Where is Col du Tourmalet?
France, europe
34.1 km
2,115 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the French Pyrenees, ready to tackle the legendary Col du Tourmalet. This beast of a pass sits way up high at 2,115 meters (almost 7,000 feet!), smack-dab in the Hautes-Pyrénées.
You'll find it in the Occitan region, connecting the Adour and Gave de Pau valleys. Word to the wise: keep an eye out for a gravel road near the gift shop – it leads to the unreal Pic du Midi de Bigorre.
The D918 road will take you to the summit. It stretches for about 34 kilometers (that's 21 miles!) from Luz-Saint-Sauveur to the D935 road, just south of Campan. Don't let the smooth, paved surface fool you; this climb is a workout! Some sections are seriously steep, hitting a max gradient of 12%.
The Tourmalet's a legend for a reason. The Tour de France has crossed it more than eighty times! Back in 1910, it was basically a farm track used by farmers and goats. These days, you'll find statues at the top honoring Jacques Goddet and Octave Lapize. Keep an eye on the kilometer markers, they’ll taunt you with the distance remaining and the upcoming gradient. Cyclists from all over the world flock here, and trust me, it lives up to the hype.
And yes, it's challenging, but the panoramic views of the Pyrenees are absolutely breathtaking. You won't regret conquering this one.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 34.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,115 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
hardAlto de la Sagra
🇪🇸 Spain
# Alto de la Sagra: A Thrilling High-altitude Adventure Want to experience some seriously dramatic Spanish mountain scenery? Head to Alto de la Sagra, a stunning high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,764 meters (5,787 feet) in Granada's stunning landscape. The route up is via the A-4301, and honestly, it's got character. The asphalt is there, but it's bumpy and rough in places – think rustic mountain charm with real teeth. The road's narrow and steep, with some sections hitting 10% grades that'll definitely get your adrenaline pumping. You've got two approaches to choose from. Coming from La Losa? That's a 14 km climb gaining 644 meters of elevation, averaging 4.6%. Prefer a gentler route? Start from Sila Espada instead – it's 15 km with 560 meters of gain and a more manageable 3.7% average grade. Fair warning though: this is the real deal. Hairpin curves and seriously exposed dropoffs mean you'll want to keep both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. If you've got passengers who get queasy about heights, maybe warn them ahead of time – the views are incredible, but the exposure is real.
hardWhere is Portillo de Lunada?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, road trip enthusiasts, buckle up! We're heading to Portillo de Lunada, nestled high in the Cordillera Cantábrica, right on the border where Cantabria kisses Castile and León in northern Spain. This ancient pass, used since Roman times, climbs from Espinosa de los Monteros up to San Roque de Riomiera through the stunning Collados del Asón Natural Park. Clocking in at just under 20 miles, this route isn't for the faint of heart. While usually open year-round, winter can bring closures, so check ahead. Expect a maximum gradient of 12% on paved sections that wind their way to the top. Be warned though, this beauty comes with a bite! Keep an eye out for potential rockslides. The views? Totally worth it. But keep your wits about you – this isn't a Sunday drive.
moderateDatvisjvari Pass is Georgia's Ultimate Off-Road Adventure
🇬🇪 Georgia
Welcome to Ugheltekhili Dat'visjvari, or 'Bear Cross Pass' as it's known locally, a hidden gem nestled in Georgia's Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. This beast sits at a whopping 2,689m (8,822ft) above sea level! The pass gets its quirky name from a massive marble cross that marked this spot back in the Russian Empire days. The Shatili road, as it's called, stretches for 42.5 km (26.40 miles) from Godani, leading to the remote and historic village of Shatili, practically spitting distance from the Russian border. But the adventure doesn't end there! The road continues to Mutso and even wilder villages tucked away in the Andaki valley. Keep in mind, you'll typically find this beauty snowed in from October until May. The views? Absolutely breathtaking! But don't let the scenery distract you too much, because this unpaved road isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking serious drop-offs, ancient villages clinging to the mountainside, and fortresses that will transport you back in time. You'll need a trusty 4x4, nerves of steel, and a healthy respect for those steep 10% inclines. Plus, be prepared for possible river and waterfall flooding. It’s an unforgettable, adrenaline-pumping adventure you won't soon forget!
extremeFear and adrenaline: Traversing the terrifying Vitim River Bridge in Siberia
🌍 Russia
# The Vitim River Bridge: Siberia's Most Terrifying Crossing Ever heard of a bridge so sketchy that crossing it feels like a badge of honor? Welcome to the Kuandinsky Bridge in Russia's Trans-Baikal Region, where an old railway structure spanning the Vitim River has become legendary among adventure seekers. This isn't your average road crossing. Built back in the 1980s for trains, the 570-meter (1,870-foot) bridge sits just 50 feet above the fast-moving Vitim River—a major tributary of the Lena River. Here's where it gets wild: it's only six feet wide. That's barely wider than most cars' wheelbases. No railings. No safety features. Just you, your vehicle, and a whole lot of nerve. The bridge's surface? Rotting wooden planks laid over a decaying metal frame that hasn't seen proper maintenance in four decades. In winter, those planks turn into an icy death trap with zero traction. Summer's no picnic either—the wood is slippery, cracked, and frankly, sketchy. The crossing takes about three minutes if you know what you're doing, but one wrong move and you're breaking through to the river below. Here's the kicker: if your car does punch a hole in the planking, you better have a repair kit handy. The next person using the bridge will be fixing it themselves. That's just how things work in remote Siberia. Yet somehow, this rickety structure is the lifeline connecting the small village of Kuanda (population 1,500) to the outside world. About 34 people have successfully crossed it—they even created a Facebook page to celebrate their survival. If you're crazy enough to attempt it, just know you're joining an elite (and slightly unhinged) group of adventurers.