An iconic road to Col Saint Martin in the Alpes-Maritimes

An iconic road to Col Saint Martin in the Alpes-Maritimes

France, europe

Length

21.8 km

Elevation

1,500 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

# Col Saint Martin: A Alpine Adventure in the French Riviera

Ready for a proper mountain road adventure? Col Saint Martin sits pretty at 1,500 meters (4,921 ft) in the Alpes-Maritimes, right in the heart of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. This is prime territory for anyone seeking that classic Alpine pass experience.

The 21.8 km (13.54 miles) stretch—also known as La Colmiane—runs west to east from Rimplas to Saint-Martin-Vésubie, and it's completely paved, which is a win. Fair warning though: the road gets serious in places, literally carved into the mountainside like it means business. You'll encounter plenty of curves and hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills, with some sections cranking up to a punishing 9.1% gradient.

This isn't just any mountain pass either. It's part of the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes and has earned its stripes as a Tour de France favorite, so you know you're tackling something special. The scenery? Absolutely stunning—expect jaw-dropping Alpine vistas and some genuinely dramatic landscape as you wind your way up through the mountains.

Whether you're a keen driver, cyclist, or just someone who loves epic mountain scenery, Col Saint Martin delivers the goods.

Where is it?

An iconic road to Col Saint Martin in the Alpes-Maritimes is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 47.1727, 3.0819

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Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
21.8 km
Max Elevation
1,500 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
47.1727, 3.0819

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