
Where is Col des Lessieres?
France, europe
4.2 km
2,936 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure-seekers, because Col des Lessières in the French Alps is calling! We're talking seriously high – almost 10,000 feet high in the Savoie department, near the Italian border. This isn't your Sunday drive; it's a rugged 2.6-mile climb from the D902.
The road? Well, "road" might be a generous term. Think unpaved, rocky, loose gravel – 4x4 territory only! Expect narrow sections, hairpin turns galore, and some seriously steep gradients, pushing up to 25% in places. It gains 1,500 feet of elevation!
The views are incredible, but be warned, this beast is usually snowed in from October to June. So, plan your trip accordingly for a thrilling summer adventure.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 4.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,936 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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