
Travel guide to the top of Coll de Sansa in the Pyrenees
France, europe
4.3 km
1,770 m
moderate
Year-round
Coll de Sansa is a stunning mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,770m (5,807ft) in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of France, nestled in the Occitania region down south.
This 4.3km (2.6 miles) gravel adventure kicks off from Vilanova and takes you up into the heart of the Pyrenees—that dramatic mountain range that forms the natural border between France and Spain. Fair warning: the road is completely unpaved, so you're in for a proper backcountry experience. The gravel surface is generally decent, though erosion and loose stones have roughed things up in patches here and there, so take it slow and steady.
If you're after that authentic high-altitude Pyrenean scenery and don't mind trading smooth asphalt for a bit of grit and character, this pass delivers the goods.
Where is it?
Travel guide to the top of Coll de Sansa in the Pyrenees is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.6457, 2.5351
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 4.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,770 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 45.6457, 2.5351
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