Where is Pic Negre?
Andorra, europe
20.8 km
2,643 m
moderate
Year-round
Pic Negre, sitting pretty at 2,643m (8,671ft), marks the border between Andorra and Spain. It's a serious contender for one of the highest drives you can find in Andorra.
Perched right on the boundary between Andorra's Escaldes-Engordany and Sant Julià de Lòria, and Spain's Lleida province, the peak gets its "dark mountain" name from the color of its rocks.
Keep your eyes peeled for a totally rad sight: an abandoned VW T1 bus overlooking the Andorran countryside. Legend says this old van was the first to conquer the peak back in the '70s, but its engine gave up at the summit, leaving it as a permanent fixture.
Heads up – getting to the top is a proper off-road adventure. The road is completely unpaved and covered in loose stones. Leave your regular car at home; you'll need a 4x4 to make it.
If you're coming from the Andorran side via Sant Julià de Lòria, it's a 20.8 km (12.92 miles) climb with a whopping 1,638 meters of elevation gain. Expect an average gradient of 7.87%, but some sections ramp up to a lung-busting 16%! Starting from Bescaran in Spain, it's a 16.4 km (10.19 miles) haul, climbing 1,360 meters with an average gradient of 8.29% and maxing out at a leg-burning 20% in places.
Nestled high in the Pyrenees, this road is usually good to go from May to November, but snowfall can change things, so check ahead. Prepare for breathtaking scenery, challenging terrain, and a seriously unforgettable drive.
Road Details
- Country
- Andorra
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 20.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,643 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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