Where is Col de Braus?
France, europe
21.5 km
1,002 m
moderate
Year-round
Col de Braus: buckle up for hairpin heaven in France's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur! This legendary pass, clocking in at 21.5 km (13.35 miles), snakes its way up to 1,002m (3,287ft) in the Alpes-Maritimes, acting as the gateway between Nice and Menton.
Get ready to tackle around 40 seriously impressive stacked hairpins on the D2204, a road that forms part of the iconic Monte Carlo Rally. These aren't just any turns; think medieval-fortress-worthy walls holding them in place. It's a thrilling mix of tight switchbacks and sweeping curves, promising a good test for your driving skills.
The views are unreal, but stay sharp! There are some serious drops, and the road can get narrow, so keep an eye out for oncoming traffic. Give yourself 35-45 minutes to drive it without stops. Fancy a detour? A little road near the top offers a "long-cut" to Col de Turini via Col de l’Able.
Make sure to pull over at the viewpoints – you won't regret it. The French countryside vistas are stunning. At the summit, take a breather (and give your brakes a rest!) and check out the monument to René Vietto.
From L'Escarène, the climb stretches 10.3 km with a 662m elevation gain (6.4% average). From Sospel, it's 11.2 km with a 639m gain (5.7% average). The gradients peak at 12.3%, keeping things interesting. The Col de Braus has even featured in the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 21.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,002 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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