Where is Col des Laquets?
France, europe
5.6 km
2,637 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Col des Laquets is a seriously epic mountain pass perched way up high in the French Pyrenees, clocking in at a dizzying 2,637m (that's 8,651ft!). You'll find this bad boy in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France.
Heads up, this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road is unpaved, rugged, and unforgiving! We're talking steep inclines, loose surfaces, and heart-stopping cliff edges – oh, and a couple of short tunnels thrown in for good measure! They call it the Old Toll Road, though, spoiler, it isn't one. The altitude alone will leave you breathless, and the gnarly road conditions make it a no-go for newbie drivers. There's even a gate to keep cars out, so this one's best tackled on foot or by bike.
The climb from the gift shop stretches for about 5.6 km (3.47 miles), packing in a whopping 566 meters of elevation gain. Get ready for an average gradient of 10.10%, with sections that crank up to a brutal 24%! And don't be surprised if you encounter snow, even in late June.
But trust me, the views are worth the sweat! Word is, there's even talk of building a hotel up there, which could mean paving the road someday. Plus, if you're feeling extra adventurous, the Pic du Midi di Bigorre is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the pass. Get ready for views that'll blow your mind!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 5.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,637 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Tuc de Costarjàs located?
🇪🇸 Spain
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about Tuc de Costarjàs! This peak sits high up in the Catalan Pyrenees, way up in the province of Lleida. We're talking serious altitude here, so prepare for some epic views overlooking the Aran Valley. The road? Well, "road" might be a generous term. It's more like a rocky, unpaved trail, a little over long. Get ready for some seriously steep climbs – we're talking gradients hitting 18% in places. And don't even think about bringing your sedan; a 4x4 is absolutely essential for this beast. You'll be following what is essentially a chairlift access trail, and there's this crazy straightaway that just shoots right toward the summit. Keep in mind this is ski country. You'll want to plan your trip for the summer months because this road is completely snowed under in winter and spring, becoming a ski run.
extremeWhat are the most spectacular Balcony Roads in France? Top 86
🇫🇷 France
# France's Iconic Balcony Roads: A Thrill-Seeker's Guide Picture this: you're hugging a cliff face carved into the mountainside, the valley sprawling thousands of feet below, and the road ahead narrows to what feels like a single car's width. Welcome to France's legendary balcony roads—engineering marvels that'll make your heart race and your Instagram followers jealous. These aren't your typical highways. Balcony roads are narrow mountain routes literally carved into steep cliffs, offering passage through some of Europe's most rugged terrain while treating you to views of deep gorges, thundering rivers, and sweeping valleys. You'll navigate winding paths, sharp bends, hairpin turns, and tunnels blasted directly into solid rock. Many sections are single-track, meaning you need nerves of steel when meeting oncoming traffic. Most are fully paved, but they're restricted to lighter vehicles because of their tight curves and limited width. You'll find these beauties scattered across the **Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur** and **Alpes-Maritimes** regions, often weaving through protected natural parks. While some remain actively used, others have been bypassed by modern tunnels or closed due to landslides and rockfalls. The trade-off? These routes are blissfully quiet, making them perfect for adventurous motorcyclists, cyclists, and travelers who crave jaw-dropping scenery off the beaten path. ## The Highlights You Can't Miss **Gorges de Galamus** stretches just 2km between Cubières-sur-Cinoble and Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, but don't let the short distance fool you. The D10 and D7 roads are devilishly narrow and genuinely dangerous. Summer traffic brings congestion, and July-August special regulations kick in. Here's the kicker: the narrowness means you literally can't turn back. **Gorges de la Pierre-Lys** offers drama on a massive scale. South of Quillan (itself south of Carcassonne), this road climbs through a deep gorge with cliffs soaring 700 meters on either side. The town of Quillan makes a great base for exploring both Cathar castles to the east and these spectacular gorges to the south. **Gorge du Cians** is a photographer's fever dream. The D-road winds through red rock canyons in the Alpes Maritimes, with the River Cians dropping a jaw-dropping 1,600 meters over just 25km. The most stunning section? Pra d'Astier, right in the middle between Beuil and Touet-sur-Var. **Les Grands Goulets** is a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering (1843-1854). This fully paved gem connects the Royans