Linking the Var valley to the Ubaye through the Mercantour massif, the Col de la Cayolle offers one of the wildest and quietest crossings on the Route des Grandes Alpes.
A long climb into the high mountains
From Saint-Martin-d’Entraunes, it’s 20.3 km for 1,282 m of elevation gain, averaging 6.3%. The road climbs steadily through gorges and alpine pastures up to the pass, sitting at 2,326 m on the border between Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
A historic pass on the Route des Grandes Alpes
A landmark stretch of the route linking Lake Geneva to Menton, the Col de la Cayolle has also featured several times in the Tour de France, usually ranked first-category or Hors Catégorie on stages crossing the Southern Alps.
Getting the ride right
The isolated, lightly trafficked pass offers few refuelling points on its upper section: it’s worth setting off with enough water and food, especially outside the peak summer season.
When to go
June to September: the road closes in winter due to snow, and the pass can stay closed until June in some years depending on conditions.
Good to know
Saint-Martin-d’Entraunes, the small starting village, offers an authentic setting in the Var valley, while the descent on the Ubaye side reaches Barcelonnette, a convenient base for linking up with other major passes in the region.
