Where is Col de Puymorens?
France, europe
10.7 km
1,920 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, because Col de Puymorens is calling your name! Nestled high in the French Pyrénées-Orientales at a cool 1,920 meters (that's 6,299 feet!), this mountain pass is a must-do for any road trip aficionado.
You'll find it in the Occitania region, practically spitting distance from the Spanish border and the sparkling Mediterranean. The N320, the smooth paved road to the top, winds its way for 10.7 kilometers (or 6.64 miles for my American friends) between the N20 and N22. Be warned, though - it's a popular route, even for the big rigs! Expect some huffing and puffing with gradients reaching up to 7.7% in places. Cycling fans might recognize it from the Tour de France!
This beauty is usually open year-round, but hey, it's the Pyrenees! Winter can bring some gnarly weather and temporary closures, so keep an eye on the forecast. A tunnel was built way back in '94 to help bypass it, but where's the fun in that? Get ready for some serious mountain views!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 10.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,920 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardSella di Leonessa
🇮🇹 Italy
# Sella di Leonessa Buckle up for a thrilling ride to Sella di Leonessa, a stunning mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,890 meters (6,200 feet) in Italy's Central Apennines. You'll tackle this beast via SP 10, a winding road that climbs toward Monte Terminillo with serious ambition. Fair warning: this route is strictly a summer adventure. Expect it to be completely impassable from November through May, so plan accordingly. The road doesn't hold back—hairpin turns keep you on your toes, and some sections hit a brutal 12.2% gradient that'll make your calves (and brakes) work for it. Pro tip: this pass is legendary enough that the Giro d'Italia has featured it, so you'll be cycling (or driving) in some pretty famous tire tracks. The real magic? Connecting two charming spots: the provincial capital of Rieti—supposedly smack in the geographic center of Italy—with the picturesque mountain village of Leonessa nestled on the northern slopes of the Monti Reatini. It's a quintessential Central Italian experience with switchbacks, stunning alpine scenery, and the kind of challenging drive that makes for great stories back home.
hardFronza alle Coronelle Refuge
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Rifugio Fronza alle Coronelle – or Kölner Hütte if you're feeling German – is calling your name! Perched way up in the Italian Dolomites at a lofty 2,341 meters (that's 7,680 feet!), this mountain refuge is an absolute must-see. Now, getting there is... an experience. Think gravel, rocks, and a whole lot of bumpiness. Seriously, this isn't a Sunday drive in the park. It's more like a chairlift trail repurposed as a road. And a steep one at that! Be warned: this route is typically snowed in from October until June, so plan accordingly. Also, if heights aren't your thing, maybe skip this one. But the views? Totally worth the white knuckles. Prepare for some seriously breathtaking scenery!
moderateAlp Curtginatsch
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Alp Curtginatsch: A Swiss Alpine Adventure Nestled in the heart of Graubünden's Hinterrhein district, Alp Curtginatsch is an absolute gem for mountain enthusiasts. This high alpine pass sits at a breezy 2,274 meters (7,460 feet), offering those incredible thin-air views that make the drive worthwhile. Here's the good news: the road is almost entirely paved, making it surprisingly accessible for a mountain pass of this caliber. The only catch? The final kilometer or so transitions to unpaved terrain, but don't let that discourage you—it's in great condition and totally manageable for most vehicles. Whether you're chasing that perfect alpine photography spot or just looking for an exhilarating drive through the Swiss mountains, Alp Curtginatsch delivers on both fronts. The journey up is rewarding, and the scenery? Absolutely breathtaking.
extremeIs Route de Maronne difficult?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps in the Isère department, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. You're on Route de Maronne, a crazy-scenic mountain road that's not for the faint of heart! Seriously, this fully paved road is *narrow*. Like, "hold-your-breath-when-another-car-comes" narrow. And those drop-offs? Forget about guardrails! If you're not a fan of heights, maybe focus on the road ahead, 'cause it can get a little intense. The views, though? Absolutely worth it. You're winding through La Foret De Maronne forest, surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. Just be ready for some seriously steep climbs – we're talking up to a 20% gradient in places! This little adventure is only about 4.5 km (2.79 miles) long, running from south to north from [start location unspecified] to Le Rosay. Get ready for 8 hairpin turns that’ll test your driving skills. Oh, and heads up – this road often closes in winter due to wild weather. So, buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable drive!