Where is Col de la Lariée?
France, europe
0.6 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Nestled on the wild border where France shakes hands with Italy, just northwest of Basera Pass, you'll stumble upon Col de la Lariée. This isn't your average Sunday drive – think historical military track clinging to the Alpine ridgeline, linking the Piedmont region to the stunning Alpes-Maritimes.
So, where exactly is this hidden gem? Picture southeastern France (Alpes-Maritimes department) meeting the Italian region of Piedmont. It’s a landscape dotted with relics of early 20th-century military fortifications. You're riding along the crest of the mountains, with jaw-dropping views of the Ligurian Alps' rugged limestone peaks and, if you're lucky, a distant peek at the Mediterranean. It's a crucial path for anyone itching to explore the region's old border defenses.
Heads up: the road to the summit is all unpaved glory. We're talking a classic high-altitude military route of loose gravel, crushed rock, and raw earth. While technically passable, a high-clearance 4x4 is your best bet. It's narrow, exposed, and loves a good steep drop – no guardrails here! Tread carefully and keep a steady hand on the wheel. Rain can turn the rocky surface treacherous, and that thin mountain soil? Muddy mayhem in sections.
From the famous , the track to Col de la Lariée clocks in at a mere 650 meters (0.4 miles). Don’t let the short distance fool you – it's an intense ride with serious elevation and a wildly rocky path. Keep in mind, this route usually only opens between late June and October. Heavy snow and ice keep these high-altitude ridges locked down for the rest of the year. If you’re tackling the full "Via del Sale" or exploring the ridge-top military roads between Italy and France, this short but challenging stretch is a must.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 0.6 km
- Difficulty
- hard
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