Col de la Machine
France · Drôme
1,011m
Key Facts
- Elevation
- 1,011m
- Route length
- 17 km
- Max gradient
- 10%
- Hairpins
- 3
- Driving difficulty
- Moderate (2/5)
- Surface
- Fair
- Open
- April - November
Route & Map
Loading map
Route
SSaint-Jean-en-Royans
17 km · max 10%
▲Col de la Machine (1,011m)
Descent
ECol de la Machine (summit)
Spectacular road in the Vercors through the Combe Laval, one of the most dramatic cliff roads in the Alps, carved into vertical limestone with tunnels.
Weather & Conditions
Driving Experience
Elevation Profile
↑1,093m gain
↓115m loss
246m → 1,224m → 1,224m
Difficulty
Moderate
2/5 — car driving difficulty
Based on steepness, elevation gain, hairpins, road length & surface quality
Hairpin Turns
3
A few tight turns to keep it interesting
When to Drive
April - November (Best: June - August)
- ›Open April - November. Check locally for exact opening dates as conditions vary each year.
- ›Morning hours offer the best driving conditions with less traffic.
- ›Road surface varies in quality. Watch for loose gravel and uneven patches.
Coordinates
- Summit
- 44.9422°N, 5.3467°E
- Start (Saint-Jean-en-Royans)
- 45.0203°N, 5.2922°E
- End (Col de la Machine (summit))
- 44.9422°N, 5.3467°E
#vercors#cliff-road#dramatic#tunnels
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Image: Fred / CC BY-SA 3.0