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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 2 Feb 2006
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Highest pass in Europe
Does anybody know where is the highest pass on Europe?

2822 m Otztal Bundeestrasse near Zwieselstein??? Is it a toll road?

the second is: 2802 m Cime de la Bonette? Near Le Puy?


Thx.
Szabi
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  #2  
Old 2 Feb 2006
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Crossing from the Oetztal to Italy via Timmelsjoch pass is about 2.500m. Further south there's the Stilfser Joch Pass 2.700m plus. But I cannot say whether it's the highest. Very spectacular is the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse in Austria, but the highest point there is only 2.500m.
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Old 3 Feb 2006
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The Col de Restefond la Bonette is the highest pass in the Alps (2715) and the highest you are allowed to cross. The little loop called Cime de la Bonette next to it is a little over 2800m.

The highest in Europe is the one across the Sierra Nevada in Southern Spain going over Mulhacèn (over 3000m), but the Southern (gravel) side is closed and I don't even think you can ride the last 15km to the top any more (because it's in a National Park).

[This message has been edited by beddhist (edited 03 February 2006).]
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  #4  
Old 3 Feb 2006
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Quote:
Originally posted by santhasz:
Does anybody know where is the highest pass on Europe?
the second is: 2802 m Cime de la Bonette? Near Le Puy?
Szabi
The highest open road is Col Sommeiller in Italy, nearby Bardoneccia, have been there last summer. It is gravel road in a good condition so arrival with non-enduro bike is possible. The highest point at the end of road nearby small lake is 3005 above see level. The old buildings on the top are now removed and the plateoux is now empty, very, very nice. Worth visiting !
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Old 3 Feb 2006
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Quote:
Originally posted by santhasz:
Does anybody know where is the highest pass on Europe?

2822 m Otztal Bundeestrasse near Zwieselstein???
According to viamichelin this road is only 2080m.
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  #6  
Old 3 Feb 2006
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Quote:
Originally posted by beddhist:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="">quote:</font><HR><font face="" size="2">Originally posted by santhasz:
Does anybody know where is the highest pass on Europe?

2822 m Otztal Bundeestrasse near Zwieselstein???


According to viamichelin this road is only 2080m.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Via Michelin covers very old data. Santhash is right, at the entrance of Otztal tunel you reach 2822 above see level, paved road, but not from long time ago, mostly unknown for most of riders.
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Old 9 Feb 2006
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Hi,

the highest pass is the Pico de Veleta in south of Spain (Sierra Nevada near Grenada); about 3,394m . I went there in 1993 by car (dusty road...) and the car had lost lots of power due to the heigh. Great view, but the top was not nice (only a little pile, no sign with the total altitude), but maybe 13 years later (times fly...) there's more....
When going from north, there are nice places at the southern side for placing a tent and enjoying the sunset and the view to the Mulhacen, the highest peak there.
You can have a look at google for Pico de Veleta, you'll find more pics and stories about it.

Cheers, Chris
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Old 10 Feb 2006
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Quote:
Originally posted by chris_Graz:
Hi,

the highest pass is the Pico de Veleta in south of Spain (Sierra Nevada near Grenada); about 3,394m . I went there in 1993 by car (dusty road...) and the car had lost lots of power due to the heigh. Great view, but the top was not nice (only a little pile, no sign with the total altitude), but maybe 13 years later (times fly...) there's more....
When going from north, there are nice places at the southern side for placing a tent and enjoying the sunset and the view to the Mulhacen, the highest peak there.
You can have a look at google for Pico de Veleta, you'll find more pics and stories about it.

Cheers, Chris
Unfortunately, access to Pico Veleta is now strickly forbiden for motorbikes and cars, so even is Veleta the highest pass, it is not legaly passable.
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Old 25 Feb 2006
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I have a question about these high passes, for example Passo Dello Stelvio and the Col du Grand St. Bernand between Switzerland and Italy. I plan to travel Northern Italy and Switzerland in the latter half of April, and I wonder if it'll be too cold/snowy to cross these passes. I'm hoping to travel the Aosta, Trento, and Adige regions, but not if the weather is going to be too cold with snow at the top of each mountain pass. I need to travel relatively light.

Since I'll be on a Ducati, it's only fitting that I visit the Ducati factory and Museum in Bologna.
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Old 25 Feb 2006
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What about the Caucasus? Are there any passes near Elbrus, Europes highest mountain?
Sean
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Old 25 Feb 2006
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There must be some but for sure closed due to political instability. As the tension increases, even in the relatively safer western Caucasus, it's getting harder to reach Elbrus area even for backpackers. Doesn't look like changing (for better) in a foreseeable future...
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Old 5 Mar 2006
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seen on : http://homepages.solis.co.uk/~rider/stellist6.htm
STELLA ALPINA PLUS 2006 (Back to basics with serious altitude)
July 6th-13th 2006 (planning to include 5 out of 6 of the highest road passes in the Alps)
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Old 3 Apr 2006
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Tigerboy,

I travelled around Europe during May one year and the Stelvio Pass was still closed with snowfall. The St. Bernand pass was open but there was plenty of snow at the side of the road, but it wasn't icy on the roads during the day.

You might be lucky with the Stelvio pass. I wasn't.

Ben
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Old 4 Apr 2006
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Quote:
Originally posted by santhasz:
[B]Does anybody know where is the highest pass on Europe?
As stated by others, the highest is in southern Spain.
In the Alps, the top ten order is:

2862m La Bonette
2758m Col de l'Iseran
2758m Stilfser Joch
2744m Col Agnel
2678m Col du Restefond
2645m Col du Gali
2621m Passo di Gavia
2575 Grossglockner Hoch Tor
2509m Timmels Joch
2501m Umbrail Pass

La Bonetta should not really qualify as its only a loop to get to that altitude.
A pass should surly go somewhere... up one side and down the other!

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Old 4 Apr 2006
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Quote:
In the Alps, the top ten order is:

2862m La Bonette
2758m Col de l'Iseran
2758m Stilfser Joch
2744m Col Agnel
2678m Col du Restefond
2645m Col du Gali
2621m Passo di Gavia
2575 Grossglockner Hoch Tor
2509m Timmels Joch
2501m Umbrail Pass
[/B]
This top-ten is valid if you count paved roads only.
Regards,
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