
The narrow paved road to the international Col des Veaux
France, europe
N/A
540 m
extreme
Year-round
# Col des Veaux
Nestled right on the French-Spanish border in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Col des Veaux sits at a modest 540 meters (1,771 feet) above sea level—but don't let that fool you. This mountain pass packs a punch with its characteristically narrow and steep paved road that'll definitely keep you on your toes.
Fair warning: winter can be brutal up here. Snow closures aren't uncommon, so you'll want to check conditions before you head up. But if you catch it on a good day, you're looking at a genuinely rewarding alpine crossing that rewards confident drivers with some fantastic Pyrenean scenery. It's the kind of pass that reminds you why mountain driving is so addictive—technical enough to be interesting, but totally doable if you respect the road.
Where is it?
The narrow paved road to the international Col des Veaux is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.1181, 1.9447
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 540 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 46.1181, 1.9447
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