Where is Pas de Roland?

Where is Pas de Roland?

France, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

1,700 m

Difficulty

easy

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, so you're heading to the Pyrenees, near Andorra, and you're looking for a thrill? Let me tell you about Pas de Roland! This mountain pass sits pretty at 1,700 meters (5,577 feet) in the Ariege department, Midi-Pyrenees.

The road, helpfully named D8, is paved, so no worries there, but don't think it's a walk in the park. This climb is a real leg-burner. You'll be gritting your teeth through some seriously steep stretches, with gradients kicking up to 13% in places and averaging 9.1% overall!

It's about 9.3 kilometers from Massat to the summit, running north to south. Perched in the Central Pyrenees, Pas de Roland is typically open year-round, providing access to a ski resort. But, let's be real, those winter months can be brutal, so aim for late April to October for the best conditions. Get ready for some incredible views!

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Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
1,700 m
Difficulty
easy

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