Col des Montets

Col des Montets is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.461m (4,793ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France.

Col des Montets
Col des Montets

The road to the summit, located in the French Alps, is asphalted. It’s called D1506 and links Chamonix (France) and Martigny (in the canton of Valais, Switzerland). The journey offers an exhilarating driving experience, with superb views. An At the top of the pass you'll find the of the Aiguilles Rouges chalet reserve and a natural trail where you'll discover the flora and fauna of the Alps. The road does not present any significant difficulties. The slope is never too steep and the road surface is in excellent condition.
Do not travel this pass in severe weather conditions. The pass is generally open in winter but can get heavy snow. It can be closed anytime due to extreme weather or avalanche danger. Winter tires and/or Snow chains are highly recommended! Check here current road conditions. When the pass is closed, on the French side, vehicles can use a dual train tunnel called Tunnel des Montets (one lane controlled by signal). The tunnel  has been converted to a dual purpose railway tunnel which can also be used by cars and trucks.

The pass appeared in the Tour de France several times.There are 2 routes to reach the summit. Starting from Chamonix, the ascent is 11.7 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 384 meters. The average gradient is 3.3% with sections up to 8.3%. And starting from Le Chatelard, the ascent is 8.2 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 377 meters. The average gradient is 4.6%, with sections up to 7.5%.