Col des Fourches

Col des Fourches

France, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,258 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

# Col des Fourches: Alpine Adventure Awaits

Ready for a serious elevation gain? Col des Fourches sits pretty at 2,258 meters (7,408 feet) in France's Maritime Alps, right in the heart of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur. The road up (D64) is fully paved, which means you can actually focus on the views instead of wrestling with your steering wheel.

As you climb toward the summit, you'll start noticing some fascinating relics from military history scattered around—including the intriguing Ouvrage sul Col des Fourches and Fort de Roche la Croix. These old fortifications add a cool historical layer to what's already an impressive mountain crossing.

The scenery is pure Alpine gold, with dramatic peaks and stunning vistas that'll make you want to pull over constantly for photos. Whether you're a road-tripping enthusiast or just chasing that perfect mountain pass experience, this one delivers the goods. Just come prepared for the altitude and weather conditions—mountain passes have a way of keeping you humble.

Where is it?

Col des Fourches is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.6754, 1.9214

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Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,258 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
45.6754, 1.9214

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