Driving the paved road to Somport Pass in the Pyrenees
Spain, europe
16.2 km
1,637 m
moderate
Year-round
# Puerto de Somport-Col du Somport
Perched at 1,637 meters (5,370 feet) in the heart of the Pyrenees, this international mountain pass sits right on the border between Spain and France. It's the gateway connecting Huesca province in northeastern Spain with the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region in the French southwest, bridging the Aragón river valley on one side and the Aspe river valley on the other.
The name itself is pretty cool—it comes from Latin "summus portus," literally meaning "the highest port." And for good reason: this is THE main pass through the central Pyrenees.
The 16.2-kilometer (10-mile) route, officially called N330a, is completely paved and runs north-south from Canfranc-Estación all the way to Les Forges d'Abel. Fair warning though—this isn't a gentle cruise. You're looking at some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting 10% in places. It's exactly the kind of challenging climb that's caught the attention of pro cyclists over the years; both the Tour de France and Vuelta a España have tested riders here.
The road stays open year-round, weather permitting, making it a solid choice for most of the year. But if you're worried about unpredictable conditions, there's an alternative: the Túnel de Somport opened in 2003 and runs about 8.6 kilometers, staying accessible 24/7 regardless of what Mother Nature throws at you.
Where is it?
Driving the paved road to Somport Pass in the Pyrenees is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 41.8200, -3.1358
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 16.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,637 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 41.8200, -3.1358
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