Where is Col de Jau?
France, europe
27.1 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for the Col de Jau! This high-altitude pass, sitting way up in the eastern Pyrenees, straddles the border of two French departments in the south of the country. Keep an eye out for the ruins of the old Sainte-Marie de Jau abbey nearby – a cool piece of history.
The road itself? Paved, thankfully! It's known as D14 on the northern side and D117 on the southern side. The full stretch is about 27 km (17 miles) from Mosset to Sainte Colombe sur Guette.
Now, about that climb. From Mosset, you're looking at a roughly 18km ascent with about 1000m of elevation gain – that's an average gradient of around 5.5%. Coming from Sainte Colombe sur Guette, it's a bit shorter at around 9 km, but you're still climbing about 600m, making for a steeper average of about 6.5%.
Be warned, it's not always a picnic – you'll find some pretty steep ramps along the way. But the views? Absolutely worth it! Get ready for some wild scenery in the heart of the Pyrenees.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 27.1 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Turracher Höhe?
🇦🇹 Austria
Okay, buckle up, because Turracher Höhe in Austria is a wild ride! Perched way up high at 1,802 meters (that’s 5,912 feet!), this mountain pass straddles the border between Carinthia and Styria, down in the southern part of the country. You'll find it nestled in the Nock Mountains, part of the Gurktal Alps. The whole route is paved, so no need for a 4x4, but be prepared for some serious inclines! This used to be known as one of the steepest Alpine roads in Europe, with sections hitting a crazy 34% gradient! Thankfully, it's been tamed a bit, but you'll still find a 23% climb on the Carinthian side that will get your engine revving. The Turracher Road (B95) stretches for 34.5 kilometers (21.43 miles) from Patergassen to Predlitz, and you'll probably want to budget around 35-45 minutes to enjoy the views without rushing. Speaking of which, keep your eyes peeled for incredible scenery! Good news: this pass is usually open year-round! However, keep an eye on the weather forecast, especially in winter, as conditions can sometimes lead to temporary closures. That said, they do a great job keeping the road clear, so closures are rare.
hardÇirmaniman Yaylası
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Çirmaniman Yaylası in Turkey's Black Sea region! This ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking serious elevation here – almost 10,000 feet! Located in Rize Province, getting to the summit is an adventure in itself. The gravel road is infamous for its crazy tight hairpin turns and bone-jarring bumps. We're talking 4x4 territory, folks. Seriously. And if heights make you queasy, maybe sit this one out. Plus, Mother Nature throws curveballs. Expect steep climbs, and after even a sprinkle of rain, things can get dicey with loose gravel. Winter brings heavy snowfall, so the road can close without warning. But the scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. Just be prepared!
moderatePalovit Falls
🇹🇷 Turkey
Palovit Selalesi is a waterfall located in Rize Province, in northeast Turkey, on the eastern Black Sea coast. The road is narrow and steep. The exhausting road is mostly paved (in bad conditions) and very narrow. It shouldn’t be attempted by those who don't know how to reverse. It’s pretty steep, and drivable in an ordinary car in dry weather in summer by confident, careful drivers. Located in Kaçkar Mountains National Park, this famous waterfall in a lush forest, falls from about 15 m high, in one of Turkey's most beautiful valleys, the Firtina (Storm) Valley. Pic: Валентина Копчева The Ultimate Guide to Traveling to Mount Davraz 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.
hardThe road to Valdecebollas is not for the faint of heart
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Hidden away in the Palencia province of Spain, inside the Fuentes Carrionas Natural Park, you'll find Valdecebollas peak. Getting to the top is a real off-road challenge – think super rocky, unpaved terrain that demands a high-clearance 4x4. The climb starts near Brañosera (Spain's oldest town!) and stretches for about 10.6 kilometers. Don’t let the distance fool you – you'll gain nearly a kilometer in elevation! Expect an average gradient of 9%, with some sections hitting almost 18%. Ouch! And if you're thinking of a winter trip, be prepared for snow and ice. At the summit, you're rewarded with insane panoramic views. There's also a cool stone tower marking the spot. On a clear day, you can spot Espigüete, Curavacas, the Aguilar de Campoo reservoir, and even the distant Picos de Europa mountains. Trust me, this one's for the bucket list!