Col de Portet: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
France, europe
8 km
2.215 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de Portet
Nestled high in the Pyrenees at 2,215 meters (7,267 feet), Col de Portet sits just west of Saint-Lary-Soulan in France's Hautes-Pyrénées, practically within spitting distance of the Spanish border. This isn't your average mountain pass—it's one of the Pyrenees' most formidable challenges.
The road itself is a spectacle carved directly into the mountainside. After getting fully paved in 2018, it's become an even more thrilling (if technically smoother) ride. But don't let that fool you—this 8-kilometer ascent packs serious punch. You'll navigate 14 hairpin turns through sections so narrow they'll make your palms sweat, with stretches hitting a brutal 16.3% gradient. The climb gains 655 meters of elevation at an average of 8.18%, and honestly? You can see almost the entire route from the bottom, which just makes it feel even more intimidating.
The vistas start kicking in almost immediately and never stop. The driving is genuinely challenging—this is legitimately one of the toughest climbs in the range, and it sits even higher than the famous Col du Tourmalet. It's earned its stripes in the Tour de France, and for good reason.
Summer is your window: the road opens from June through October, though winter completely shuts it down. Fair warning—during summer daylight hours (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), the road closes to most traffic except locals, so plan accordingly. When you finally reach the summit, that 360-degree panorama of the surrounding peaks is absolutely worth every hard-earned meter. Just be prepared—this climb might be enough to take it easy for the rest of your day.
Where is it?
Col de Portet: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.6573, 2.6939
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 8 km
- Max Elevation
- 2.215 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 45.6573, 2.6939
Related Roads in europe
easyWhere is Col du Petit Mont Cenis?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps in the Savoie region, headed towards the Col du Petit Mont Cenis – or Colle del Piccolo Moncenisio, if you're feeling Italian. Some say this might even be the spot where Hannibal famously marched his elephants across the Alps! You'll find a mountain hut called Refuge du Petit Mont Cenis close by. The road is paved the whole way, which is a major plus. It's generally in decent shape, so you won't be battling potholes the whole time. Traffic is usually pretty light, meaning you can soak in the views. You'll be winding your way up to around , at a latitude of 45°13'06.5"N and longitude of 6°52'07.1"E. Get ready for some serious scenery, because this drive is a feast for the eyes!
moderateA wild paved road through Gorges de la Jonte in Occitania
🇫🇷 France
# Gorges de la Jonte If you're looking for a seriously stunning drive through southern France, the Gorges de la Jonte should be on your bucket list. This breathtaking canyon, carved out by the Jonte River, stretches across the Occitania region, straddling the Lozère and Aveyron departments with the river itself marking the border between them. The whole drive is absolutely spectacular — we're talking dramatic cliffs and steep, forested slopes that tower up to 450 metres above you. It's the kind of scenery that'll have you reaching for your camera at every turn. The good news? The entire 21.5 km (13.35 miles) stretch is fully paved, running east-west from Meyrueis to Le Rozier along the D996 road. But here's the thing — this isn't a straightforward cruising kind of route. The road is seriously curvy and there's a genuine risk of rockslides, so you'll want to stay sharp. The speed limit is 90 km/h for a reason, and larger vehicles really aren't ideal for this one. If you're planning to visit between November and March, make sure you've got winter chains in your vehicle — it's mandatory and absolutely essential given the terrain. But honestly? Winter or summer, this canyon drive is an unforgettable experience that'll remind you why France's back roads are absolutely world-class.
moderateHow long is the R21 Highway?
🌍 Russia
Okay, road trip fans, listen up! If you're craving an epic adventure across Russia, the R21 Highway is calling your name. This beast stretches a whopping 1,340 km (832 miles) from the vibrant city of Saint Petersburg on the Baltic Sea all the way north to Murmansk, perched on the edge of the Barents Sea. Get ready to trade cityscapes for sprawling landscapes as you cruise through the heart of Karelia and the Murmansk Oblast. You'll even cross the Arctic Circle, so keep an eye out for the Northern Lights! The good news? The road is paved the whole way, so no need for a monster truck. Just be aware that you'll be sharing the road with plenty of heavy trucks, so stay alert. Word to the wise: this area can be pretty polluted, and conditions can be rough. But don't let that scare you off; just make sure you're well-prepared for a long haul. This is one seriously unforgettable drive.
extremeIs the road to Artzamendi paved?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're in the French Pyrénées, practically spitting distance from Spain. You're heading for Mont Artzamendi – or Sommet de l'Artzamendi, if you're feeling fancy – a peak that tops out at just over 3,000 feet. The road up is paved, thankfully, but hold on tight! It's a twisty, turny climb, barely wide enough for one car in places, and seriously steep – we're talking gradients of up to 17%! If your reversing skills are a little rusty, maybe skip this one. Definitely check your brakes before you head down; you'll need 'em! The climb is short but intense: just 2.5 miles to the top, gaining over 1300 feet in elevation. That's an average gradient of 10%, so get ready for a workout for your car (and maybe you!). Try to avoid peak times; you really don't want to meet a bus coming the other way. So, is it worth the white knuckles? Absolutely! The summit's crowned with a radar dome and some communication towers, but who cares about that when you've got views for days? You can see the whole Basque Country spread out before you, all the way to the Atlantic. Trust me, the panorama is breathtaking!