Col du Cheval Mort, Mountain pass in Massif Central, France.
Col du Cheval Mort is a mountain pass in the Lozère department at 1,454 meters elevation that connects the valleys of La Colagne and Chapeauroux. The route D3 runs through this area, linking communities on both sides of the pass.
The pass takes its name from a legend about a traveler called Baptistou who sought shelter with his dead horse during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve. This local tale has given the location its lasting name.
Since 2019, the Lozère Department has marked this mountain pass as one of 15 notable ascents with information posts about gradient and road conditions.
The pass is popular with cyclists who can ascend from Estables on a 4.9-kilometer route with an average gradient of about 5 percent. The road carries minimal traffic, making it a quiet ride for visitors.
An asphalt road from the pass leads to two nearby peaks: Signal de Randon and Truc de Fortunio, each just above 1,550 meters. These summits are easily accessible from the pass road and offer additional stops for visitors.
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