October · Good
Beautiful autumn light and very quiet roads. First snow can arrive at the top by the end of the month.
Verdict
Good
Where to base
Jaca, Bagneres de Luchon or Ainsa
Roads in the Atlas
12
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. Seasonal notes are reviewed against published closure dates and reopened each spring. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 17 April 2026
Context
Quieter than the Alps, cheaper than Switzerland and every bit as steep. Tour de France cols on the French side, wilder and emptier roads on the Spanish.
Roads
Savoie and Hautes-Alpes, France
The spine of the Route des Grandes Alpes, a relentless climb to one of driving's holiest summits.
11.2 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10
Closed roughly October to May with snow at the summit
Hautes-Alpes, France
Hairpins through larch forest give way to the lunar Casse Deserte, a surreal high altitude finale.
20.5 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10
Closed roughly November to April
Hautes-Pyrenees, France
The highest paved pass in the Pyrenees and the Tour de France's most storied climb.
11.8 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10
Closed roughly October to May
Pyrenees-Atlantiques, France
Cliff cut hairpins and cirque views link two valleys via the dramatic Litor shelf.
18.6 mi · Rating 9.4 / 10
Closed roughly November to May
Hautes-Alpes, France
Remote high altitude pass to the Italian frontier with tight ribbons and stark empty scenery.
13.7 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10
Closed roughly October to June, one of the highest paved passes in Europe
Hautes-Pyrenees, France
A dramatic balcony road along the Litor cliff face connecting straight into the Aubisque.
11.8 mi · Rating 9 / 10
Closed roughly November to May
Aragon Pyrenees, Spain
A long alpine valley run past reservoirs and ski towns to the French border ridge.
28 mi · Rating 9 / 10
Portalet summit closes in heavy snow
Hautes-Alpes, France
A broad glacier flanked highway linking the Romanche and Guisane valleys beneath the Meije massif.
23.6 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10
Occasional winter closures in heavy snow
Aragon Pyrenees, Spain
A short dramatic climb into a canyon rimmed by sheer limestone walls and waterfalls.
5 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10
Closed to private cars in peak season, shuttle bus required
Andorra, eastern Pyrenees
Europe's highest paved Pyrenean pass sweeps through bare granite scenery above the treeline.
11.2 mi · Rating 8.7 / 10
Highest paved pass in the Pyrenees, snow chains common in winter
Hautes-Alpes, France
A gentler Alpine link road with sweeping meadows between two harder edged giants.
12.4 mi · Rating 8.6 / 10
Closed roughly November to May
Pyrenees-Atlantiques, France
A wild limestone plateau climb through the karst country of the western Pyrenees.
14.9 mi · Rating 8.5 / 10
Closed roughly November to May