
Where is Lac de la Sassiere?
France, europe
3.6 km
2,462 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the French Alps, Tarentaise Valley, heart of the Vanoise National Park. You're headed up Route de la Sassière towards Lac de la Sassière, a stunning mountain lake sitting pretty at 2,462 meters (8,077 feet)!
The road starts off paved, but just a few kilometers in, near a small dam, the asphalt gives way to a well-maintained dirt road. That's where you'll need to park the car and stretch your legs for the last 3.6 km push.
Starting from the D902, the whole trek is about 10 km (6.21 miles) long, climbing a hefty 648 meters. That's an average gradient of 6.48%, so it’s a good workout!
And keep your eyes peeled – this area is teeming with wildlife! Marmots and chamois are common sights along the way. Trust me, the views and the chance to spot some alpine critters make the journey totally worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 3.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,462 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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