A 5-star road to Col d'Ares in the Pyrenees

# Coll d'Ares: A Stunning Pyrenean Crossing

Ready for a memorable mountain adventure? The Coll d'Ares sits pretty at 1,513m (4,964ft) in the Pyrenees, straddling the France-Spain border and connecting the French Pyrénées-Orientales region with Ripollès in Catalonia. Fun fact: the name comes from eagles, not the Greek god of war—pretty cool, right?

Starting from the charming medieval village of Prats-de-Mollo-La-Preste, you're looking at a 13.06 km (8.1 miles) climb with 875 meters (2,871ft) of elevation gain. The average gradient sits at a manageable 6.6%, making it accessible for most riders and drivers. Before you head out, grab fuel here—it's your last chance before crossing into Spain. Pro tip: wander through the village's delightful maze of narrow streets if you get the chance. Just be prepared to potentially detour through La Preste Les Bains, though that's half the fun!

The road itself is beautifully paved and generous in width, making it welcoming even for beginners. That said, the descent on the French side gets steep, so make sure your brakes are in top condition and bundle up—it gets chilly!

Once you crest the pass, prepare for jaw-dropping panoramas of rolling hills and mountains stretching across the landscape. The pass itself is wonderfully peaceful, with just a handful of closed shops to greet you.

Cross into Spain via the C-38, and you'll notice the pavement quality actually improves. Fair warning though: the Spanish side descends much faster than the French side climbs, and guardrails are pretty sparse. The road is impressively wide—even 40-ton trucks pass each other with ease—but stay alert. The descent eventually deposits you in the picturesque village of Camprodon.

Traffic here is blessedly light, making this an ideal route for a borderless escape. The Tour de France tackled this pass once back in 1968, and it remains a gem for exploring some incredible roads in both countries.