
Col de Pierre Plate: The Road That Has It All!
France, europe
44.8 km
1,027 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de Pierre Plate
Ready for a seriously scenic road trip? Col de Pierre Plate is a mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,027m (3,369ft) in France's Lozère department, nestled right in the heart of the Occitania region and the stunning Cévennes National Park.
The D916 is a fully paved route that'll keep you on your toes—this isn't your straightforward highway. You're looking at a 44.8km (27.83 miles) stretch that weaves west to east between the village of Les Vignes and Florac, and trust us, every kilometer is an adventure. The road is delightfully twisty with nine hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills, plus some genuinely narrow sections where two cars simply can't pass each other. There are a few cliffsides to keep you humble, and the steepest sections climb up to 9.0%.
If you're coming from Florac, expect a 5.8km ascent that packs 470 meters of elevation gain into its length, averaging a solid 8.09% gradient. Those steep sections aren't messing around, but the fully paved road means you'll have decent grip as you navigate the switchbacks and curves.
This is the kind of road that rewards careful driving and rewards it well—the views through the Cévennes are absolutely worth every twist and turn. Just take it slow, stay focused, and enjoy one of France's most exhilarating mountain drives.
Where is it?
Col de Pierre Plate: The Road That Has It All! is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.2979, 3.8692
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 44.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,027 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.2979, 3.8692
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