
Col de la Lit
France, europe
14 km
1.6 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Col de la Lit is calling your name. Nestled high in the French Pyrenees, in the Hautes-Pyrénées, this pass tops out at a cool 1,664 meters (that's 5,459 feet for my American friends).
The route starts smooth enough in the charming little mountain town of Nistos. You'll cruise on asphalt for a good 14km until you reach the Nistos Ski Station at around 1,600 meters. But hold on tight, because that's where the fun *really* begins!
The pavement ends, and you'll be trading it in for a gravel track that's both steep and narrow. It's a proper climb, but trust me, the views are totally worth the effort. Just keep your eyes peeled on those tight turns and enjoy the wild beauty of the Pyrenees!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14 km
- Max Elevation
- 1.6 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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