Navigating the Road to Col d'Espreaux: Twists and Turns in the Alps
France, europe
13 km
1,160 m
hard
Year-round
Col d'Espréaux is a high mountain pass sitting at 1,160 meters (3,805 feet) in the Hautes-Alpes department of southeastern France. This scenic route connects the Buëch and Durance valleys in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.
The 13-kilometer (8-mile) D20 road runs north-south from Châteauneuf-d'Oze to Barcillonnette, and while it's fully paved, don't let that fool you. Loose gravel scattered across the surface can catch you off guard, especially when you're braking on the descents. Add in the steep grades—hitting a maximum of 9.1%—plus narrow winding sections, and you've got yourself a legitimate mountain driving challenge.
If the name sounds familiar, that's because serious rally enthusiasts will recognize it immediately. Col d'Espréaux has made appearances in the Tour de France and has been a key waypoint in the legendary Monte-Carlo Historic Rally. For those competitors, it's often paired with the neighboring Col de Faye as part of a demanding special stage that really tests your driving skills.
Where is it?
Navigating the Road to Col d'Espreaux: Twists and Turns in the Alps is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.8947, 3.6907
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,160 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.8947, 3.6907
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