area to Vercors Central with the Vernaison River creating a stunning 200-meter waterfall. As you drive, rock towers overhead—it's pure magic. **D219** through the Vallée du Vénéon earns its reputation as one of Europe's scariest roads. At just under 10km, it's impassable for two cars simultaneously, carved directly into sheer rock with terrifying cliffs on both sides. This one's genuinely intense. **Combe Laval** (via D76) frequently gets called the most magnificent road in the French Alps. Built between 1861 and 1898 originally to haul timber, it's now a cyclist's holy grail. Nearly 8 miles of alpine beauty cut into cliff faces through narrow tunnels between St-Jean-en-Royans and Col de la Machine. **Gorges Du Verdon** earned its nickname "Grand Canyon of Europe" honestly. A sheer vertical drop of 2,300+ feet, blind curves, hairpin turns, craggy overhangs, and—thrillingly—no guardrails. It's spectacular and absolutely terrifying. **Col du Chaussy** sits at 1,533 meters and is probably most famous for the "lacets de Montvernier"—17 unbelievable hairpins that'll make your hands sweat on the steering wheel. Dating from 1934, it's an improbable road clinging to the cliff edge. **D81 through Calanques de Piana** in Corsica is pure spectacle. This 11.7km stretch along the west coast winds between bizarre red granite formations carved by wind and water. Between Porto and Piana, the scenery is absolutely surreal. ## Pro Tips for Navigating These Roads Navigate these routes with respect and caution. They demand skill and concentration—no casual Sunday drives here. Low traffic makes them ideal for getting the perfect shot, but that doesn't mean they're safe. Weather changes fast in the mountains, and many roads close during winter months. Lighter vehicles perform best on these narrow passages. If you're towing anything or driving a large van, check height and width restrictions first—some roads have strict limits. Better to plan ahead than get stuck halfway through. These roads aren't just about getting from point A to point B. They're about the experience: the adrenaline rush, the unbelievable vistas, the sense of conquering terrain that seems impossible to drive. Whether you're a seasoned rider, an adventurous cyclist, or a driver who loves a challenge, France's balcony roads deliver an unforgettable journey through some of Europe's most spectacular landscapes.
moderateA very attractive road with endless bends to Bacino di Campo Moro in Valtellina
🇮🇹 Italy
# Bacino di Campo Moro: A Wild Alpine Adventure Tucked away in the Sondrio province of Lombardy, Italy, Bacino di Campo Moro is a stunning alpine lake sitting pretty at 2,013m (6,604ft) elevation. It's right near the Swiss border, making it the perfect escape into the Italian Alps. What awaits you at the top? A charming little church called Chiesa della Madonna della Providenza, some cozy accommodations and hotels, and a spacious parking lot to call home base while you soak in the views. Now, here's where it gets fun. The 30km (18-mile) drive from Sondrio is a fully paved roller coaster that'll get your heart pumping. Starting at just 300m elevation, you're looking at a massive 1,716m climb with an average gradient of 5.7% (hitting a gnarly 15% at its steepest). The road gets incredibly narrow in spots, weaving through endless hairpin bends and tunnels blasted right through granite rock as you ascend the Val Lanterna valley. The scenery? Absolutely jaw-dropping. Picture verdant pastures dotted with cows, towering granite mountains painted in wild colors, glacier-fed streams tumbling down the slopes, and dramatic crevasses carved into the landscape. This is Valtellina at its most spectacular. Fair warning: winter drivers need snow chains or winter tires if you're planning a cold-season visit, but the road stays open year-round. If you love tight curves, high altitude, and Alpine drama, this drive checks all the boxes.
moderateA memorable road trip to Mont Colombis
🇫🇷 France
# Mont Colombis: A Stunning Alpine Adventure Nestled in the Hautes-Alpes department of southeastern France, Mont Colombis rises to a impressive 1,734m (5,686ft) and delivers some seriously jaw-dropping panoramic views—honestly, some of the best you'll find anywhere in Europe. The drive up from Remollon stretches about 12.3 km (7.64 miles) and gains a hefty 1,066 meters of elevation, averaging out to a solid 8.7% gradient. While the road is fully paved and generally in decent shape, it's definitely on the narrower side, so take your time. Fair warning: there are two particularly steep sections that crank it up past 10%—one between kilometers 2.5 and 4, and another 3.5 km stretch before you hit the top. Nothing you can't handle with careful driving, though. One of the coolest highlights? You'll pass by the Demoiselles coiffées, an absolutely spectacular rock formation carved by centuries of erosion. It's the kind of scenery that makes the drive worthwhile all on its own. Once you reach the summit, you'll find communication towers and a reward that's pure magic—a 360-degree vista that'll have you reaching for your camera again and again. This is quintessential French Alps driving at its finest.