# Col d'Allos
Nestled in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region of southeastern France, the Col d'Allos sits pretty at 2,250m (7,382ft), just west of the stunning Parc National du Mercantour. This mountain pass has some serious history—it was carved out of the Alps back in 1891 as part of military fortifications against potential Italian and German attacks. A couple of decades later, the nearby Col de la Cayolle opened as an alternative route, and now these three passes run parallel to each other like a trio of challenging siblings.
Here's where things get real: the D908 that takes you to the summit is paved, but "paved" might be generous—we're talking rough, bumpy asphalt that'll rattle your teeth. The road is narrow, intimidating, and absolutely littered with hairpin turns. Those massive drop-offs aren't just scenery; they demand respect. Caravan and truck drivers? Seriously reconsider this one. With grades hitting 9% at their steepest, this 39.1 km (24.29 miles) push from Colmars-les-Alpes to Barcelonnette is no joke. It's so legendary, it's a favorite testing ground for Tour de France cyclists.
The good news: you'll reach a parking area and the cozy Refuge du Col d'Allos at the top, plus you might spot marmots, sheep, or grazing cows along the way. Just plan your visit for July or August—the pass closes the rest of the year. Friday mornings in summer? Those belong to cyclists only. Adventurous souls can also tackle the minor gravel road up to Le Signal (2,350m) just south of the pass.
Where is it?
A paved road among the clouds to Col d'Allos in the Provence is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.9343, 1.5424
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 39.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,250 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 45.9343, 1.5424
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