Col du Pourtalet: A Scenic Mountain Pass at the France-Spain Border

# Col du Pourtalet

Ready to tackle one of the Pyrenees' most scenic mountain passes? Col du Pourtalet sits pretty at 1,798 meters (5,898 feet) right on the France-Spain border, and it's absolutely worth the drive. You'll get stunning views of the Ossau Valley that'll make you forget all about the elevation gain.

This 54.4-km route connects the French town of Laruns with Biescas in Spain, passing through the edge of Parc National des Pyrénées. You can even spot the old border post that marks this international crossing—a cool reminder of days gone by.

The road splits into two very different personalities depending on which side you're coming from. From Spain's side (the A-136 road), it's a smooth, wide, well-maintained climb from Biescas—29 km with a mellow 3.1% average grade. This stretch was literally built to handle ski coach traffic in winter, so expect decent road quality and steady traffic, especially on weekends and during summer holidays.

The French approach (D934 from Laruns) tells a different story. This 29-km side has more character, with three steeper "ramps" hitting around 7% gradients separated by easier stretches that hover around 5%. You'll wind through dramatic gorges, pastoral high-mountain meadows, and charming Pyrenean villages. It's not as heavily trafficked, which means you can actually soak in the scenery—just watch for one brief steep kick near a dam.

At the summit? Absolutely worth it. You're greeted with unobstructed views of Pic du Midi d'Ossau and the Cirque d'Anéou, where sheep and cattle graze peacefully. Grab some food or a drink at the cafés and restaurants up top before heading back down.

The pass is famous for appearing in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, where riders battle gradients reaching 8.8% on the steepest sections. Winter closures can happen during heavy snowfall, but otherwise it stays open year-round.