A gravel road to Col des Laquets in the French Pyrenees
France, europe
5.6 km
2,637 m
hard
Year-round
# Col des Laquets: A True Pyrenean Adventure
Looking for an ultimate mountain challenge? Col des Laquets sits pretty at 2,637 meters (8,651 feet) high in the French Pyrenees, nestled in the Hautes-Pyrénées department. This is seriously high-altitude territory.
Starting from the gift shop at Col du Tourmalet, you're looking at a 5.6 km (3.47 miles) white-knuckle climb that'll gain you 566 meters of elevation. We're talking an average gradient of 10.10%, with some sections hitting a brutal 24% — this isn't for the faint of heart or inexperienced drivers.
Here's the thing: this isn't your typical paved road. It's unpaved, loose, and seriously steep. You'll navigate narrow, cliff-lined stretches and pass through two short tunnels that add to the drama. Fair warning — snow can block the route even into late June, so timing matters.
While cars hit a locked gate partway up (sorry, four-wheelers!), hikers and cyclists are welcome to push through. The payoff? Absolutely breathtaking views of the central Pyrenees that'll make every hairpin turn worth it. There's talk of building Hôtellerie des Laquets on top, which could eventually mean a paved surface — but for now, you're getting the raw, untamed mountain experience.
Bonus: Pic du Midi de Bigorre is just a short walk beyond the pass if you want to extend your adventure.
Where is it?
A gravel road to Col des Laquets in the French Pyrenees is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.1320, 2.9754
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 5.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,637 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.1320, 2.9754
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