
Col des Verniers
France, europe
N/A
1,042 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: the Col des Verniers in the French Alps. We're talking seriously stunning scenery in the Hautes-Alpes department of southeastern France. This pass tops out at 1,042 meters (3,418 feet), so you know the views are going to be epic.
The road, the D149, connects Saint-Auban-d'Oze with Châteauneuf-d'Oze, and it's a paved adventure. Word to the wise: it's narrow in spots and a bit on the steep side, so keep your eyes peeled and be ready for some twists and turns. But hey, that's part of the fun, right? Get ready for an unforgettable drive!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 1,042 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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