Alpine Passes

Mountain Roads of Europe

Col des Étroits

Col des Étroits

Switzerland / France · Vaud

1,153m

Key Facts

Elevation
1,153m
Route length
20 km
Max gradient
7%
Hairpins
10
Driving difficulty
Moderate (2/5)
Surface
Good
Open
Year-round

Route & Map

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Route

SSainte-Croix
20 km · max 7%
Col des Étroits (1,153m)
Descent
EPontarlier (France)
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Jura border pass connecting Sainte-Croix in Vaud with Pontarlier in France. Named 'the narrows' for the gorge terrain. Historic route between Switzerland and Franche-Comté.

Weather & Conditions

Driving Experience

Elevation Profile

599m721m842m964m1,085m0 km20 km40 km1,085m
589m gain
851m loss
1,085m → 1,085m → 823m

Difficulty

Moderate

2/5 — car driving difficulty

Based on steepness, elevation gain, hairpins, road length & surface quality

Hairpin Turns

10

Plenty of switchbacks to test your line

When to Drive

Year-round (best: July - September)

  • Open year-round, though winter conditions may require snow equipment.
  • Morning hours offer the best driving conditions with less traffic.

Coordinates

Summit
46.7417°N, 6.4667°E
Start (Sainte-Croix)
46.8219°N, 6.5025°E
End (Pontarlier (France))
46.9053°N, 6.3567°E
#jura#border-crossing#year-round

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Image: Arkelin / CC BY 4.0