The Road to Collado del Ampriu in the Pyrenees Has It All

The Road to Collado del Ampriu in the Pyrenees Has It All

Spain, europe

Length

1 km

Elevation

1,571 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Collado del Ampriu is a seriously stunning mountain pass sitting pretty at 2,261m (7,417ft) in Huesca, Spain. Nestled in the Ribagorza region of Aragón and tucked deep within the Benasque Valley in the Pyrenees, this spot is an absolute gem for mountain enthusiasts.

The paved road up is no joke—we're talking slopes that regularly exceed 12%. It's been a favorite challenge for the Vuelta a España riders, though they typically only tackle it up to the end of the paved section at 1,912m (6,272ft), where there's a handy parking lot. From there, a small gravel road (off-limits to regular cars) continues another kilometer or so to the actual summit.

Starting from Cerler at 1,571m, you're looking at a 9.6 km climb that'll gain you 690 meters of elevation. The average gradient sits around 7.1%, so it's definitely challenging but doable. Once you reach the top, you'll find yourself at the gateway to a bunch of unpaved roads that branch off to nearby peaks—most of them maintained for ski lift operations.

It's the kind of place where you feel like you're really conquering something special. The Pyrenees backdrop, the thin mountain air, those sweeping switchbacks—this pass delivers the goods for anyone brave enough to tackle it.

Where is it?

The Road to Collado del Ampriu in the Pyrenees Has It All is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.3660, -3.4219

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Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
1 km
Max Elevation
1,571 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
40.3660, -3.4219

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