Where is Col de Soudet?
France, europe
25 km
1,540 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Col de Soudet, nestled high in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of France, is calling your name. This baby tops out at a cool 1,540m (5,052ft), so be prepared for some stunning views.
You'll find it just north of the Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France. Ready for a climb?
Yep, it's paved, all 25 km (15 miles) of it. Starting in Aramits and heading south to the D132, this route isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking hairpin turns galore and some seriously steep sections, pushing gradients of 14.5% in places.
The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. Just keep your eyes on the road! This one's a leg burner!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 25 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,540 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateSH8 is a road with spectacular views of the Albanian coast
🇦🇱 Albania
Okay, picture this: cruising down SH8, Albania's coastal dream road hugging both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Seriously, this drive is legendary! Snaking through the counties of Fier and Vlorë, this beauty was carved out back in the 1920s. Completely paved, this 158 km (98-mile) stretch runs from Fier down to Saranda, a total hotspot on the Albanian Riviera. Get ready for some serious elevation! You'll climb from sea level to the Llogara Pass, a whopping 1,043m (3,422ft) high. The freshly paved road is a blast, but keep your wits about you. Expect narrow sections, hairpin turns that demand attention, and sometimes, a lack of guardrails! Budget about 3-4 hours for the drive, non-stop. You'll be glued to the views of rocky cliffs meeting the impossibly blue Adriatic, with tempting hotels and beaches begging for a pit stop. It's the classic Mediterranean coastal experience. But hey, this is Albania! Don't be shocked if you spot locals transporting wood, donkeys, shepherds chilling with their sheep, or even just cows enjoying the day on the roadside. Once you've reached your destination, give yourself a pat on the back – you've earned your stripes as an Albanian driver!
moderateSa Calobra
🇪🇸 Spain
# Sa Calobra: Mallorca's Most Iconic Switchback If you've scrolled through travel Instagram, you've probably seen *that* photo of the impossibly tight road loop on Mallorca's northwest coast. Welcome to Sa Calobra—and yes, it's even more spectacular in person. This legendary route plunges from the Coll dels Reis pass (682 meters) down to sea level in just 9.4 kilometers of pure adrenaline. The showstopper? A jaw-dropping 270-degree hairpin turn where the road actually loops under itself like a snake eating its tail. Built way back in 1932 by Italian engineer Antonio Parietti, it's still one of Europe's most photographed road features, and you'll understand why the moment you see it. The descent cuts through the Serra de Tramuntana mountains (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the views are absolutely unreal—think dramatic limestone cliffs dropping straight into turquoise Mediterranean waters. With twelve major hairpins and gradients reaching 7%, this is serious cyclist territory. The annual Sa Calobra cycling event proves it: thousands of riders flock here every year to conquer the brutal climb back up. At the bottom, you'll find a charming cove where the Torrent de Pareis gorge—one of Mallorca's most impressive natural wonders—meets the sea. The gorge is totally hikeable through short tunnels carved right into the rock, and the beach is perfect for a refreshing swim after your drive. Fair warning: this road gets absolutely rammed with traffic in summer. Go early morning if you want to actually enjoy the experience without bumper-to-bumper madness.
hardPfeishütte
🇦🇹 Austria
# Pfeishütte: A Wild Alpine Adventure in Tyrol Perched at 1,926 meters (6,318 feet) in Austria's stunning Tyrol region, the Pfeishütte is a charming Alpine refuge built way back in 1922. Sitting pretty below Mount Sonntagkar in the Karwendel massif, this place is the real deal for adventure seekers. Fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road is a gravel and rocky beast that'll test your driving skills with its bumpy, tippy sections. It's basically impassable from October through June (unless Mother Nature decides otherwise), so timing is everything. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, seriously reconsider this one—it's definitely for experienced off-roaders only. The 18.6-kilometer ascent from Scharnitz (965m elevation) gains a heart-pumping 961 meters with an average gradient of 5.16%. Translation? It's steep. Really steep. The road is relentless with constant ups, downs, hairpin turns, and narrow passages that'll keep even seasoned drivers on their toes. And those cliff drops? Yeah, they're real. This isn't the place to be acrophobic. But here's the payoff: you're nestled in the breathtaking southern Karwendel range at the end of Samertal valley, surrounded by jaw-dropping views of Rumer Spitz, Stempeljoch, and Bachofen peaks. You'll need a serious off-road vehicle to make it, and after heavy storms, mudflows can shut things down completely. Ready for the challenge?
moderateCollado la Gitana, a gravel mountainous track in southern Spain
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through southern Spain, in the Granada province of Andalucia, heading towards a hidden gem called Collado la Gitana. This mountain pass sits way up high at 1,714 meters (that's 5,623 feet!), nestled within the stunning Sierra Nevada National Park. Now, fair warning: the road to the top is unpaved, so ditch the sports car and grab an SUV or all-road vehicle. I'd recommend hitting this spot from late spring to early fall, because winter brings snow to these winding mountain roads. Trust me, though, the views are SO worth it. You'll be treated to mind-blowing scenery of Mulhacén and Veleta's snowy peaks. Seriously, it's a photographer's dream! Just take it slow, enjoy the ride, and prepare to be amazed.