
Can you drive to Col de Lauzun?
France, europe
8 km
2,809 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! Col de Lauzun in the French Alps (Savoie department) is calling your name – if you've got the right ride, that is. We're talking a monstrously fun, super-challenging 8km (5 miles) off-road ascent starting near Val Thorens ski resort.
Forget pavement; this is a brutally steep, rocky, and slippery ski piste turned service road. We're talking 4x4 ONLY, folks. Seriously. Expect impossibly steep sections kicking up to a 30% gradient that'll test your nerve and your vehicle's capabilities.
At the summit, you'll be gasping for air, not just from the climb, but from the view! At 2,809m (9,215ft), you're perched high in the Massif de la Vanoise range, making this one of France's highest roads. Just a heads-up: this beast is snowed in from September to May. Summer is your window for conquering Col de Lauzun!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 8 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,809 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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