Col du Ranfolly

Col du Ranfolly

France, europe

Length

8 km

Elevation

1,650 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Col du Ranfolly: A Thrilling Alpine Climb

Ready for a seriously fun mountain adventure? Col du Ranfolly sits pretty at 1,650 meters (5,413 feet) in the Haute-Savoie department of southeastern France's Rhône-Alpes region—and it's absolutely worth the drive.

Starting from the charming town of Morzine, you're looking at an 8-kilometer push uphill on the well-maintained D354 road. Now, here's where it gets interesting: you'll be climbing 675 meters of elevation over those 8 km, which means an average gradient of 8.4%. Translation? It's genuinely steep and keeps you engaged the whole way up.

The asphalt is solid throughout, so you won't have to worry about sketchy surfaces—just focus on enjoying the climb and the scenery unfolding around you. Your legs (or your engine, depending on how you're traveling) will definitely feel this one, but that's exactly what makes reaching the top so satisfying. This is the kind of pass that makes for an unforgettable day in the Alps.

Where is it?

Col du Ranfolly is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.7055, 2.4603

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Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
8 km
Max Elevation
1,650 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
46.7055, 2.4603

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