
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
hardClimbing the steep road to Alto de Xorret de Cati in Valencia Region
🇪🇸 Spain
# Alto de Xorret de Catí Ready for a proper mountain adventure? Head to the Alto de Xorret de Catí, a seriously impressive mountain pass sitting at 1,097 meters (3,599 feet) in Alicante, Spain's Valencia region. You'll find it tucked away in the L'Alcoià area, nestled within the stunning Sierras del Maigmó y del Fraile mountain range. The 20.3-kilometer (12.61-mile) route runs between Castalla and Petrer and is fully paved—though fair warning, it can get a bit bumpy in spots. The road, known as CV-817, is generally peaceful and quiet, which is lovely unless you're timing it for a weekend, when you might spot a few other drivers enjoying the same stretch. Now here's where it gets interesting: this isn't your casual scenic drive. The pass is narrow and genuinely steep, with sections hitting 20-22% inclines that'll really test your nerves and your brakes. It's challenging enough that it's earned a place in Spain's famous Vuelta a España cycling race—pretty cool credentials for a regional road. The summit is accessible year-round, and there's a bit of quirky local history here. There used to be a monument honoring cyclists at the top—a 300-kilogram sculpture measuring 175x55x178cm. Surprisingly, it vanished in May 2023, stolen despite its massive size and weight. A mysterious loss, indeed!
hardCime Bianche
🇮🇹 Italy
# Cime Bianche: Italy's Alpine Adventure Ready to push your driving skills to the limit? Cime Bianche is a seriously impressive mountain pass sitting at a breathtaking 2,899m (9,511ft) in Italy's Aosta Valley, right in the heart of the Alps. This isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road itself is a rugged, gravel-covered beast—rocky, bumpy, and decidedly tippy in places. If you're an experienced off-road driver who thrives on technical terrain, you'll love the challenge. But if unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, this isn't the one for you. Here's the catch: you've got a super tight window to experience it. The pass is only really driveable at the very end of August when the snow finally clears out. During that brief window, you'll tackle some seriously steep sections—we're talking grades up to 20%—making it one of Italy's most extreme high-altitude routes. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 to even attempt this one. The scenery is stunning, but it comes with real exposure. If heights make your palms sweat, steer clear. Factor in muddy conditions from the chairlift access trail when it's wet, and you've got yourself a legitimate alpine challenge that demands respect and serious driving chops.
extremeThe Golden Circle with a Twist
🇮🇸 Iceland
Alright, picture this: Iceland's Kjolur Highland Route! It's this gnarly, ancient track snaking between two massive glaciers, Hofsjokull and Langjokull. We're talking off-the-beaten-path stuff, people! Forget the tour buses, this is you and Iceland, raw and real. The landscape? Think lunar. Vast lava fields stretch out forever, broken up by steaming hot springs – like Hveravellir, this crazy oasis with a geothermal pool right in the middle of nowhere. It's not a super long drive but don't let that fool you. This route is isolated, so you'll need a solid 4x4 and some serious adventure vibes. You'll feel like you're at the edge of the world, but the views are next-level. If you're craving solitude and a deep dive into Iceland's wild heart, Kjolur is calling your name.
moderateWhere is the road from Kotor to Mrčevac?
🌍 Montenegro
Located on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, the stunning road from Kotor to Mrčevac is one of the best coastal drives in the world. Where is the road from Kotor to Mrčevac? Tucked away in the southwestern part of the country, the road, known as Jadranska Magistrala, runs along the Bay of Kotor. How long is the coastal road from Kotor to Mrčevac? The road is totally paved. It’s 22.3 km (13.85 miles) long running from Kotor (a fortified town steeped in tradition and history, with remarkable scenic views built between the 12th and 14th centuries) to Mrčevac (a small coastal town). How long does it take to drive the coastal road from Kotor to Mrčevac? The road is very busy in summers. To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 40 and 50 minutes. Is the coastal road from Kotor to Mrčevac defiant? Driving this road along (really close) the shoreline of Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor) is not for the faint at heart. The road often narrows to a single lane, so be careful when passing other cars - you may need to tuck into a driveway or back up to let someone pass. The road is very narrow (one lane in many places) and drops right off the edge into the water in many places (with no guard rails). It runs and is quite nerve wracking. You will have to stop and back up to let cars pass and other times had to pull into driveways to let cars pass by. A scenic road across Piva Canyon in Montenegro Enjoy a drive among the clouds to Veliki Štuoc Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.