How to Get by Car to Lac d'Aumar, One of the Highest Paved Roads in the Pyrenees
France, europe
15.7 km
2,192 m
hard
Year-round
# Lac d'Aumar: A High-Altitude Alpine Adventure
Tucked away in the Hautes-Pyrénées of southwestern France, near the Spanish border, Lac d'Aumar sits pretty at 2,192 m (7,191 ft) above sea level. This pristine mountain lake—sometimes called Lac d'Aumer—lies just east of its neighbor, Lac d'Aubert, in the Occitania region.
The Route des Lacs, combining the D177 and D929 roads, is your fully paved ticket to this alpine gem. But don't let the pavement fool you—this drive is seriously exhilarating. We're talking steep climbs, relentless curves, and hairpin turns that'll keep you gripping the wheel. The finale? Pure magic. As the cliff-hugging road wraps around the dam, you'll tackle some genuinely thrilling switchbacks that make the whole journey worthwhile.
Starting from Aragnouet, you're looking at a 15.7 km (9.75-mile) push uphill with a staggering 1,097 m elevation gain and an average gradient of 6.98%. Some sections hit a punchy 15% gradient, so this isn't a leisurely cruise.
This isn't just any mountain road—it's one of the highest paved routes in the entire French Pyrenees, sitting even higher than the legendary Col du Tourmalet. That altitude comes with a trade-off: the road is typically closed during winter, so plan your visit for warmer months if you want to experience this spectacular drive.
Where is it?
How to Get by Car to Lac d'Aumar, One of the Highest Paved Roads in the Pyrenees is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.6785, 1.9249
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 15.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,192 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.6785, 1.9249
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