Take An Unforgettable Drive to Etang de Soulcem in the Pyrenees
France, europe
17.8 km
1,649 m
hard
Year-round
# Étang de Soulcem
Ready for a seriously scenic mountain drive? Head to the Étang de Soulcem, a stunning high-altitude reservoir sitting pretty at 1,649 meters (5,410 feet) in the Ariège department of southern France, right near the Andorran-Spanish border in the Occitanie region.
Starting from Val-de-Sos, this 17.8 km (11.06 miles) paved route climbs steadily upward with some seriously steep sections—we're talking 15% gradients on the hairpins. Over the entire drive, you'll gain 987 meters of elevation with an average gradient of 5.54%. Yeah, it's a workout, but trust us, the payoff is absolutely worth it.
Built between 1980 and 1983, the road delivers absolutely tremendous views that just keep getting better the higher you climb. The narrow road winds through some genuinely challenging hairpin turns near the end—definitely keep your wits about you here, especially if you're meeting traffic coming the other way. Keep an eye out too, as the area can be prone to rockslides.
Once you reach the end, you'll find the Parking du Chemin des Orris, where a gravel road continues onward toward the fascinating (and unfinished) Port de Rat tunnel. The reservoir itself is accessible from the nearby commune of Auzat and is home to some beautiful native fish species.
Fair warning: this mountain beauty is usually completely impassable during winter months, so plan your visit for the warmer seasons when you can fully appreciate those incredible Pyrenean views.
Where is it?
Take An Unforgettable Drive to Etang de Soulcem in the Pyrenees is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 47.1330, 2.0849
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 17.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,649 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 47.1330, 2.0849
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