An Iconic Road to Col du Joly in the French Alps
France, europe
N/A
1,989 m
hard
Year-round
Col du Joly is a stunning high mountain pass sitting at 1,989m (6,525ft) in the Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France, straddling the border between Haute-Savoie and Savoie departments.
The drive runs south to north, connecting Beaufort-sur-Doron with Les Contamines-Montjoie, and it's genuinely worth the effort. The southern approach is mostly paved, while the northern side switches to unpaved road—but don't worry, it's well-maintained. Fair warning though: it gets narrow in stretches, and you'll share the route with other travelers heading up to the summit restaurant, Chez Gaston Col du Joly Hauteluce, where hikers typically kick off their Tour du Mont Blanc adventures.
Expect some serious climbs along the way, with gradients hitting up to 10.9% on the steeper sections. Your legs (and your car) will feel it, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. Once you reach the top, you're treated to one of the most breathtaking views of Mont Blanc you'll find anywhere—seriously close and impossibly beautiful. It's the kind of vista that makes those hairpin turns feel totally justified.
Where is it?
An Iconic Road to Col du Joly in the French Alps is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.4485, 1.6743
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 1,989 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.4485, 1.6743
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