Guide to the top of Col de Finiels

Guide to the top of Col de Finiels

France, europe

Length

21.7 km

Elevation

1,541 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

# Col de Finiels: A Alpine Adventure in Southern France

Nestled in the Lozère département of Occitania, Col de Finiels is a stunning mountain pass that sits at a crisp 1,541 meters (5,055 feet) above sea level. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like you're on top of the world—and there's even a handy parking lot at the summit if you want to stop and soak in the views.

The route up is via the D20, a fully paved road that winds its way north-south between Le Bleymard and Pont-de-Montvert-Sud-Mont-Lozère. Don't let the "fully paved" part fool you—this is no casual Sunday drive. The road spans 21.7 km (13.48 miles) total and features some genuinely steep sections, with gradients hitting up to 7.8%.

Coming from Le Bleymard, you're looking at a 10.4 km climb with 472 meters of elevation gain. That works out to an average grade of 4.5%—tough but manageable. The other side of the pass, ascending from Pont-de-Montvert, is a bit more demanding: 11.6 km with 666 meters of elevation gain averaging 5.7%. Either way, you're in for a proper alpine workout that rewards you with incredible mountain scenery and that satisfying sense of accomplishment once you reach the top.

Where is it?

Guide to the top of Col de Finiels is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 44.7742, 2.6244

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
21.7 km
Max Elevation
1,541 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
44.7742, 2.6244

Related Roads in europe

Driving to Col de La Madeleine in Savoie is Pure Adventurehard

Driving to Col de La Madeleine in Savoie is Pure Adventure

🇫🇷 France

# Col de La Madeleine Tucked away in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Col de La Madeleine sits pretty at 2,716m (8,910ft) in the heart of the Tarentaise Valley. Fair warning though—if you're thinking of the famous Tour de France version, that's a different pass entirely. This one's the real deal for adventurers. Here's the thing: this isn't your typical alpine road. It's basically a service track for a chairlift, and it's completely unpaved. We're talking 6.1 km (3.79 miles) of raw, rugged terrain running north-south from the paved D902 straight up to Col des Lésières. The catch? You'll need a serious 4x4 to even think about attempting it. What makes this route genuinely gnarly is the terrain itself. Narrow sections combined with some serious grades—we're talking slopes up to 25%—mean this isn't a Sunday cruise. The track demands respect and actual driving skills. Winter? Forget about it. This place becomes completely impassable when the snow rolls in, which makes sense considering it's one of France's highest accessible roads. But in the right season, if you've got the vehicle and the nerve, it's an absolutely unforgettable high-altitude alpine experience set against some genuinely stunning mountain scenery.

Adventure along the wild road to Karaman Bey Gecidimoderate

Adventure along the wild road to Karaman Bey Gecidi

🇹🇷 Turkey

Hey fellow road trippers! Let me tell you about this hidden gem in Turkey's Karaman Province: the Karaman Bey Gecidi, also known as Yellibel Gecidi. We're talking a lofty 1,937 meters (6,354 feet) above sea level! This paved road with loose gravel, snaking its way through the Taurus Mountains, is called the Karaman Ermenek Yolu. Located in south-central Turkey, you can usually hit this pass year-round, but be warned: winter can bring some wild weather and potential closures. The road stretches for about 30.4 kilometers (18.88 miles) from Balkusan to Yukarıakın in a south-north direction. Be prepared for some seriously steep climbs – we're talking up to a 10% gradient in places! The scenery is breathtaking, so take your time and enjoy the ride!

An old military road to Col de La Buffere in the Alpshard

An old military road to Col de La Buffere in the Alps

🇫🇷 France

# Col de Buffère Perched at a seriously impressive 2,431 meters (7,975 feet) above sea level, Col de Buffère sits in the Hautes-Alpes department of southeastern France, right in the heart of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Built between 1902 and 1907 as a military route, this pass has some serious historical clout. At the summit, you'll spot remnants of World War II fortifications—part of the Ouvrage Col de Buffere from the Maginot Line. While the original plans included more combat blocks, many were never finished, adding an intriguing sense of incompleteness to the site. Now, here's the real deal: the climb up via the Piste du Col de La Buffere is absolutely gorgeous but seriously demanding. We're talking completely unpaved terrain with gravel and rocky sections throughout. Some stretches hit gradients of 20%, so a 4x4 is pretty much essential if you're thinking of tackling this beast. The 5.1-kilometer (3.16-mile) ascent gains 314 meters with an average gradient of 6.15%—starting from the paved D234T below. Fair warning: Alpine conditions mean the road shuts down from late October through late June or early July. Also, once you get near the summit, private vehicles are barred from the final stretch. It's a protective measure for this fragile landscape and honestly makes sense given the narrow passages and heart-stopping drop-offs. Nestled within Écrins National Park, this route rewards your effort with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Mix in the historical military structures, and you've got an adventure that's equal parts natural beauty and fascinating history.

An Unforgettable Drive to Lac d’Emosson in the Swiss Alpsmoderate

An Unforgettable Drive to Lac d’Emosson in the Swiss Alps

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Lac d'Emosson: A High-Alpine Hidden Gem Nestled in the Swiss Alps near the French border, Lac d'Emosson sits pretty at 1,970m (6,463ft) elevation in the canton of Valais. This stunning high-mountain reservoir is a seriously underrated driving destination. The paved road to the lake stretches just 6.2 km (3.85 miles) from the village of Finhaut, climbing a respectable 576 meters with an average gradient of 9.29%. Sure, you'll hit some steep pitches up to 16%, and the switchbacks near the top will keep you engaged, but here's the thing—the road is blissfully quiet. Traffic is minimal, which means you can actually enjoy the unbelievable views of Mont Blanc as you wind your way up. Built back in 1925, this road has serious character. As you climb, you'll notice the scenery getting progressively more spectacular. The road typically opens from late May through October or early November, depending on snow conditions. Once you reach the top, you'll find a charming restaurant, a little chapel (Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-neiges de La Gueulaz), and a parking area. If you're feeling adventurous, you can continue on foot to Lac du Vieux Emosson, an even higher dam at 2,205m, built in 1955. Pro tip: If you'd rather skip the driving entirely, check out the Barberine Railway—a jaw-dropping funicular built in 1920 with an 87% gradient. It's literally the world's steepest two-carriage funicular. The road to Emosson even hosted a Tour de France mountain finish, which tells you everything you need to know about its credentials.