The Wild Road to Col du Jandri in the French Alps
Col du Jandri is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.165m (10,383ft) above sea level, located in France. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.
Where is Col du Jandri?
The peak is located in the Isère department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in the southeast-central part of the country, high in the Ecrins massif of the French Alps.
Can you drive to Col du Jandri?
The road to the summit is called the R1-2 trail. It is a service road for the various ski lifts and cable cars of Les Deux Alpes ski station. This runway forms the highest trafficable road in the Alps and includes very steep ramps. The road is signposted as a mountain bike cross-country course and is even used by motorized heavy vehicles. On the way to the summit, the road runs through Col des Gourses, at an elevation of 2.565m (8,415ft) above sea level.
Is the road to Col du Jandri paved?
The road has paved and unpaved sections. Starting at Le Bourg-d'Oisans, the ascent is 26.9km (16.71 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 2.458 meters, and the average gradient is 9.1 %. The maximum slope is 16%. The road is asphalted to 1.730 m altitude, just above the highest houses on the side. Then the gravel road is good enough for cycling with a road bike on. The track still stands winding, often stony, dusty, and steep. You'll have to challenge some very steep grades which require both physical strength and a very low gear.
Is the road to Col du Jandri open?
Located to the west of Glacier de Mont-de-Lans, it's one of the highest roads in the country. This road is usually open throughout the summer. A panoramic restaurant is situated at the summit, providing amazing views of the glacier.
Pic: http://www.allaguida.it/foto/strade-piu-alte-deuropa_14919_2.html