Les Martinaux | 1690 METER | Les Bains de Lavay Les Bains de Lavay

Les Martinaux is not a classic Alpine pass, but rather a dead-end road that ends at an altitude of almost 1,700 metres. And that's a good thing. Because it means you can drive the 52 hairpin bends and curves that lead to the top again straight away.

However, this Alpine pass is ideal for those who enjoy driving tight and steep curves and hairpin bends. The route requires skill and confidence in corners.

The ramp is divided into two hairpin sections, separated by a more moderate section of road. Before the second series of bends, the ramp leads through the small, idyllically situated mountain village of Morcles and past a military base. This appears relatively suddenly. The checkpoint is located in a 180-degree hairpin bend, where the road becomes as wide as a car park. If you don't have the hairpin bend in view, you'll end up at the barrier to the military base. At least this gives you direct and quick contact with the local population. Probably the only one, as the road is very quiet.

The second section of bends is even more interesting than the first. You get the feeling that with every hairpin bend, the road becomes narrower and steeper. The last two kilometres or so to the highest point, a small car park, are also gravel. On the other hand, the bends are moderate and less steep.

There are fantastic views down into the Rhône Valley at every turn, and the view directly from the car park is also unique.

To help you understand the combination of bends and hairpin turns, here is a link to our interactive Alpine Pass Atlas. It takes you directly to the route from the village of Les Bains de Lavay below.

Note: Everyone always talks about the hairpin bends, the ‘lacets’ of the Col du Chaussy. Admittedly, they are fantastic, especially because of the wonderful view, but in terms of bends, the ramp from ‘Les Martinaux’ is definitely on a par.