Col de Joux Plane is one of the six major passes of the French Alps
France, europe
23.7 km
1,697 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de Joux Plane: A Northern Alps Beast Worth the Suffering
If you're hunting for one of France's most legendary cycling climbs, Col de Joux Plane needs to be on your radar. Sitting at 1,697m (5,567ft) in Haute-Savoie, near the Swiss border, this pass shares elite company with the Galibier, Izoard, and Alpe d'Huez as one of the six major peaks that define the French Alps cycling scene.
The paved D354 connecting Morzine to the south and Samoëns to the north is deceptively short at 23.7 km (14.72 miles), but don't let that fool you—this road is a proper gut-check. From Morzine, you're looking at 10.9 km with 711m of elevation gain (6.5% average). From Samoëns? That's 11.6 km gaining 989m with a punishing 8.5% average. Some sections hit a brutal 15% gradient, and the road's narrow, often single-lane character makes it feel even more intense.
Here's the kicker: the entire slope faces south. If you're planning a summer attempt, seriously get an early start or you'll be cooking in the heat with nowhere to hide.
Reach the summit and you'll find Le Relais des Vallées bar and a parking area. Push a bit further on the gravel road north and you'll hit the true summit at 1,714m, where views of Mont-Blanc will make every painful pedal stroke worthwhile.
Tour de France directors love throwing this at cyclists for a reason—it's relentless from either direction, but the Samoëns side is genuinely one of Haute-Savoie's toughest climbs. While it might not have the star power of its southern cousins, Joux Plane absolutely belongs in the conversation of Northern Alps legends.
Where is it?
Col de Joux Plane is one of the six major passes of the French Alps is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.2217, 3.0509
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 23.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,697 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.2217, 3.0509
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Costalunga Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along in the gorgeous Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of northern Italy, heading up, up, up to Costalunga Pass. This isn't just any mountain road; it's a scenic masterpiece! The summit isn't a sharp peak but more like a wide, panoramic plateau where you can soak in incredible views. We're talking a near-360-degree vista that will blow your mind! Up top, you'll find places to eat, shops selling local crafts, and even a farmer offering horseback rides—how cool is that? Now, the road itself is fully paved and generally well-maintained, known locally as Strada Statale 241 (SS241). But don't get complacent! This isn't a highway; it's a winding, turning adventure with some narrow sections and seriously steep slopes that max out at 11%. Spanning roughly , this west-to-east route connects . Cyclists love this climb, so watch out for them as you navigate the bends! Get ready for a drive you won't soon forget!
hardDriving Strada del Vallone di Elva is Well Worth the Time
🇮🇹 Italy
# Strada del Vallone di Elva: Italy's Heart-Pounding Mountain Drive Ready for an adrenaline rush? The Strada del Vallone di Elva in Italy's Piedmont region is absolutely not for the faint of heart. This 9.4-kilometer (5.84-mile) stretch of mountain road—also lovingly called the Valley of the Hiker—will test your driving skills like nothing else. Starting at Ponte Marmora (922 meters elevation), this narrow, winding route climbs relentlessly alongside the Torrente Elvo river, gaining a whopping 718 meters of elevation before topping out at a dizzying 1,664 meters. With an average gradient of 8.34%, you'll feel those steep sections in every turn. Here's where it gets wild: the road features over 30 tunnels carved into the mountainside, with hairpin turns that'll make your palms sweat. The route hugs rocks and cliffs with barely enough room to breathe, and while modern steel guardrails offer some reassurance, they're decidedly minimal—let's just say the views straight down are *very* accessible. Rockslides are a real concern here, so conditions can change without warning. This isn't a leisurely scenic drive; it's a genuine mountain challenge that demands focus, respect, and nerves of steel. Welcome to one of Italy's most thrilling rides.
hardHere's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Hakkari Dağları
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near Hakkâri in Turkey and craving a serious off-road experience, the Hakkari Dağları pass is calling your name. This beast tops out at a staggering 3,340 meters (that's 10,958 feet!), making it one of the highest drives in the whole country. Forget smooth tarmac; this 31.5 km (19.5 miles) stretch is all about rugged, unpaved terrain, linking up with the D400 on either end. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. Be warned, though: Mother Nature slams the door shut with snow from late October to late June/early July, so plan accordingly! The climb is no joke, either. Expect some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting a maximum of 7% in places. But hey, the views? Totally worth it! Just double-check local conditions before you head out, and prepare for an unforgettable ride.
extremeA curvy road with 75 hairpin turns to Col de la Lombarde
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Lombarde-Colle della Lombarda Ever dreamed of conquering a legendary Alpine pass? Welcome to Col de la Lombarde-Colle della Lombarda, sitting pretty at 2,354m (7,723ft) on the Italy-France border. This beast connects southeastern France's Alpes-Maritimes with Italy's Cuneo Province in Piedmont, and trust us—it's absolutely worth the detour. Perched high above the Isola 2000 ski resort, this fully paved road is a thrilling roller coaster of 75 hairpin turns that'll keep your hands glued to the steering wheel. The French call it M97; the Italians know it as Strada Provinciale 255 (SP255). Built in 1971, it's typically open to traffic only during the summer months. The full 41.6 km (25.84 miles) stretch from Isola in France to Vinadio in Italy is a white-knuckle adventure that usually takes between 1 to 1.5 hours to drive. Some sections climb at a gnarly 17% gradient, so this isn't for the faint of heart. But here's the payoff: absolutely breathtaking Alpine views at every turn, plus historical WWII ruins—blockhouses and barracks—scattered near the summit. There's a small parking lot at the top where you can catch your breath and celebrate. Fun fact: the Tour de France didn't tackle this beast until 2008, proving that some roads are just too epic to ignore. Ready for the challenge?