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
hardMutegg
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're in Italy's South Tyrol region, ready for an adventure. You're headed up Mutegg, a seriously high peak at 2,624 meters (that's 8,608 feet!). This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a rocky, gravel road that's usually a chairlift trail. Think steep, like up to 30% in some spots! You've got a tiny window to tackle this one—late summer (think end of August) is your best bet. Word to the wise: the wind is no joke up here. It's strong and pretty constant, so be prepared! At the very top, you'll find a communication tower. While the road itself might be a beast, the views are supposed to be amazing. Get ready for a climb you won't forget!
hardWhat’s the highest paved road of the Pyrenees?
🌍 Andorra
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Port d'Envalira! This beauty sits way up high in Andorra's Encamp parish, topping out at a cool 2,408 meters (that's 7,900 feet!). Think you've seen high roads? This might just be the highest *paved* one in the Pyrenees! The route, known as CG-2, stretches for 32.1 km (almost 20 miles) from Les Escaldes to El Pas de la Casa, practically kissing the French border. Heads up: in 2002, a tunnel (2,879 meters long) was built to bypass the trickiest section. This tunnel is said to be the highest in the Pyrenees! You can usually cruise this pass year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter – things can get dicey and lead to closures. Speaking of dicey, this climb is no joke. It's been part of the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, so expect some steep sections, with gradients hitting 11.1% in places! Oh, and did I mention the 15 hairpin turns? Budget around 45-60 minutes to drive the whole thing without stops. But trust me, you'll *want* to stop. The views are incredible! So plan some extra time to soak it all in. If you're looking for high adventure in Andorra, this is your road!
moderateA scenic mountain road to Ofen Pass in Switzerland
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Ofen Pass: A Hidden Alpine Gem in Switzerland's Far East Tucked away in the remote eastern corner of Switzerland, Ofen Pass sits at a breathtaking 2,156 meters (7,073 feet) above sea level. This mountain pass—also known as Ofenpass, Fuorn Pass, Passo del Forno, or Passo del Fuorn—connects the Engiadina Bassa region with Val Müstair in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The pass's name tells a fascinating story: it comes from the old iron foundry ovens that once dotted this region. If you're curious about local history, you can actually spot remnants of these structures from hiking trails nearby—a cool piece of industrial heritage! The 31.3-kilometer (19.44-mile) Route 28 stretches west to east from Zernez to Val Müstair, and the good news is it's completely paved. The road has been connecting these valleys since 1864, when the first route was carved through. Traffic here is surprisingly moderate—you'd think more trucks would use it as a through route, but most heavy vehicles opt for the Reschen Pass instead. Fair warning: this pass is seriously steep. Prepare yourself for gradients hitting 14.3% on some sections—definitely not a drive you can zone out on. The road stays open year-round in theory, but winter closures happen whenever conditions require it, so always check ahead. One more heads-up: local police love lurking behind houses with radar guns, and Swiss speeding tickets will absolutely hurt your wallet. Stick to the speed limits!
moderateA mule path to Francesco Petrarca Refuge
🇮🇹 Italy
# Rifugio Francesco Petrarca: A High-Alpine Adventure Nestled in the stunning Texelgruppe Nature Park at a breathtaking 2,875 meters (9,432 feet), the Rifugio Francesco Petrarca (also known as Stettiner Hütte) sits among South Tyrol's most dramatic peaks. This legendary refuge perches in Italy's Autonomous Province of Bolzano, just a stone's throw from the Austrian border in the picturesque Passeier Valley. Here's where it gets interesting: forget your car for this one. The 14.7-kilometer (9.13-mile) route from Talplatt is strictly bikes-only—no motorized vehicles allowed on this completely unpaved mountain path. You're looking at serious elevation gain too: 1,502 meters of climbing with an eye-watering average gradient of 10.21%. Yeah, it's steep. This is legitimately one of Italy's highest bike routes, and it demands respect. The views? Absolutely spectacular. But come winter, the road transforms into an impassable obstacle—this is a summer-only adventure through some of the Alps' most pristine terrain. If you're after an authentic, challenging high-mountain experience that'll test both your legs and your mettle, this is it.