An awe-inspiring drive to Belvedere du Viso in the Cottian Alps
France, europe
19.3 km
2,147 m
moderate
Year-round
# Belvédère du Cirque du Mont-Viso
Perched at 2,147 meters (7,043 feet) in France's Hautes-Alpes department, this stunning viewpoint sits right on the Italian border within the Queyras Regional Natural Park. The Route du Viso was dreamed up back in 1864 by locals in Ristolas who wanted to open up the Haut Guil valley to visitors. With help from everyone from the French Alpine Hunter Battalions to Michelin itself, the road got a major upgrade and officially opened in 1931, complete with an incredible parking area—the "Grand Belvédère du Viso"—offering jaw-dropping views of Mont Viso's north face.
Nestled in the heart of the Cottian Alps and the Ristolas Mont-Viso National Nature Reserve, this route is a real alpine adventure. Fair warning though: winters shut this place down hard thanks to heavy snow, so plan your visit for warmer months.
The road itself is mostly paved with some rougher sections and gravel patches mixed in—and it's fantastic for mountain biking if you're up for a serious leg-burner. You'll tackle winding bends, false flats for catching your breath, and a fun descent to cap it off.
Starting from Aiguilles, it's a 19.3-kilometer (12-mile) push uphill with 676 meters of elevation gain. The average grade sits at 3.5%, but watch out for some ramps that hit 11.5%—seriously steep! There's a small parking lot waiting for you at the top, making it the perfect end to an epic mountain drive.
Where is it?
An awe-inspiring drive to Belvedere du Viso in the Cottian Alps is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.5326, 2.3678
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 19.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,147 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 46.5326, 2.3678
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