Grande Motte

Grande Motte is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.030m (9,940ft) above the sea level, located in Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France.  It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

The track to the summit, located in the Massif de la Vanoise range, in the Northern French Alps, is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times. It’s a chairlift access trail. The path is usually impassable from September to July (weather permitting). Expect a trail pretty steep. Due to the high elevations and exposure, the road is subject to strong winds and rapid weather changes. Be prepared for the cold and wind! High winds blow here all year long. Even in summer you can confront with snowy days. Temperatures here in the winter are brutally cold. Adverse weather conditions can prompt closure of the road. It can often be treacherous, with ice and snow accumulating even in the summer, so exercise caution as you make your way. It’s one of the highest roads of the country. Near the summit there’s a restaurant with 360-degree views of a sea of peaks.
Pic: Françoise Le Sonn

 

• Col du Jovet
• Pic de Chabrières is a Most Tricky Scenic Drive