The unpaved road to Col de la Bathie in Savoie
France, europe
6 km
1,884 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de la Bâthie
Tucked away in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Col de la Bâthie sits at a pretty impressive 1,884m (6,181ft) elevation. This mountain pass is nestled south of Mont Mirantin in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and it's absolutely worth the detour.
The real adventure here is getting to the top via the Route Forestière de la Ravoire—a gloriously rugged, unpaved forest road that stretches about 6km (3.7 miles) from Le Mondon. Fair warning: this isn't your typical smooth highway. Expect narrow passages and some seriously steep pitches that'll keep you on your toes (and your brakes sharp).
Once you summit at 2,024m (6,640ft), you'll find Refuge Les Arolles, a cozy mountain hut built back in 1987, plus a traditional cross marking the pass. The views? Absolutely stellar—particularly if you're lucky enough to catch sight of Mont Blanc on a clear day. The refuge offers wonderful vistas down to Arêches as well.
Just keep in mind that this road isn't maintained during winter months, so time your visit accordingly. The high-altitude Beaufortain Massif location means conditions can change fast, but that's part of what makes this such a rewarding backcountry experience.
Where is it?
The unpaved road to Col de la Bathie in Savoie is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.0665, 1.7249
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 6 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,884 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.0665, 1.7249
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