Guide to the top of Col de Finiels
France, europe
21.7 km
1,541 m
moderate
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
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
hardThe road to Casielles is the ‘Petit Alpe d’Huez’ with 23 hairpin turns
🇪🇸 Spain
# Casielles: A Ghost Town Adventure in the Spanish Mountains Perched at 809 meters (2,654 feet) in Asturias's Ponga council, the tiny ghost town of Casielles is a hidden gem that'll make your heart race—and not just from the elevation. Nestled on the edge of Picos de Europa National Park, this place is like stepping back in time, with charming traditional stone houses, centuries-old Beyuscan granaries, and a quaint church dedicated to San Juan. The views toward Los Beyos Gorge? Absolutely breathtaking. Now, here's the catch: getting there is definitely not for the faint of heart. The 4.1-km approach road is notorious among locals, earning the nickname "Small Alpe d'Huez" for good reason. Starting from the N-625 highway, you'll climb 472 meters with an average gradient of 11.51%—but that's just the baseline. The real challenge? Those 23 wickedly sharp hairpin turns, some hitting a punishing 21% gradient. The road itself is a narrow ribbon carved directly into the rock, mostly covered in loose gravel that turns treacherously slippery without warning. Many who drive it regularly will tell you they absolutely hate it. But if you're up for the challenge, the reward is a spectacular mountain town frozen in time with stunning panoramic views that'll make every white-knuckle turn worth it.
hardWhere is Strada Provinciale 97 di Racollo?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're carving through the Italian countryside in the southern part of Italy, inside Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga. You're on Strada Provinciale 97 di Racollo, a totally sweet escape for anyone who loves to drive. Think twisting curves, some seriously tight hairpin turns, and just enough straightaways to catch your breath. It's mostly empty too, so you'll have the road to yourself! This baby climbs up to 1,636m (5,367ft) offering unreal views as you go. It's 13.2km (8.2 miles) of pure driving bliss, winding from Santo Stefano di Sessanio to Strada Statale 17bis (SS17bis). The road isn't perfect (a few spots are a little rough), but the views more than make up for it. The scenery of the surrounding landscape and mountains is breathtaking, especially from the top. You can even see the picturesque Lago Racollo from the highest point! Just a heads-up: this is the Abruzzo mountain range, which means heavy snowfall in winter, so keep that in mind when planning your trip!
moderateIs the road through Karabet Geçidi paved?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! Let's talk about the Karabet Geçidi, a seriously high mountain pass tucked away in Turkey's Van Province. We're talking almost 10,000 feet (2,994m) above sea level, making it one of the highest drives in the country! The road itself, the Bahcesaray-Catak road (also known as Krapet Geçidi), is a smooth, paved beauty. But don't get too comfortable – you'll be twisting and turning through a whole heap of hairpin bends for about 26.5 miles (42.7 km) as you climb from Bahçesaray towards Gevaş Çatak Yolu Road. Now, the lowdown: This pass is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather forecast, especially in winter. This area gets hammered with snow, and short-term closures are pretty common. But hey, if you time it right, spring brings a crazy explosion of wildflowers. Locals say that for half the year, these mountains "belong to God"! Pretty epic, right?
moderateIs Congosto de Baldellou paved?
🇪🇸 Spain
Hey adventurers! Ever dreamt of cruising through a real-life movie set? Then you HAVE to check out Congosto de Baldellou in Huesca, Aragon, Spain. Seriously, this canyon road is one of Spain's best-kept secrets. We're talking about a smooth, paved ribbon of road (it's the A-2218, if you're mapping it) carving its way through the stunning gorges etched out by the Pedriza River. Think dramatic scenery, epic views, and that feeling of pure, unadulterated freedom. You'll be winding through the Congosto de Camporrels and Congosto del Regué – names that just scream "adventure," right? This little slice of heaven is about 6 km (roughly 4 miles) long, connecting Camporrélls and Baldellou. It's a quickie – only about 10-12 minutes if you don't stop (but trust me, you'll WANT to stop for photos!). A word of warning: the road can get a bit narrow in places, and rockslides are a possibility. Rainy days? Take it slow, the surface can be slippery.