Where is Col de Portet?
France, europe
8 km
2.215 m
hard
Year-round
Col de Portet is a seriously high mountain pass way up in the French Pyrenees, topping out at 2,215m (7,267ft). You'll find it nestled west of Saint-Lary-Soulan in the Occitanie region, practically kissing the Spanish border.
The road? Oh, it's an experience! Fully paved as of 2018, it's still a twisty, turny adventure. This aerial road is carved right into the mountainside and the views start breathtaking and just keep getting better.
Don't let the relatively short 8km (5 miles) distance fool you. This is one of the toughest climbs in the Pyrenees, with 14 hairpin turns, super narrow sections, and some seriously steep gradients hitting a max of 16.3%! You'll gain 655 meters in elevation, averaging over 8% — it's a grind! You can see almost the whole route from the bottom which is honestly intimidating in the best way.
Heads up, this beauty is usually snowed in from November to May. The sweet spot is June to October. Also, during the summer, they sometimes restrict access to motorized vehicles between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. (except for locals).
But is it worth it? Absolutely! It's been featured in the Tour de France, and the 360-degree views from the summit are incredible, showing off all the surrounding peaks. The tough climb might make you want to stop driving for the day, but the view is worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 8 km
- Max Elevation
- 2.215 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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