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

Share this road

Road Details

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

Related Roads in europe

Can you drive to Sveti Jure?hard

Can you drive to Sveti Jure?

🇭🇷 Croatia

Okay, picture this: You're in Croatia, right on the Dalmatian Coast, staring up at the Biokovo Mountains. Wanna do something epic? Drive to the top of Sveti Jure, the highest peak in the range! This is a road trip you won't forget. The Biokovska cesta, or Biokovo Tourist Road, is paved all the way up, winding 23km (14.29 miles) from the starting point at 365m above sea level to the summit at 1,744m (5,721ft). You'll gain 1,379 meters in elevation, and you'll notice some seriously steep spots, up to 23% gradient! Budget about an hour to get to the top, not counting photo stops – and trust me, you'll want to stop. Heads up, though: this drive isn't for the faint of heart. The road can get super narrow, like only 3-4 meters wide in sections. So be ready to reverse if you meet another car, as passing zones are few and far between. Drive slow, the speed limit is 30km/h, and be extra careful because a little slip could send you tumbling down – we're talking potentially a kilometer drop! The last few kilometers get windy, so keep a close eye on the weather forecast. The road is open during the day, and there's a small entrance fee to the Biokovo National Park. Once you're up there, the views are insane. The Adriatic Sea stretches out before you, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Bosnia and even Italy! You'll be treated to panoramic views of the mountains meeting the coast, with Croatian islands dotting the sea. There's a decent-sized parking lot at the top, and you might find a restaurant or two open, especially during the busy season. It's an unforgettable drive.

Is the road to Alpisella Pass one of the best 4x4 tracks in the Livigno Range?hard

Is the road to Alpisella Pass one of the best 4x4 tracks in the Livigno Range?

🇮🇹 Italy

# Passo d'Alpisella: A Hidden Alpine Gem Tucked away in the Sondrio province of Lombardy, just a stone's throw from the Swiss border, Passo d'Alpisella is one of those mountain passes that'll make your jaw drop. Sitting at a whopping 2,285m (7,497ft), this rugged little track winds through the Livigno Range and connects Passo di Fraele near the Cancano lakes to the stunning shores of Lago di Livigno. The journey itself is about 8.9 km (5.53 miles) of pure alpine adventure. Fair warning though: the entire road is unpaved, featuring tight sections and rocky terrain that demand a high-clearance vehicle and serious driving skills. It's absolutely legendary among off-roaders and mountain bikers, but here's the catch—the final descent toward Livigno is off-limits to regular cars, so you'll need to respect those rules. When you finally reach the summit, you're rewarded with something truly special. There's a tiny parking area and the crystal-clear waters of Lago Alpisella, plus the charming Malga Alpisella mountain hut just nearby. It's the perfect spot to grab a bite, soak in the atmosphere, and experience genuine alpine hospitality. **Planning your visit?** This isn't a year-round kind of road. Heavy winter snowfall makes it completely impassable from October through June, with exact opening dates depending on how Mother Nature feels each year. Summer's your sweet spot for tackling this route, but stay alert—afternoon thunderstorms can roll in fast and turn that unpaved surface into a technical nightmare.

How to Get by Car to the Summit of Torreta de l'Orri in Lleida?moderate

How to Get by Car to the Summit of Torreta de l'Orri in Lleida?

🇪🇸 Spain

Torreta de l'Orri is a seriously impressive high mountain peak sitting at 2,439m (8,001ft) above sea level in Spain's Lleida province. Also called Pic de l'Orri, this beast ranks among the country's highest driveable roads and sits in the Pallars Sobirà region of Catalonia, up in the northern part of the country. Want to visit? Fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved—basically a chairlift access trail that demands a proper 4x4 vehicle to tackle. Seriously, don't even think about attempting this in winter. At this elevation, the road becomes completely impassable once snow hits. Starting from Port-Ainé ski resort, you're looking at a 5.7 km (3.54 miles) push to the summit. You'll climb 436m of elevation over that distance, with an average gradient of 7.64%—steep enough to make you work for those views. At the top, you'll find communication facilities and a TV antenna building, a reminder that humans have conquered this beast for practical purposes too.

Travel guide to the top of Gara-Bashi station (Mount Elbrus)extreme

Travel guide to the top of Gara-Bashi station (Mount Elbrus)

🌍 Russia

# Gara-Bashi: Europe's Wildest Mountain Adventure Perched at a jaw-dropping 3,883 meters (12,739 feet) on the southeast slope of Mount Elbrus, Gara-Bashi is the highest ski lift station in all of Europe. This isn't your typical alpine resort—it's a serious mountaineer's playground tucked between the Black and Caspian Seas, just 20 km from the Georgian border, deep in Russia's Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. The journey starts in Terskol, a small mountain town at the base of the Baksan Valley, and climbs 10.5 km (6.52 miles) to reach the lift station. Buckle up: you're gaining 1,695 meters in elevation with an average gradient of 16.14%, and some sections hit a brutal 33% incline. This isn't a road for your regular sedan—4x4 vehicles only, and even then, it's rough going. Along the way, you'll spot the quirky Garabashi (Botchki) huts—barrel-shaped structures lying on their sides that serve as base camps for climbers. Push a bit further and you'll find 11 more barrel huts near the ski lift station, offering cozy (if sparse) accommodations for six climbers each. The Terskol Observatory sits nearby at 3,092 meters, while ambitious snowmobilers have ventured even higher to 4,486 meters. Access is limited to certain summer days only, and the entire route is unpaved. Here's the kicker: in 1997, Russian adventurer Alexander Abramov drove a Land Rover Defender to Mount Elbrus's 5,642-meter summit—the highest peak in Europe. After 45 grueling days battling glaciers, ice, and mechanical failures, he made it. The vehicle stayed at the top; his team made it back safely with a Guinness World Record in hand.