Where is Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin?
France, europe
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hard
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.
Related Roads in europe
moderateDriving the defiant N-260 through Congosto de Janovas, the narrowest National Road in Spain
🇪🇸 Spain
# Congosto de Jánovas: Spain's Most Thrillingly Narrow Road If you're craving one of those truly unforgettable driving experiences, the Congosto de Jánovas in Aragon's Pyrenees is calling your name. This isn't your average scenic drive—it's a white-knuckle adventure through a stunning canyon carved by the Ara River, complete with a backstory that's almost as dramatic as the landscape itself. **The Road Less... Widened** Here's where it gets interesting: the N-260 through this gorge is intentionally narrow, and there's actually a fascinating reason why. Back in the 1960s and 70s, the Spanish government planned to dam the Ara River, which would have submerged the entire canyon and surrounding villages like Jánovas. Since everything was supposed to be underwater anyway, there was zero motivation to improve the road. Fast forward through decades of local resistance, environmental concerns, and red tape, and the dam never happened—but the road stayed exactly as it was. Locals call it the Ruta del Retrovisor (Rearview Route), and honestly, that name is *chef's kiss* perfect. **What You're Actually Dealing With** The 19.5-kilometer stretch from Fiscal to Boltaña is Spain's narrowest national road—and it shows. We're talking fully paved but utterly unforgiving, with a strict 40 km/h speed limit for good reason. Two large vehicles cannot pass each other simultaneously. Period. Reversing skills aren't optional here; they're essential. You'll navigate hundreds of hairpin turns, squeeze through tunnels, and tackle steep sections while keeping one eye out for occasional rockslides. Summer brings tourist hordes, so go early or visit off-season if you can. **Why It's Worth It** The payoff is massive. The road hugs the river valley through genuinely breathtaking Pyrenean scenery, and there's a brilliant viewpoint—Mirador de Jánovas—where you'll want to stop and catch your breath (literally and figuratively). This is where dramatic mountain gorges, a slice of Spanish history, and pure driving challenge collide.
hardCerro El Buitre
🇪🇸 Spain
# Cerro El Buitre Want to tackle one of Spain's highest mountain drives? Cerro El Buitre sits pretty at 2,466 meters (8,090 feet) in Almería's stunning Sierra Nevada National Park. Spoiler alert: this one's not for the faint of heart—or those with a fear of heights. Here's the real deal: you're looking at a gravel and rocky road that gets seriously gnarly. It's steep, bumpy, and tipsy in places, with a scenic detour through the narrow Congosto de Ventamillo that'll make your palms sweat. Winter? Forget about it—the road basically closes. Wet conditions turn this into a muddy nightmare that demands serious driving chops. This is absolutely a 4x4-only adventure. If unpaved mountain roads aren't your jam, keep scrolling. But if you're an experienced off-roader with nerves of steel and a vehicle that can handle it, you're in for an incredible ride through one of Andalusia's most dramatic landscapes.
extremeFacing the Climb of Gavia Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
Get ready for Passo di Gavia, an epic mountain pass straddling Sondrio and Brescia in Lombardy, Italy! This is one of Italy's highest roads, peaking at a whopping 2,627m (8,618ft). The SP29 winds for nearly 45 km (28 miles) from Ponte di Legno to Bormio. Trust me, this climb is a beast. Think serious gradients that regularly push past 7%, often spiking to 10%, and switchbacks galore. Small parking spots are carved out of the mountain so you can pull over. Located in northern Italy, Gavia is seriously gorgeous, dividing Sondrio and Brescia. The road is usually in great condition, and while you won't see tons of cars, watch out for the motorcycles! If you're heading up, pack layers, even in summer, as it can get chilly near the glacier-covered summit. The views? Stunning. The descent towards Santa Caterina Valfurva and Bormio is worth every drop of sweat from the climb. And yeah, you might even see snow in the summer months! The road closes on the south side during winter, but the north stays somewhat open thanks to the Bormio ski resort. At the top, check out the super scenic Lago Bianco with Corno dei Tre Signori towering above. Don't miss Lago Nero just below the pass on the south side, either! This road is no joke. Prepare for tight curves, hairpin turns, and some seriously steep sections. Oh, and in many spots, there are no guardrails between you and a long, long way down. Just before the summit, you'll cross a bridge over the Rezzalasco. Not far after, you will find the alpine lodge "Berni". Then you're near the summit, on the south side is *that* tunnel. About 3 km from the top, you will find this dark, steep, gravel-lined tunnel. Thankfully, it's paved now, with reflectors to guide you. The northern side? It's been showing its age, especially the higher sections. Watch out for the tunnel police – they love to catch motorcyclists speeding through the 30 km/h zone. For cyclists, the climb from Bormio is about 25.6 km with an average gradient of 5.5%. If you're coming from Ponte di Legno, it's a shorter 17.3 km, but with a steeper 7.9% average gradient (and maxing out at 16%!). On the south side, there's this stretch so narrow that cars can barely pass each other, making it…intense. Some of the hairpin bends on the south side are so tight that larger motorcycles might have to do a little maneuvering to get through. And remember, no guardrails in many places, so focus! At the summit, you'll find a simple restaurant with cheap lodging. If you're coming from the south, look to your right and you might catch a glimpse of an ancient Roman road about 50 meters from the modern route.
extremeHow to get by car to Pre de Madame Carle?
🇫🇷 France
# Pré de Madame Carle: Alpine Adventure Awaits Tucked away in the Hautes-Alpes department of southeastern France sits Pré de Madame Carle, a stunning alpine meadow perched at 1,879m (6,164ft) above sea level. This is where the Pays des Écrins meets serious mountain country—think dramatic peaks, pristine glaciers, and some seriously rewarding views. The real star here is the road itself. Built back in 1934, the D204T is a fully paved 21.4 km (13.29 miles) drive from L'Argentière-la-Bessée that'll test your driving skills. We're talking genuinely narrow sections, tight hairpin turns, and steep climbs that max out at a lung-busting 13.4% gradient. It's intense, but totally doable if you respect the road. You'll find a cozy mountain refuge—Chalet Le Pré de Madame Carle—waiting at the top, plus a spacious car park where you can finally catch your breath. From here, adventurers can tackle the walking trail to Glacier Blanc or explore countless mountaineering routes through the Southern Alps. It's basically mountaineer central. Fair warning though: winter closes the road somewhere around the Claux tunnel (between Pelvoux village and the hamlet of Ailefroide), and avalanche danger is real. Summer? That's peak season, and I mean *peak*—nearly 150,000 visitors annually make this the most visited spot in Écrins National Park. Come prepared, check conditions before you go, and get ready for one heck of an alpine experience.