An iconic road to Col de Puymorens in the Pyrenees
France, europe
10.7 km
1,920 m
moderate
Year-round
Col de Puymorens is a stunning high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,920 meters (6,299 feet) in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of France. Nestled in the Occitania region down south, it's right in that sweet spot near the Spanish border with views toward the Mediterranean.
The fully paved N320 road climbs 10.7 kilometers (6.64 miles) from the N20 to the N22, running south to north. Fair warning though – this route gets seriously busy with traffic, including plenty of heavy trucks. The terrain is no joke either, with some brutal 7.7% gradients that'll test your driving skills. If you're into cycling, you might recognize it from Tour de France coverage – yeah, it's *that* famous.
Since it's up there in the Pyrenees, the pass stays open year-round, which is pretty impressive. Winter can throw some curveballs though – occasional closures happen when conditions get gnarly. Pro tip: if you want to skip the climb entirely, there's a tunnel that's been handling through-traffic since 1994, so you've got options.
The scenery around here is absolutely worth the drive though. Whether you're tackling the pass itself or exploring the surrounding area, it's the kind of place that makes road trips memorable.
Where is it?
An iconic road to Col de Puymorens in the Pyrenees is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.0736, 1.2406
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 10.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,920 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 46.0736, 1.2406
Related Roads in europe
extremeIs Colle del Garezzo paved?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure awaits in Liguria, Italy! Colle del Garezzo is a seriously scenic mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,795 meters. You'll find it nestled in the hills of Imperia, in northern Italy. The road starts out paved, but be warned: it turns to gravel, and gets a bit rough up near the top. They keep the speed limit low at 20 km/h for a reason! Heads up, the road is usually closed from November to the end of March. There's also a 70-meter tunnel, so be prepared for darkness. Seriously, you need to take it slow and steady, especially on the unpaved sections – best to leave your low-riding sports car at home for this one. This route connects the Arroscia and Argentina valleys. The climb is about 19.5 km long with an average gradient of 7%. The last 7km is gravel. The 18 km descent is all tarmac with a 7.2% average gradient and a few extra steep parts thrown in for fun. Historically, the road is part of the Via del Sale, a route dating back to the Middle Ages. It was used to haul salt from the coast. Later, it was beefed up into a military road to connect forts along the French border. Now, it's a fantastic off-road track that snakes along the ridges of the Maritime Alps, right on the border between Italy and France. Expect wild landscapes, stunning sea views, and unforgettable mountain vistas. The road saw use in WWII, adding another layer to its already rich history.
extremeRuta Urdon-Tresviso is a challenging mule track
🇪🇸 Spain
# Ruta Urdón-Tresviso: A Spectacular Mountain Trek Through Spain's Picos de Europa Nestled in the stunning Liebana zone between Asturias and Cantabria, the Ruta Urdón-Tresviso is a legendary mule track that'll test your legs and reward your soul. This 5.9 km (3.66 miles) east-west route climbs a jaw-dropping 895 meters from the N-621 road at Desfiladero de La Hermida all the way up to the charming village of Tresviso perched high in the mountains. Fair warning: this isn't a casual stroll. Built back in the 1800s by a mining company called 'La Providencia' to haul materials to the Andara mine, this rocky, unpaved path means serious business. With a brutal 37% maximum gradient in places and a relentless 15.16% average climb, you'll be earning every step. The track's also known by several names—Subida a Tresviso, La Senda de La Peña, or Ruta a Tresviso—and it's permanently closed to vehicles for good reason. Expect countless hairpin turns and genuinely hair-raising drop-offs that demand your full attention and respect. Even Spanish Civil War soldiers knew this route's challenges. Timing matters too: winters bring heavy snow while summers get scorching hot, so pack accordingly and bring way more water than you think you'll need. But here's the payoff: the scenery is absolutely unreal. As you climb through names like Ahileras, Entrelospuentes, and el balcón de Pilatos—where you'll encounter a stomach-dropping 600-meter vertical drop with panoramic views of the Urdón river—you'll understand why this trek is worth every breathless moment.
extremeThe narrow, bad and old road to the top of Col de Sarenne
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Sarenne: France's Ultimate Alpine Challenge Perched at a heart-pounding 2,004 meters (6,574 ft) in the Isère department, Col de Sarenne ranks among France's most intense mountain passes. Nestled high in the Grandes Rousses massif of the Central French Alps in the Rhône-Alpes region, this beast of a road isn't for the faint-hearted. The 20.9-kilometer (12.98-mile) Route du Col de Sarenne stretches from Mizoën to Huez, climbing relentlessly with gradients hitting 14.1% at their steepest. What makes it truly gnarly? The road surface itself is a mixed bag—mostly paved, but with sketchy unpaved sections that'll keep you white-knuckling the wheel. The asphalt quality ranges from decent to downright sketchy, especially at the edges, and narrow pinch points mean you definitely can't pass an oncoming car. Those steep drops? Unguarded. A 30-meter plunge awaits any mistakes. Guardrails? Forget about it. Bigger vehicles are banned from this road entirely. But here's the thing: despite being relatively close to civilization, Col de Sarenne feels genuinely remote. The rough pavement and quiet atmosphere make it feel like you've discovered some hidden corner of the Alps. There's even a tiny restaurant and parking lot at the summit if you need to catch your breath. The road closes from late October through early June and runs alongside the GR54 hiking trail for much of its length. Oh, and it's famous enough to have been tackled by Tour de France cyclists—so yes, people actually race up this monster.
hardCamino Llano de Tauce: Ultimate 4wd destination
🇪🇸 Spain
# Camino Llano de Tauce: La Palma's Hidden Mountain Gem Looking for something truly off the beaten path? The Camino Llano de Tauce on La Palma in Spain's Canary Islands is exactly what you need. This unpaved track is a 12.2 km adventure that'll take your 4x4 to its limits—and honestly, it's worth every bump. Stretching north-south from LP-109 to LP-4 Road, this route climbs to a heart-stopping 2,280 meters above sea level. That might sound intense (because it is), but the views? Absolutely worth it. The landscape here is otherworldly—think volcanic slopes so barren and dramatic they look like the moon's surface. You'll rarely see other vehicles, which somehow makes the whole experience feel even more isolated and incredible. Fair warning: this isn't a leisurely cruise. With 27 hairpin turns and an average gradient of 11.23%, you'll gain 1,371 meters over those 12.2 km. Some sections are genuinely steep, so respect the road and take your time. The trade winds sweep through most of the year, adding another element to contend with. The upside? You'll reach Refugio Gallegos, a mountain hut that serves as a perfect waypoint and reward for making it this far. Come prepared, bring a capable vehicle, and get ready for one of La Palma's most spectacular—and least crowded—mountain experiences.