Road trip guide: Conquering Mur de Peguere in the Occitanie
France, europe
27 km
1,375 m
moderate
Year-round
Mur de Péguère is a mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,375m (4,511ft) in France's Occitanie region, specifically in the Ariège department down in the southwestern Pyrenees. This beast is also known as Col de Péguère, and it's definitely earned its fearsome reputation among cyclists.
The road here is D17—a fully paved route that's narrow in stretches and runs 27km (17 miles) from Serres-sur-Arget to Massat, heading north-south through the stunning Massif de l'Arize. The climb's gotten the attention of the Tour de France for good reason.
Here's where it gets spicy: while the average gradient is a deceptive 7.9%, don't let that fool you. If you're tackling it from Massat (the shorter route), you're looking at 9.8km (6.1 mi) with 726m (2,382 ft) of elevation gain at an average 7.4% grade. Sounds manageable until you hit the section after Col des Caougnous—that's where the road ramps up to brutal 18%+ pitches that'll have your legs screaming.
Coming from the Serres-sur-Arget side? You're in for the long haul: 18km (11 mi) climbing 872m (2,861 ft) at a gentler 4.8% average. The scenery alone makes the effort worth it, but those steeper kicks will test your mettle. You can also connect via the descent from Col de Portel if you're chaining climbs together.
Where is it?
Road trip guide: Conquering Mur de Peguere in the Occitanie is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.7853, 1.9671
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 27 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,375 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 45.7853, 1.9671
Related Roads in europe
hardSella di Sompdogna
🇮🇹 Italy
Sella di Sompdogna is a mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,392 meters (4,566 feet) above sea level in the Province of Udine, tucked away in Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. Here's what you're getting into: the road up is paved, but don't expect a leisurely cruise. It's steep and narrow with plenty of character—think hairpin bends, tunnels, and dramatic bridges that'll keep you on your toes. Starting from the charming town of Dogna, you've got an 18.3 km climb ahead of you. Over that distance, you'll gain 967 meters of elevation, averaging a solid 5.3% gradient. The scenery and engineering make this a thrilling ride for anyone who loves mountain driving. Just come prepared for the technical sections and enjoy the incredible views that make the effort worthwhile!
moderateWhere is Nufenen Pass?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Nufenen Pass, or Passo della Novena as the Italians call it, is a real showstopper! Perched way up in the Swiss Alps, right on the border between Valais and Ticino cantons, this road tops out at a whopping 2,485m (8,152ft). Opened back in 1969 for a dam project, it's now one of the highest paved roads in Switzerland. This beauty stretches for 37km (22 miles), connecting Ulrichen to Airolo. Expect a winding, paved road with some serious hairpin turns and a maximum gradient of 13% in places. This climb is no joke! Fabian Cancellara calls it the toughest in the country. Keep in mind, it's closed to heavy vehicles and usually shut down from October to June thanks to the snow. Is it worth the trip? Absolutely! Give yourself around 45 minutes to drive it straight through, but you'll want to stop! Weekends and holidays can get busy. The views of the Bernese Alps and Gries Glacier are breathtaking. Plus, there's a hotel and restaurant at the summit for a well-deserved break.
extremeThe real road to Coll de Rates is not for timid drivers
🇪🇸 Spain
# Coll de Rates: A Costa Blanca Gem Tucked away in the Marina Alta region of Alicante, Spain, Coll de Rates sits at a respectable 928m (3,044ft) and offers one heck of a ride. The fully paved concrete road to the summit is a cyclist's dream—and for good reason. Starting from the lookout point at CV-715 (which sits at 630m and is sometimes confusingly also called Coll de Rates), you've got 3.1 km ahead of you. That doesn't sound like much, but buckle up: this climb packs 299 meters of elevation gain into those miles, averaging a punchy 9.64% gradient. Some sections? They'll hit you with a brutal 21% grade that'll make your legs scream. Here's the thing though—the narrow, winding road demands respect. Take it steady and watch your speed on those tight turns. The good news? You'll practically have the road to yourself. What makes this climb truly special is the payoff. The views toward the Costa Blanca are absolutely unreal throughout the entire ascent, and once you reach the summit, you'll find a fire lookout tower, communication towers, and a viewing platform waiting for you. The spot's become a mecca for paragliders, so you might catch some dramatic wings-in-the-sky action while you're up there. Whether you're a pro cyclist testing your limits or just someone who loves a challenging ride with killer views, Coll de Rates delivers.
hardA wild paved road to Boi-Taull in the heart of the Pyrenees
🇪🇸 Spain
Boi-Taüll is a fantastic ski resort perched at 2,055 meters (6,742 feet) in the heart of Spain's Pyrenees, tucked away in Lleida province, Catalonia. The resort sits in the stunning Vall de Boí, surrounded by some seriously impressive natural and cultural landmarks. Getting there is half the fun! The L-501 road is fully paved and actually pretty manageable, despite its reputation. Sure, it gets steep in places—up to 10.7%—but nothing too crazy. You'll navigate 14 hairpin turns as you climb, and it's definitely doable even if you're not a rally driver. The drive itself starts from where the L-500 and L-501 roads meet. From there, it's a 14.2 km (8.82 mile) ascent that climbs about 780 meters, averaging around 5.5% gradient. Pretty straightforward stuff. The best part? The road sits within the gorgeous Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici Natural Park, so you're basically driving through postcard-worthy scenery the whole way up. The road stays open year-round, though winter weather can occasionally force temporary closures. If a storm rolls through, you might need to chain up those tires for the final stretches, but that's just part of the alpine adventure.