
Where is Col de l’Homme?
France, europe
14.3 km
1,766 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Isère department of France, headed for a hidden gem called Col de l'Homme. This mountain peak sits at a cool 1,766m (5,793ft) in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and is totally worth the drive.
What makes it special? Well, at the top, you'll find the Notre-Dame de la Salette shrine, a seriously impressive 19th-century basilica. It's a popular spot for pilgrims, and the views are incredible! Plus, there's a gift shop and plenty of parking. If you're into history, a few kilometers down the road is a memorial for the victims of the 1950 airplane crash into the nearby Grande Tête de l’Obiou.
The drive up, along the D212C (or Route de la Salette, as the locals call it), is pretty smooth. The road is paved the whole way, nice and wide, and not too steep. It's 14.3 km (8.88 miles) from Corps, with an elevation gain of 822 meters and a gentle average gradient of 5.74%. Expect easy curves, light traffic, and stunning scenery all the way to the top. Trust me; this road trip is a must-do!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,766 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardDare to Drive the Challenging Col de Spandelles
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Spandelles Nestled in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of southwestern France, Col de Spandelles sits at a pretty impressive 1,378m (4,520ft) and offers a scenic mountain experience just west of Argelès-Gazost in the Occitania region. This 17.2 km (10.68 miles) route runs north-south between Ferrières and Aucun, and honestly, it's a mixed bag depending on which direction you're heading. Coming up from the north on Route du Col de Spandelles? You'll be on pavement the whole way, though fair warning—it's seen better days. Expect potholes and some seriously tight squeezes that'll have you white-knuckling the wheel. The southern approach is where things get real. Beyond Refuge du Haugarou, you're trading asphalt for gravel, and the road gets genuinely narrow and steep. It's the kind of drive that demands respect and careful navigation, but rewards you with authentic mountain scenery and that real sense of adventure. Perfect if you're looking for something with a bit of character and don't mind a rougher ride.
hardA brutal road to Col de Lauzun in the French Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Lauzun Picture this: you're perched nearly 2,800 meters up in the French Alps, surrounded by the rugged Massif de la Vanoise range in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Welcome to Col de Lauzun, one of France's most extreme mountain passes. This isn't your typical alpine drive. The 8-kilometer journey from Val Thorens ski resort to Cime de Caron follows an unpaved chairlift service road that's basically only passable if you're rolling in a serious 4x4. Think narrow, rocky terrain with steep ski-piste sections that'll test your nerves—we're talking gradients hitting 30% in places. The surface is slippery and unforgiving, with brutally rough sections that demand respect and skill. The reward? You'll be conquering one of France's highest accessible roads while traversing some genuinely stunning alpine scenery in the southeastern corner of the country. Just keep in mind this is a strictly seasonal adventure. From September through May, the pass is completely impassable, so save this one for the summer months if you're feeling adventurous enough to tackle it.
hardGeorgian Military Road: a major route from Georgia to Russia
🌍 Russia
Get ready for an epic adventure on the Georgian Military Road! This isn't just a road; it's a legendary route carved through the heart of the South Caucasus, linking Georgia and Russia. For centuries, traders and armies have traversed this path, leaving behind tales of war, commerce, and sheer grit. Originally just a rough horse trail, the Russians transformed it into a proper carriage road back in 1783 – a real feat of engineering back in the day! Think iron bridges and multiple lanes designed for both military might and civilian traffic. Spanning 212km (131 miles), this incredible highway winds from Tbilisi, Georgia's vibrant capital, to Vladikavkaz in Russia, tackling the mighty Great Caucasus Range head-on. While mostly paved, some sections can get a bit rough, especially after snow or bad weather. You might find yourself navigating gravelly patches, and be prepared to share the road with plenty of trucks. The road peaks at a breathtaking 2,395m (7,857ft) at Jvari Pass (also known as Cross Pass), where avalanches can be a real concern. Thankfully, they've built galleries to keep things moving in winter, and the pass usually stays open. While altitude sickness isn't usually a problem *on* the road, be mindful if you venture off into the surrounding mountains. Check the forecast before you go – conditions can change quickly! Though occasional closures do happen in the winter due to snow, blizzards, and limited visibility, the road is usually open year-round. Expect views that will knock your socks off, including the majestic Mt. Kazbek. Don't miss the thrill of driving through the Kazbegi Tunnel. The dramatic scenery, crisp mountain air, and sheer grandeur of the Caucasus are simply unforgettable. Keep an eye out for viewpoints along the way, including natural mineral water springs favored by locals. This landscape is the real deal, inspiring literary giants like Tolstoy, Dumas, and Gorky.
moderateTravel guide to the top of Col du Festre
🇫🇷 France
# Col du Festre Tucked away in the Hautes-Alpes region of southeastern France sits Col du Festre, a mountain pass that rises to 1,441 meters (4,727 feet) above sea level. This is proper Alpine territory in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, and it's got the credentials to prove it—the Tour de France has tackled this climb before. The road up is fully asphalted, following the D937, which keeps things relatively civilized compared to some Alpine passes. You've got options depending on where you start your ascent. From Barrage du Sautet, you're looking at a 22.1 km grind with 648 meters of elevation gain—that works out to a mellow 2.9% average gradient, making it a pretty forgiving climb as mountain passes go. If you're starting from La Madeleine instead, you'll cover 14.4 km with 591 meters of elevation gain, bringing the gradient up to 4.1% on average. It's slightly steeper but shorter, so take your pick depending on your mood and fitness level. Either way, you're in for some stunning Alpine scenery as you wind your way toward the summit.