Col de Montgenèvre
The Col de Montgenèvre (Passo del Monginevro) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.854 meters above the sea level, located in the Cottian Alps, between France and Italy. It takes its name from its nearness to the village of Montgenèvre. It connects Briançon Cesana Torinese in Italy but is located entirely on the French side of the border
The pass is traversed by the asphalted N94 road. It can get very busy with traffic in the summer. The pass links Briançon in the upper Durance valley with the Susa Valley and its communes of Cesana Torinese and Susa in the province of Turin, Piedmont. It’s an important road connection. Its importance has always lain in the fact that it is the lowest of the principal crossings of the main range of the Alps between both countries.
The Col de Montgenèvre has appeared on the Tour de France several times. There are 2 routes to reach the summit. Starting from Cesans, the ascent is 7.9 kilometers long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 481 meters. The average percentage is 6 percent. Starting from Briancon, the ascent is 14.09 kilometers long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 580 meters. The average percentage is 4.1 percentage.
Where
The descent into Italy is fast and flowing. We usually stop in the small village of Cesana for a coffee and a bite to eat mainly because this will be your first experience of Italy. The climb that follows is the harder Colle di Sestriere. The views back over to Briançon and on in to Italy are worth the climb.
Climbing out of Briançon the Col de Montgenèvre crosses the border into Italy. The 11 kilometers switchback climb is never steep and has fantastic views back over towards Briançon. Once over the border crossing you sweep down through some tunnels to the Italian town of Cesana and the base of the Col di Setstriere.
