Col de Ve Gautier: good road quality and pleasant grading

Col de Ve Gautier: good road quality and pleasant grading

France, europe

Length

11.7 km

Elevation

1,099 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

# Col de Vé Gautier

Tucked away in the Alpes-Maritimes in southeastern France, Col de Vé Gautier sits at 1,099 meters (3,605 feet) and serves as a scenic connector between the Esteron and Fleuve valleys in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

The D27 road stretching 11.7 km (7.27 miles) from Toudon to Ascros is fully paved, but don't let that fool you—this is a proper mountain drive. The narrow, winding route climbs steeply with sections hitting 8.0% grades, so you'll definitely want to keep your eyes on the road and your hands steady on the wheel. Watch out for some seriously rocky passages that demand careful navigation.

The payoff? Absolutely stunning views over the low-lying Estéron valley that make every switchback worthwhile. Just take your time, respect the terrain, and you'll have an unforgettable alpine experience.

Where is it?

Col de Ve Gautier: good road quality and pleasant grading is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.1928, 1.9001

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Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
11.7 km
Max Elevation
1,099 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
46.1928, 1.9001

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