
Where is Col des Ves?
France, europe
6.4 km
2,793 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the French Alps, deep in Vanoise National Park. You're headed for Col des Ves, a seriously high peak at over 9,100 feet. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks! The road's unpaved and pretty much used for ski lift maintenance, but hey, it's one of the highest roads in France!
Clocking in at just under 4 miles, this climb packs a punch with a hefty elevation gain, making for a pretty steep average gradient. The views? Absolutely stunning. The challenge? Totally worth it. Just a heads up: forget about this route in winter. Between the snow and the crazy winds, it's a no-go. Summer is the time to conquer this bad boy!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 6.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,793 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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