The road to Col de la Toviere in the Alps isn't for sissies
France, europe
2.8 km
2,682 m
moderate
Year-round
# Col de la Tovière: A High-Alpine Adventure
Ready for some serious altitude? Col de la Tovière sits at a breathtaking 2,682m (8,799ft) above sea level in the Savoie department of France, making it one of the country's highest driveable peaks. You'll find it tucked away in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in the southeast, hugging the Italian border within the stunning Vanoise National Park.
Starting from Tignes, this wild 2.8km (1.73-mile) climb gains a punishing 632m of elevation—we're talking an average gradient of 22.57% that'll test your nerves and your vehicle's grit. Here's the catch: the road is completely unpaved and serves as a service road for the chairlift, so only 4x4 vehicles need apply. This isn't a casual Sunday drive.
The payoff? Absolutely worth it. At the summit, you can grab a meal at Restaurant Altitude de Tovière while soaking in panoramic views across Parc National de la Vanoise and the surrounding alpine landscape. The scenery is genuinely spectacular.
Fair warning though: this route is only open from July to September. The brutal winters and heavy snow make it completely impassable from October through June. Time your visit right, and you'll experience one of France's most exhilarating mountain roads.
Where is it?
The road to Col de la Toviere in the Alps isn't for sissies is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.3654, 2.6075
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 2.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,682 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 45.3654, 2.6075
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