Driving the wild road to Col de Caralps in the Pyrenees
Spain, europe
13.4 km
2,501 m
moderate
Year-round
# Col de Caralps
Want to tackle one of the Pyrenees' most wild and remote mountain passes? Col de Caralps sits pretty at 2,501m (8,205ft) on the French-Spanish border, making it one of the highest roads you can drive in this part of Europe.
This high-altitude adventure connects the Ripollès comarca in Girona, Catalonia (Spain) with the Pyrénées-Orientales in southern France. The whole thing is gloriously unpaved—13.4 km (8.32 miles) of raw mountain terrain that demands serious respect. You'll definitely need a 4x4 vehicle for this one; regular cars need not apply.
Starting from Spain's paved N260 road, you'll climb through stunning Pyrenean scenery as you make your way toward the summit near Cim de Coma Morera. This is the kind of road that makes for incredible adventure stories and some seriously memorable photos, but come prepared with the right vehicle and mindset.
Where is it?
Driving the wild road to Col de Caralps in the Pyrenees is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.8975, -3.3244
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,501 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 40.8975, -3.3244
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is the Edelweissspitze?
🇦🇹 Austria
Okay, picture this: you're in the heart of Austria, Salzburg to be exact, and you're heading up to the Edelweissspitze, a mountain peak that's seriously high up. At the very top, you'll find a mountain inn, built way back in 1935, and trust me, it's been *the* place to be ever since. The views? Unreal. You're talking about seeing thirty-seven peaks that are over 3,000 meters high! The road itself? Oh, it's an adventure. Paved all the way, but get ready for some serious curves and hairpin turns, especially that final stretch. It's not crazy difficult, but it's narrow, so keep that in mind if you're driving anything bigger than a regular vehicle (no caravans or heavy vehicles allowed!). This little detour is part of the larger Grossglockner High Alpine Road. The Edelweissspitze stretch is only a small part of the whole experience. The whole thing climbs quite a bit! Get ready for awesome scenery and a drive you won't forget!
moderateWhere is Somport Pass?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the border of France and Spain, high up in the Pyrenees Mountains. You're tackling the Puerto de Somport-Col du Somport, an international mountain pass that tops out at a cool 1,637 meters (5,370 feet). This beauty connects the province of Huesca in Spain with the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in France, nestled between the Aragón and Aspe river valleys. The name? It's all about location, location, location – "summus portus" in Latin, meaning the highest port. Get ready for a 16.2 km (10.06 miles) paved adventure from Canfranc-Estación in Spain to Les Forges d'Abel in France. This road, also known as Port of Aspe or Port of Canfranc (N330a), has even played host to the Tour de France and Vuelta a España – so expect some steep climbs, with ramps hitting a 10% grade in places. The pass is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather. If things get too wild, there's always the Túnel de Somport, an 8.6 kilometre (5.3 mi) long tunnel that bypasses the pass that's open all year.
hardCol Bagargui
🇫🇷 France
# Col Bagargui: A Pyrenean Climb Worth Your Time Nestled in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region of southwestern France, Col Bagargui (also called Col d'Iraty) sits at a respectable 1,327 meters and offers two fantastic approaches up the D19 highway. If you're starting from Esterençuby, buckle up for a 29.5 km ascent that'll gain you about 1,096 meters of elevation. It's a manageable 3.7% average grade, though fair warning—some sections kick up to a gnarly 15.5%, so don't let your guard down. Coming from the east side? That's a slightly shorter 21.2 km push with a steeper 4.8% average and similar elevation gains (1,017 meters), making it the punchier option of the two. The D19 is fully paved, which is always a relief, and the scenery throughout the Pyrenees is absolutely stunning. Plus, if you're into cycling history, this pass has earned its stripes hosting the Tour de France—so you're literally pedaling (or driving) in the footsteps of professional cyclists. Whether you're tackling this for the views, the challenge, or just the sheer joy of a good mountain drive, Col Bagargui delivers on all fronts.
hardIbón de Piedrafita
🇪🇸 Spain
# Ibón de Piedrafita: A True Alpine Adventure Tucked away in the Huesca province of Aragon, Spain, sits the stunning Ibón de Piedrafita alpine lake, perched at a cool 1,622 meters (5,321 feet) above sea level. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—it's a genuine mountain expedition that'll get your heart pumping and your jaw dropping. Starting from Piedrafita de Jaca, you're looking at a challenging 5.7 km trek uphill with 373 meters of elevation gain. Yeah, that's a punchy 6.54% average gradient, and trust us, you'll feel every bit of it. The road itself? Let's just say it's best described as gravel and rocky, with sections that are tippy and seriously bumpy. You'll absolutely need a proper 4x4 to tackle this beast. The scenery along the way is absolutely worth the bumpy ride, though—the views of Valle de Tena are genuinely spectacular. Just keep in mind that Mother Nature pretty much shuts this road down from October through June, so plan your visit accordingly (weather permitting, of course). **Fair warning:** This route is currently closed to private motor vehicles, so before you fire up that engine, make sure you've got the proper permits or consider hiring a local guide who knows these trails like the back of their hand.