The breathtaking road to Col de Caron in the Massif de la Vanoise
France, europe
28.3 km
2,996 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de Caron
Nestled in the French Alps at a jaw-dropping 2,996 meters (9,829 feet), Col de Caron is basically as high as roads get in Europe. You'll find this beast tucked away in Orelle, a small commune in the Savoie department, sitting pretty in the Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France.
Here's where it gets wild: the entire 28.3-kilometer (17.58-mile) route is unpaved. This is the Val Thorens-Orelle road—a ski-lift service road that connects the upscale Val Thorens ski resort with the village of Orelle. The drive features a staggering 55 hairpin turns, and yes, they're all numbered and signed so you can tick them off like some kind of alpine bingo.
Fair warning: this isn't a casual Sunday drive. You'll need a 4x4 to even attempt it. The road clings to the side of the Massif de la Vanoise range, often running directly beneath the chairlift itself. The average gradient of 10.4% gets genuinely gnarly around the corners, where you're looking at 17-18% inclines that'll make your vehicle (and your nerves) work overtime.
But the payoff? Absolutely stunning panoramic views of thousands of summits stretching across France, Switzerland, and Italy. It's the kind of scenery that makes every hairpin turn feel worth it.
Only accessible during the summer months—realistically July and August—this remote alpine challenge is for serious drivers seeking something truly unforgettable.
Where is it?
The breathtaking road to Col de Caron in the Massif de la Vanoise is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.1536, 1.7928
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 28.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,996 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.1536, 1.7928
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