
Where is Gorges du Guiers Vif?
France, europe
11.8 km
621 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps, right on the border of Isère and Savoie. You've stumbled onto the Gorges du Guiers Vif, also known as Gorges du Frou, a seriously stunning canyon carved out by the Guiers Vif river inside the Chartreuse Natural Park.
This isn't just any drive; it's one of those legendary French balcony roads. The D520C, or Route des Entremonts, is fully paved, but get ready for a wild ride! We're talking narrow stretches that'll test your nerves, tunnels so dark you'll feel like you're in a movie, and some seriously steep climbs as you head up to Pas du Frou, a mountain pass sitting pretty at 621 meters.
The whole shebang is only about 11.8 kilometers, running from Entre-deux-Guiers to Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont. But trust me, every meter is packed with views that will make your jaw drop. Get your camera ready, because this is one road trip you'll want to remember!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 11.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 621 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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