An Epic Drive to Col du Lautaret in France's Dauphiné Alps
France, europe
96.5 km
2,060 m
moderate
Year-round
# Col du Lautaret: A Alpine Classic You Can't Miss
Sitting pretty at 2,060 meters (6,758 feet) in the Hautes-Alpes region of southeastern France, Col du Lautaret is one of those legendary Alpine passes that deserves a spot on every mountain road enthusiast's bucket list. It's part of the stunning Route des Grandes Alpes and sits smack in the middle of the Dauphiné Alps, marking where the Romanche and Guisane valleys split ways.
The views from the top? Absolutely worth the drive. You've got La Meije looming to the southwest, the Grand Galibier to the north, and the entire Massif des Ecrins spread out before you. Fun fact: people have been crossing here since Roman times, but the modern road didn't get serious until 1880, when construction kicked off. They finished the job in 1891 by blasting a tunnel straight through to the summit—pretty impressive for the era.
The fully paved D1091 stretches 96.5 km (60 miles) from Vizille in Isère to Briançon in Hautes-Alpes, with the western approach throwing some serious tunnels at you—some nearly 800 meters long. Just 8 km north sits the even more famous Col du Galibier, connected by the thrilling narrow D902 road.
If you're tackling this from Briançon, expect a 27.75 km grind with 853 meters of elevation gain (3.1% average). Coming from Le Bourg-d'Oisans? You're looking at a longer 34.16 km battle with 1,312 meters of gain (3.8% average). The Tour de France has made this pass famous countless times over the years.
The pass stays open year-round—actually, it's one of France's highest passes you can drive on all year. Just keep an eye on winter conditions, as snow and ice can occasionally throw up restrictions. And when you reach the top, treat yourself: there are cafés and restaurants waiting to celebrate your conquest.
Where is it?
An Epic Drive to Col du Lautaret in France's Dauphiné Alps is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.3243, 2.4272
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 96.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,060 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 46.3243, 2.4272
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