Col de Chaudun
France, europe
48 km
1,693 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps, Hautes-Alpes region to be exact, and stumble upon Col de Chaudun, also known as Col de Gleizé. This baby climbs to 1,693m (5,554ft), so get ready for some serious views!
The road, Route Touristique du Col de Gleize, is paved, though it's a little rough around the edges at first, but don't worry, it smooths out as you climb. Just be warned: it's narrow! Starting from the N85, it's a 4.8 km ride with 11 hairpin turns that will test your skills and reward you with breathtaking panoramas. You'll gain 436 meters in elevation, making for an average gradient of around 9%.
At the top, there's a small parking area perfect for hikers, and that's where the pavement ends. If you're feeling adventurous (and have the right vehicle) a gravel road continues to Col du Milieu (just 800m further) and Col de Chabanottes/Challanotte (2.3 km away). Note: This gravel road is only for authorized vehicles and mountain bikes are not allowed. But for a real challenge, consider Col du Tra - a steep and curvy road for experienced drivers.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 48 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,693 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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