Where is Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin?

Where is Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin?

France, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin, perched way up high on the French-Spanish border at a lung-busting altitude. You’ll straddle two worlds as you cruise between southwestern France and northern Spain. And get this – it's one of only five roads in Spain with a totally wild "pigtail" section, where the road loops around and passes UNDER itself!

The whole road is paved, so no worries there. On the French side, they call it D132, but once you cross that invisible line into Spain, it magically transforms into NA-137. Be warned: this route isn't for the faint of heart. Think narrow stretches, hairpin after hairpin, and more twists than a pretzel factory. That pigtail turn is the star of the show, a total mind-bender that’s up there with the most famous curves on the planet!

Clocking in at around 26 miles from Arette (France) to Isaba (Spain), this isn’t a quick jaunt. But trust me, the dramatic change in scenery alone is worth the trip, making every climb a unique adventure.

Expect some serious legwork for your engine, as this pass isn’t playing around. Some sections hit gradients that’ll have you shifting down, making it a real test of skill. It may not be as notorious as some other climbs, but it’ll definitely keep you on your toes and reward you with some truly killer views.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

What was the tunnel supposed to bypass?moderate

What was the tunnel supposed to bypass?

🌍 Andorra

Okay, picture this: You're in the Pyrenees, ready for an adventure. The Port de Rat Tunnel? More like the *un*finished Port de Rat Tunnel. This was supposed to be a game-changer, blasting through the mountains to dodge that crazy high mountain pass, the international at a staggering elevation above sea level. The plan was to link Andorra (sitting pretty high up there) directly to France. But plot twist! Funding fell through on the French side. So, only the Andorran side got drilled, leaving us with a half-finished tunnel. Fast forward to today, and this grand scheme is now basically a roadside oddity, a quirky tourist attraction near a ski resort. Imagine what could have been – a super-easy route for all those French tourists heading to Andorra! They envisioned revolutionizing the local economy. Alas, only the Andorran side was ever started. It's a pretty crazy story!

Sa Crabarissahard

Sa Crabarissa

🇮🇹 Italy

# Sa Crabarissa: The Woman in the Rocks Tucked away in Sardinia's Provincia di Nuoro lies Sa Crabarissa, a stunning natural landmark that actually looks like a woman carved into the landscape. If you're up for an adventure, this is definitely worth the trip. The route to reach her is about 7.6km of pure rugged beauty. You'll be cruising on gravel roads—definitely bring a proper 4WD vehicle for this one. Fair warning: the road is narrow and twisty, so if you're not comfortable with reversing, this might not be the drive for you. But if you've got the skills and the nerve, you're in for a treat. As you climb through the Mandrolisai mountains toward the 713m summit, prepare yourself for some seriously jaw-dropping scenery. The elevation gain is real, and the terrain is steep, but that's what makes it so spectacular. This is photographer's paradise—bring a camera with plenty of memory space, fully charged batteries, and be ready to snap some incredible shots. The vistas alone are worth every twist and turn of the journey. The best part? Once you reach the top, there's actually a large parking area where you can safely park and take your time soaking in the view. It's the perfect reward after conquering the mountain road.

Cerrada de la Magdalenamoderate

Cerrada de la Magdalena

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the sun-drenched Sierra de Cazorla, just north of Granada, Spain. The road? Cerrada de la Magdalena. It's not paved – think gravel, and pretty darn narrow at that. This isn't a Sunday drive; it's an adventure! The drop-offs are real, so keep your eyes on the road, especially around those blind corners. You don’t want to meet another car head-on! Nestled inside the Sierra de Castril Natural Park, it's usually manageable when dry, but after rain? Mud city! It can get seriously slippery, even impassable, so check the weather before you go. The whole stretch is only about 11.3 km, but those kilometers are packed with thrills and unbelievable views. Trust me, you'll want to stop and snap a ton of photos. And keep an eye out for wildlife! You might spot tracks from wild boar, foxes, beech martens, or even wildcats. It’s an incredible, unforgettable experience. Get ready for a road trip you won't soon forget!

Where is Unterrothorn?extreme

Where is Unterrothorn?

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! High in the Swiss Alps, in the canton of Valais, lies a beast of a road leading to the Unterrothorn summit. We're talking seriously high altitude here. You'll be rewarded with breathtaking vistas of Zermatt, a paradise for skiing, climbing, and hiking enthusiasts. Now, for the road itself: picture this: a mostly paved but very challenging climb, thanks to some unbelievably steep sections. It’s around long with parts of the drive being part of a chairlift access trail. Plus, forget about driving your own car, as it's closed to private vehicles. And, as you might expect, it's completely impassable during winter. Trust me, this road is a wild ride, one of the highest in Switzerland, offering views that'll make your jaw drop.