Where is Port de Boucharo-Puerto de Bujaruelo?

Where is Port de Boucharo-Puerto de Bujaruelo?

France, europe

Length

12.4 km

Elevation

2,278 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between France and Spain, way up in the Pyrenees, at the Port de Boucharo, also known as Puerto de Bujaruelo. This place is seriously high, sitting at 2,278 meters (7,473 feet)!

Getting here is an adventure in itself. From the French side, you can cruise up the D-923 from Gavarnie. It's about 12.4 km (7.7 miles) of paved road, switchbacking its way up with an average gradient of 7.21%. Sounds easy? It's steep and narrow, and the last 1.6 km are blocked off by boulders, so it’s hike-a-bike or foot traffic only from there. Keep an eye out for falling rocks!

Alternatively, you can hike up a mule track from the Spanish side, starting at Sant Nicolau de Buixaruelo.

Keep in mind this pass is only accessible during the warmer months (May to November). The weather up here is no joke, so be prepared for anything! Once you make it to the top, the views are totally worth it!

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Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
12.4 km
Max Elevation
2,278 m
Difficulty
hard

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