Where is Col de la Lombarde-Colle della Lombarda?
France, europe
41.6 km
2,354 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between France and Italy, high in the Alps, at the Col de la Lombarde (or Colle della Lombarda, if you're feeling Italian). This beauty connects the Alpes-Maritimes in France with Piedmont in Italy, and let me tell you, the views are worth the drive.
The road? Totally paved, so no need for a monster truck. But don’t get complacent! This isn't a Sunday drive. Think 41.6 km (25.84 miles) of pure adrenaline, snaking from Isola, France, up to Vinadio, Italy. We're talking about 75 hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills! The road is known as M97 on the French side, and SP255 when you cross into Italy.
You'll climb to 2,354m (7,723ft) above sea level, and some sections are seriously steep – we're talking gradients of up to 17%! Budget around 1 to 1.5 hours for the drive, but trust me, you'll want to stop. The scenery is incredible and you'll see remains of military structures from World War II near the top. Plus, there’s a small parking area at the summit to take it all in. Keep in mind that this pass is usually only open during the summer months. It’s even been part of the Tour de France!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 41.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,354 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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