The Col de la Bonette boasts the highest paved road in the Alps, at 2,802m above sea level.

And while it is not, as often proclaimed, the highest in Europe, it is still an awe-inspiring ascent – the ‘stuff of legend’ according to sportive veteran Mike Cotty.

The Col Collective have already guided us up the northern face of the mountain, from Jausiers, and are now back to lead the way up from St-Etienne, taking in the Vens waterfall and Camp des Fourches en route.

“As you climb higher the sheer peacefulness that the Bonette instils often reminds you of how simple life can be,” Cotty explains. “Until it takes on an eerie (almost surreal) twist as you pass through the now derelict Camp des Fourches, once home to a battalion of Alpine troops.

“It’s not often that you get both character and history melded together in such a beautiful way to create a climb that no matter how long it takes, or how much it hurts, by the summit you can’t help but feel totally alive once more.”

Vital statistics

Start: Saint Étienne de Tinée
Length: 25.8km
Summit: 2,802m
Elevation gain: 1,652m
Average gradient: 6.4%
Max gradient: 15%