The Road to Coll de Jou is a Chillout in the Pyrenees
Spain, europe
14.7 km
1,637 m
moderate
Year-round
Coll de Jou is a high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,637m (5,370ft) in the province of Girona, nestled in the heart of Catalonia's Pyrenees in northern Spain.
At the summit, you'll find free parking and Refugi De Sant Jordi, a mountain shelter that's seen better days—it's unmaintained with two separate rooms, one featuring a fireplace that's more decorative than functional (it leaks!).
The 14.7 km (9.13 miles) route runs west-east from Bruguera to Ogassa through the Serra Cavallera range, and it's a proper adventure. The road is fully paved with some concrete sections, but don't expect smooth sailing—this climb is steep and chunky, with a punishing 16.0% maximum gradient in places. The gradient keeps you guessing too, mixing steep ramps with gentler stretches throughout. Fair warning: it's narrow and twisty, so caravans need not apply.
But here's the payoff: you're climbing through some seriously gorgeous mountain scenery in one of Europe's most stunning ranges. Just take your time, enjoy the views, and maybe skip the mountain refuge unless you're desperate for a chat with the fireplace.
Where is it?
The Road to Coll de Jou is a Chillout in the Pyrenees is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.3315, -2.4332
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,637 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 40.3315, -2.4332
Related Roads in europe
hardCinque Croci Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo Cinque Croci Ready for a serious mountain adventure? Passo Cinque Croci sits pretty at 2,018 meters (6,620 feet) in the Eastern Alps of Trentino, northern Italy, and it's absolutely not your typical Sunday drive. This is legit gravel territory—we're talking narrow enough that two cars literally can't pass each other, with brutal grades hitting 16% in places. Yeah, you read that right. The road pretty much hibernates during winter thanks to heavy snow, and heads up: it's actually been closed to motor vehicles recently, so check before you head out. The route connects Canal San Bovo in the upper Val Cortalla (passing through Caoria village) with Strigno down in the southern Val Sugana. If you're game to tackle it, you'll find Rifugio Consèria near the summit—perfect for a pit stop and some serious mountain views. Here's the real talk: this is a maintained gravel road, so a decent high-clearance 2WD vehicle can handle it in good conditions, as long as you take your time and stay patient through the washboard sections. Dry conditions are basically mandatory. This isn't the place to push your luck or your car—but if you're up for some genuine Alpine exploration with serious elevation and serious scenery, Passo Cinque Croci absolutely delivers.
moderateDriving the iconic paved road to Bernina Pass in the Alps
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Passo del Bernina: A Classic Alpine Adventure Want to experience one of Switzerland's most iconic mountain passes? Head to Passo del Bernina in Graubünden, near the Italian border, where you'll find yourself 2,332m (7,650ft) above sea level surrounded by some of the Alps' most stunning scenery. This legendary route stretches 53.3 km (33.11 miles) from the charming resort town of St. Moritz down through the Engadin valley all the way to Tirano in Italy. What makes it special? The fully paved Hauptstrasse 29 has been connecting these two regions since 1865, following in the tire tracks of medieval traders who once hauled goods across these mountain passes on horseback. The drive itself is no joke – expect some seriously steep sections hitting up to 10.4% gradient – but it's totally manageable in regular conditions. Most people take between 1 to 1.5 hours to drive through without stopping, though you'll want to pump the brakes and soak in the Alpine vistas. One unmissable sight is Lago Bianco (the "White Lake"), which hugs your right side for much of the drive heading south toward Val Poschiavo. Here's the cool part: you'll share the road with the Bernina Express, one of Europe's most spectacular railways. In some spots south of Poschiavo, the train literally runs alongside (and sometimes on!) the road itself – yes, cars have to yield to trains here. The pass stays open year-round since 1965, though expect snow for about eight months annually. Winter weather can trigger temporary closures, so check conditions beforehand. At the summit, grab lunch or coffee at one of the restaurants or even stay overnight at the mountain hotel.
moderateDriving the classic Puerto de Pajares, a must do in Spain
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto de Pajares: Spain's High-Mountain Challenge Nestled in the Cantabrian Mountains at 1,381 meters (4,530 feet), Puerto de Pajares sits right on the border between León and Asturias in northern Spain. This 32-kilometer (19.8-mile) stretch of the N630 road was once *the* way to get in and out of Asturias—before the AP-66 highway came along, anyway. These days, it's still plenty busy, with a steady stream of trucks rumbling through alongside regular traffic. The good news? The entire route is fully paved, and you can typically access it year-round. The not-so-good news? Winter doesn't play around here. Expect serious snowfall, occasional road closures when conditions get gnarly, and those famous steep gradients that hit up to 17%—making this officially Spain's steepest national road. Add summer fog rolling in at night, and you've got yourself a road that demands respect. Running north-south from Campumanes in Asturias to Villamanín in Castile and León, the pass is dotted with a restaurant and parking area at the summit, plus the Valgrande-Pajares ski resort nearby. It's become so iconic that the Spanish Vuelta cycling race has featured it multiple times, which tells you something about its challenging reputation. Come prepared, take your time, and you'll experience one of Spain's most dramatic mountain drives.
extremeSan Jorio Pass
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Passo San Jorio: A Alpine Adventure Between Two Countries Ready for a proper mountain adventure? Passo San Jorio sits pretty at 2,012 meters (6,601 feet) right on the Switzerland-Italy border, connecting the charming Italian village of Garzeno (Como province) with Carena over in Swiss Ticino. What makes this pass special? For starters, there's a gorgeous medieval church perched near the summit, plus three cozy refuge huts where you can grab a break. But here's the thing – this isn't your typical smooth highway. The entire route is seriously narrow with hairpin bends that'll keep your hands gripped to the steering wheel. We're talking white-knuckle tight. Fair warning: the road here is completely unpaved, and it only gets rougher the higher you climb. The Italian side is actually drivable up to a point, but the final stretch is off-limits to motor vehicles. If you're coming from Switzerland, you're looking at a hiking trail that cyclists can navigate. A 4x4 vehicle is definitely your best bet for tackling this beast. Winter? Forget about it. The pass becomes totally impassable once the snow hits. Nestled between the Lepontine Alps and the Lugano Prealps, this route has serious history – it was strategically crucial back in the day. Today, it's a bucket-list destination for those brave enough to take it on.