How long is Col du Pas de Lauzun?
France, europe
13.7 km
504 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Drôme region of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, heading for the Col du Pas de Lauzun. This mountain pass tops out at 504m (1,653ft) and trust me, the views are worth the drive! It's a fully paved route, known as the D70, stretching for about 13.7 km (8.51 miles) from the charming towns of Aouste-sur-Sye to Saou.
But hold on, it's not all smooth sailing. This road is a proper workout for your steering wheel with hairpin after hairpin! Some sections get seriously steep, hitting gradients of up to 14.3%. Plus, keep an eye out for potential rock slides – nature's little reminders you're in the mountains. And the real kicker? There’s this one seriously narrow bit where two cars can barely squeeze past each other. It’s all part of the adventure on one of France's famous balcony roads!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 504 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardCasetón de Ándara Refuge
🇪🇸 Spain
# Refugio Casetón de Ándarca: Not Your Average Mountain Drive Looking for a real adventure? The route up to Refugio Casetón de Ándarca isn't for the faint of heart. This high-altitude refuge sits at 1,720m (5,643ft) in the stunning Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain, nestled within the famous Picos de Europa National Park. Fair warning: if you're a novice driver, this isn't your road. The trek follows an old mine road that's entirely unpaved—think rugged, unpolished, and seriously challenging. This is a legit mountain drive complete with jaw-dropping views and, yeah, some genuinely sketchy dropoffs. You'll need nerves of steel and solid driving skills to handle the steep grades, with some sections hitting a brutal 15% incline. Starting from the CA-1 road, you're looking at a 3.4km ascent that climbs 407 meters with an average gradient of nearly 12%. It's relentless but absolutely worth it for the scenery. Timing is everything here—stick to late spring through early fall when the weather cooperates. During winter and shoulder seasons, snow can make this route downright treacherous. And yes, a 4x4 vehicle is non-negotiable; anything less and you're asking for trouble. This is the real deal for adventurous drivers who crave a challenge and aren't afraid of some serious mountain roads.
hardWhere is Collado de Sahún?
🇪🇸 Spain
Alright thrill-seekers, buckle up for Collado de Sahún, a beast of a mountain pass nestled in the Huesca province of Spain! You'll find this gem tucked away in the northern reaches of Aragon. This isn't your average Sunday drive. The road, a 24.1 km (14.97mi) stretch running from Chía to Plan, is mostly unpaved, mixing gravel with concrete sections. While passable in a car, be prepared for some seriously loose gravel. Think tight twists, hairpin turns galore (we're talking 20!), and some seriously steep sections – we're talking gradients hitting a whopping 25%! Seriously, an SUV or high-clearance vehicle is your best bet. Comparisons can be drawn to some epic climbs in France. The Sahún side can be compared with the well-known ascent to in France, while the Ribagorzana side is quite similar to another mythical French pass. The official summit sits at 1,998m (6,555ft), overlooking the incredible Barranco Llisat, though the actual highest point of the road sneaks a little higher to 2,028m (6,653ft). Keep an eye out for rock slides along the way, but don’t miss the viewpoints – they're insane! Located between the Gistain and Benasque valleys, within the Chia mountain range, this road is often closed in winter. The north-facing sections on the west side make snow clearing a major challenge. Fog and rain? Expect them. At the top you'll find Refugio Puerto Sahún a mountain cabin.
hardColl de Baretja
🇪🇸 Spain
# Coll de Baretja: A Wild Alpine Adventure Sitting pretty at 1,753 meters (5,751 feet) on the Spanish-French border, Coll de Baretja is not your average mountain pass. Nestled in the stunning Aran Valley, this is pure, unapologetic alpine terrain that'll get your adrenaline pumping. Fair warning: the road up here is gravel and rock all the way, with plenty of bumpy, tippy sections that'll test your driving skills. You're looking at a seriously steep climb, so this definitely isn't the place to conquer your fear of heights. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 vehicle—there's no way around it. The window to drive this route is tight. October through June? Forget about it. Mother Nature pretty much shuts this place down, though occasionally a break in the weather might open a brief window. Even during the "open" season, thunderstorms can roll in without warning and transform the unpacked dirt into an impassable bog in minutes. This is hardcore stuff. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, save yourself the stress and pick a different route. But if you're an experienced off-roader with solid mountain driving credentials and nerves of steel? Coll de Baretja will reward you with an unforgettable ride through some of the Alps' most dramatic landscape.
hardHow long is the road to Peña Cabarga?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, cycling fans, buckle up because Peña Cabarga in Cantabria is a MUST for your Spain bucket list! This peak hits 560m (1,837ft) and the road up? Legendary! We're talking a 5.9km (3.66 miles) ride straight outta Heras on the CA-412. Don't let the short distance fool you: you'll climb 543 vertical meters. It's paved, but hold on tight. This climb averages almost 10%... and the last 2km spike to 11.5%, with sections hitting a crazy 19%! Ouch! Even pros like Chris Froome (it's one of his favorites!) and Joaquim Rodríguez have conquered it during the Vuelta a España. Once you've made it to the top in the Sierra de la Gándara, park the car and soak it all in. Sure, there are some communications towers, but the real prize is the Monumento al Indiano y a la Marina de Castilla. This tower stands tall at 569 meters, giving you insane panoramic views of Santander and the Bay of Cantabria. Trust me, the pain will be worth the view!