Is the road to Col du Chaussy paved?
France, europe
3 km
1,533 m
hard
Year-round
Get ready for the Col du Chaussy, a wicked mountain pass in the French Alps! Located in the Savoie department, this road hits a summit of 1,533m (5,029ft). The real kicker? The legendary "Lacets de Montvernier" at the start. This 3 km stretch is insane, with 17 hairpin turns practically glued to a cliff face!
Yep, the entire road, known as D77B, is paved, but don't think it's a smooth ride. Those seventeen hairpins are stacked super close together, climbing steeply. Built way back in 1934, Col du Chaussy is famous for these unbelievable bends, a true feat of engineering. But it's not just about the hairpins; you'll climb over 1000 meters overall!
This road is narrow! Remember, uphill traffic has priority. If you need to reverse, the more maneuverable vehicle yields. On the way up, stick to 3rd or 4th gear, and use engine braking on the descent, especially before tight turns. You'll drop 400 meters in just 3 miles on those corners! Pre-trip brake checks are essential.
The initial bendy section is concentrated in a 2.5km stretch, so you will be turning constantly! After the hairpins, the road winds through alpine fields, with a stunning cliffside section near the top. The slope evens out to about 7-8% as you pass through villages like Le Noirey, Montbrunal, and Montpascal. The last few kilometers to the summit aren’t in great condition.
Starting in La Chambre or Pontamafrey, the climb is around 14 km with an average gradient of 7.4%.
This drive is also super scenic! If you look up from the road, you might spot the ruins of an old castle. It took six years (1928-1934) to conquer that 400-meter ascent.
Cyclists will find this a real challenge. The upper section runs through villages and offers views of the Belledonne Mountains.
This is one of France's most famous balcony roads. It's not for the faint of heart, with little room for error on those cliff edges. This is a must-drive for any road trip enthusiast!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,533 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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