Avoiding the Frejus Tunnel

[Borghetto]

Earlier this month I drove down to La Spezia in northern Italy. I stopped en-route in Chambery and was planning on taking the Frejus Tunnel. On discovering the toll charge of 42 euros I decided to see if there was an alternative route. I saw that the D1006 France/SP12 routed around the tunnel. I checked out the road on Youtube and it looked fun. I took this route and can report it is a great driving road. It added about I hour to the journey, but what an hour. I saw several Ferrari's on Italian plates in convoy along with some spectacular views. It wasn't very busy the day I used it (Saturday afternoon) and would recommend to anybody who fancy's a nice drive rather than the tedium of a long tunnel.

[reckless st]

hi mate i,m looking at going to south of perugia and was looking at this route but was concerned about loosing too much time taking this way but 1 hour isnt to bad

[Borghetto]

Go for it Eric. I had the roof down and was just poodling along. If you're in a hurry you could cut the time quite a bit. I've posted a video I saw on Youtube that convinced me to take this route. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8veN0b1b6Eg

[ROLFSSEN]

Sorry to resurrect a very old thread.

(I found the thread when I Googled "avoiding the Frejus tunnel")

Id the route that is suggested above open all year round - or does it become blocked with snow.

I ask because I have been looking at this route on Google maps, and it won't let me use it, even if I put in all the villages as way-points. It'll always divert me back to the tunnel.

I fancy using it on my trip to Piemonte over Christmas.

Thanks in anticip.

Tim

[anonymous-user]

Book online here and it is €33 not €42.

For a while this year there was a landslide on the col which is free so you couldn't use it. They reduced the price to €16.50 for a return ticket. This is now only open to people who live in the region.

http://www.serrechevalier-reservation.com/fr/pass-...

[ROLFSSEN]

Nice one! Thanks for this.

Tim

[Puggit]

This site says it's closed from Oct-May: http://www.dangerousroads.org/europe/france/228-mo...

Good video of the climb up from France too.

[anonymous-user]

Puggit said:

This site says it's closed from Oct-May: http://www.dangerousroads.org/europe/france/228-mo...

Good video of the climb up from France too.

OP was asking in June. Tunnel open all year round as it is a main route to Italy from France.

Most of the cols in that area are non déneigée and so yes, are closed October to May.