
Road trip guide: Conquering Punta Bagna in the Savoie
France, europe
9 km
2,730 m
hard
Year-round
# Punta Bagna: Alpine Adventure in the French Alps
Ready for a wild mountain drive? Head to Punta Bagna, a stunning 2,730m (8,956ft) peak sitting pretty in France's Savoie department, just near the legendary Fréjus Pass in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
This isn't your typical scenic drive—it's a rough-and-tumble 9km (5.59 miles) adventure starting from Le Seuil that'll test your nerve and your vehicle's suspension. The entire route is unpaved, serving as a service road for the chairlift, so expect some seriously narrow passages and heart-pounding steep sections that hit gradients up to 20%. It's gnarly stuff, but that's part of the charm.
The reward? A summit hangout with a charming little bar and chairlift at the top station of the Fréjus cableway. You've earned that drink.
Nestled high in the Cottian Alps, this road ranks among France's highest, but here's the catch—it's only passable from roughly July through October. Come winter, snow and weather conditions lock the gates shut, so plan your visit accordingly. Time it right, and you'll experience one of the most exhilarating alpine drives around.
Where is it?
Road trip guide: Conquering Punta Bagna in the Savoie is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.2429, 1.9424
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,730 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.2429, 1.9424
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