Where is Col d'Errozate?
France, europe
3.4 km
1,076 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between Spain and France, high up in the Pyrenees, at the Collado de Errozate-Col d'Errozate pass. We're talking a lofty 1,076m (3,530ft) above sea level.
The climb, kicking off from the French D301 road, is a short but intense 3.4km (2.11 miles) to the tippy-top at 1,281m (4,202ft). Now, here's the thing: there's NO road on the Spanish side, so this is a there-and-back kinda adventure.
Word to the wise: this drive isn't for the faint of heart. The road is super narrow, barely wider than a single lane, with some seriously gnarly drop-offs. Add in some broken asphalt and hairpin turns, and you've got yourself a recipe for needing your A-game. And hold on tight, because some sections hit a whopping 18.5% gradient! If reversing isn't your strong suit, maybe sit this one out. But the views? Absolutely killer!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 3.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,076 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateBocchetta di Campiglia
🇮🇹 Italy
# Bocchetta di Campiglia Nestled in Vicenza, Veneto, Italy, Bocchetta di Campiglia sits at a cool 1,216 meters (3,989 feet) above sea level. The drive up is straightforward—completely paved the whole way, which is always a plus when you're heading into the mountains. Once you've made the climb, you'll find a paid parking area at the summit. This is where things get interesting, because this pass is basically the launchpad for some seriously epic adventures. From here, you can tackle the legendary Strada delle 52 Gallerie with its incredible tunnel-lined route, venture onto the Strada degli Scarubbi, or use it as a jumping-off point for other legendary Alpine drives in the region. Whether you're a serious mountain road enthusiast or just looking for stunning scenery and that adrenaline rush of navigating Alpine terrain, this pass delivers. It's the kind of place where you pull into the parking lot and realize you've landed somewhere genuinely special.
hardTravel Guide to Pas de la Graille
🇫🇷 France
# Pas de la Graille: A Curvy Alpine Adventure Nestled in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region of southeastern France, Pas de la Graille sits pretty at 1,597m (5,239ft) above sea level. Also called Col de Frère Jean, this mountain pass connects to the Signal de Lure via a seriously twisty, challenging paved route that'll keep you on your toes. The road—marked as D53—is narrow and steep with hairpin turns galore. You'll wind through dense forests most of the way, though the steepness actually creates some gorgeous peekaboo viewpoints through the trees. Fair warning: as you descend, the road gets a bit rougher and uneven, but nothing too scary. This roughly 45km (28-mile) stretch runs north-south from Saint-Étienne-les-Orgues to Valbelle, with the real climb happening over the first 18km (11.2 miles) from the starting town. The gradient stays pretty consistent—think 6-8% for most of it—which makes maintaining a steady pace totally doable. Once you break free from the forest with about 5km to go, things ease up considerably, dropping to 4%, then almost flatting out at just 1% for that final kilometer. It's the kind of road that rewards you with stunning views and a real sense of accomplishment. Perfect for anyone looking to tackle some proper Alpine scenery.
extremeWhere is Col de la Couillole?
🇫🇷 France
Col de la Couillole, sitting pretty at 1,678m (5,495ft), is a must-drive in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. You'll find it snaking through the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, smack-dab in the Mercantour National Park. This beauty is part of the Route des Grandes Alpes, and the entire 23.4km (14.54 miles) stretch from Beuil to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée is paved – just follow the D30, which magically transforms into M30 after you conquer the col towards Saint Sauveur sur Tinée. Prepare for a steep and curvy adventure! Expect some narrow sections, hairpin turns, and charming tunnels. But trust me, the scenic views more than make up for it. Cyclists, take note: this climb is a real workout. Starting from St. Sauveur-sur-Tinée (504m), it’s a 15.7 km grind with a whopping 1,174 meters of elevation gain, averaging a 7.5% gradient. It's consistently steep, barely dipping below 6%, with stretches hitting 8% and peaking at 11%! Pro tip: make a detour to Roubion, a ridiculously picturesque village near the pass. It’s literally the end of the road, but totally worth the detour! Coming from Beuil, you won't see signs for it, so keep your eyes peeled.
moderateLos Portillinos is a classic road trip in Castile and Leon
🇪🇸 Spain
# Los Portillinos: A Hidden Mountain Gem Tucked away in the heart of Spain's León province, Los Portillinos (also called Alto de los Portillinos) sits at a breezy 1,957 meters (6,420 feet) in the northwestern corner of Castile and León. This is serious mountain pass territory. The 38-kilometer stretch of the LE-CV-192/21 road runs north-south between Salas de los Barrios and Corporales, winding through the stunning Montes de León range and the Valle del Silencio valley in the El Bierzo region. While it's fully paved, expect some rough patches and cracks that'll keep you on your toes—it's got character, you know? The best part? You'll barely see another car on the way up. The road generally stays open year-round, though don't be surprised by the occasional winter closure when the weather gets moody. If you're feeling adventurous, a minor gravel road branches off east toward Silla de la Yegua, a peak that tops out at 2,135 meters (7,004 feet). This is the kind of drive that rewards patient explorers with incredible mountain scenery and that satisfying feeling of discovering somewhere truly off the beaten path.