A sensational paved road to Col de l’Holme

# Col de l'Holme

Tucked away in the Isère department of southeastern France, Col de l'Holme is a charming mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,207 meters (3,959 feet) above sea level. This gem is nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and makes for a fantastic driving experience.

The route itself—D212—is a delightfully manageable 4.9 kilometers (3.04 miles) that runs north-south, connecting Saint-Michel-en-Beaumont with Sainte-Luce. What makes this pass so accessible? The road is entirely paved, and while it does climb steadily, the gradients never get too gnarly. You'll hit a maximum of 10% in the steeper sections, but nothing that'll make your knuckles white on the steering wheel.

Here's the best part: this pass is typically open year-round, so you can tackle it pretty much whenever the mood strikes. It's the kind of scenic drive that offers all the mountain charm without the white-knuckle drama—perfect for anyone looking to squeeze in some Alpine driving without breaking a sweat.