France, Hautes-Pyrenees, France
The highest paved pass in the Pyrenees and the Tour de France's most storied climb.
Length
19 km
In miles
11.8 mi
Driving time
36 min
Atlas rating
9.5 / 10
The run
Luz-Saint-Sauveur to Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, following the D918. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Closed roughly October to May
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Every road in the library carries a driving and scenery score set by the same method. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 14 June 2026
Nearby
28 km away
Col de Peyresourde
A classic Pyrenean crossing of open pasture and hairpins on the Route des Pyrenees.
29 km away
Col du Soulor
A dramatic balcony road along the Litor cliff face connecting straight into the Aubisque.
35 km away
Road to Ordesa Valley
A short dramatic climb into a canyon rimmed by sheer limestone walls and waterfalls.
40 km away
Col d'Aubisque
Cliff cut hairpins and cirque views link two valleys via the dramatic Litor shelf.
45 km away
Valle de Tena to Portalet
A long alpine valley run past reservoirs and ski towns to the French border ridge.
75 km away
Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin
A wild limestone plateau climb through the karst country of the western Pyrenees.
Plan around it
Curated drives
France, Provence & Alpes
Route Napoléon
Lavender, limestone gorges and the finest sustained GT road in France.
France, French Alps
Route des Grandes Alpes
Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean across seventeen alpine cols.
France, Côte d'Azur
Col de Turini
The Monte Carlo Rally's night stage, and still the best test of a small quick car in Europe.
Longer journeys