Piau-Engaly

Piau-Engaly

France, europe

Length

19.65 km

Elevation

1,870 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, so you HAVE to check out the D118 in the Hautes-Pyrénées of southwestern France! This winding road takes you up to Piau-Engaly ski resort, perched at a cool 1,870m (6,135ft).

The road is paved, but hold on tight – it's a wild ride! Think 16 hairpin turns and some seriously steep sections that max out at almost 12%!

This climb is so epic, the Tour de France has used it! Starting from Saint Lary Soulan, you're looking at a 19.65 km ascent, gaining a whopping 1,030 meters in elevation. The average grade is around 5.2%, but those last 7 kilometers? Pure magic. It's super quiet, with tons of hairpins, and you finish surrounded by stunning mountain views. Get ready for an unforgettable drive!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
19.65 km
Max Elevation
1,870 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Road trip guide: Conquering the Arch of Freedom in Bulgariaextreme

Road trip guide: Conquering the Arch of Freedom in Bulgaria

🌍 Bulgaria

Way up in the northern-central Bulgarian mountains, straddling the Lovech and Plovdiv provinces, you'll find the Arch of Freedom. This concrete behemoth, also called the Arch of Liberty, stands proud at the top of Goraltepe peak, a cool 1,585 meters (5,200 feet) high! It's a 35-meter tribute to Bulgaria's liberation struggle, built to honor the Russian army's victory back in 1878 and the later Bulgarian-Russian unity after World War II. The views from the top are insane! On a clear day, you can soak in panoramic vistas of the Beli Osam and Troyan valleys, Sredna Gora, the Rhodopes, and Rila mountains. Plus, you'll get a sweet view of the Balkan Mountains' iconic peaks, including Botev, the tallest of them all. Now, here's the heads-up: the 1-kilometer (0.62-mile) road that winds up from Beklemeto-Troyan Pass is no longer the smooth ride it used to be. It's pretty rough now, almost like an unpaved trail, and super narrow – definitely a one-car-at-a-time situation! But hey, there's a parking area right by the monument, so you'll have a spot to leave your ride while you explore.

Where is Pura Pass?hard

Where is Pura Pass?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk about Passo del Pura! This epic mountain pass lives in the Province of Udine, Italy, nestled in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, not far from the Austrian border. You'll find a sweet little parking spot waiting for you at the top (elevation: 1,445m or 4,740ft). The road itself, known as Via San Valentino, is paved the whole way. It's about 15.4 km (9.56 miles) long, connecting the SP73 and SS52 roads with a north-south run. Budget around 25-35 minutes to cruise it without stopping. Now, don't think this is a simple Sunday drive. Passo del Pura is a real test! Expect some tight squeezes, a somewhat questionable road surface in places, dark tunnels, and a constant threat of rockslides. Oh, and did I mention the 28 hairpin turns?! Some sections are seriously steep, hitting a max gradient of 12%. This pass is so legendary it's even been featured in the Giro d’Italia! But trust me, the views of the Carnia mountains in the Apennines are worth every white-knuckle moment. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!

Road trip guide: Conquering Námaskarð Passhard

Road trip guide: Conquering Námaskarð Pass

🇮🇸 Iceland

Okay, adventurers, buckle up for a seriously unique drive through Iceland's Námaskarð mountain pass! Up here at 409 meters (1,341 feet), you'll feel like you've landed on Mars. Seriously, the sulfuric landscape is totally otherworldly. You'll be cruising on Route 1, Iceland's famous Ring Road, so the surface is paved. Don't let that fool you, though—this road throws a few curveballs with its twists, turns, and narrow sections. Newbies might want to avoid driving at night or when the visibility dips. While you're taking in the sights, remember to keep your hands to yourself when it comes to the water...it's probably boiling hot!

Col du Marchairuzhard

Col du Marchairuz

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Col du Marchairuz Nestled in Switzerland's Vaud canton within the Jura Mountains, Col du Marchairuz sits pretty at 1,447 meters (4,747 feet) above sea level. This charming mountain pass connects Le Brassus and Bière with a narrow, twisty asphalt road that'll definitely get your adrenaline pumping—especially with that gnarly 14% gradient in places. Coming up from Le Brassus? You're looking at a 7 km climb that'll gain you 411 meters of elevation, averaging around 5.9% grade. If you're tackling it from the Bière side instead, buckle up for a more intense 9.6 km push with 697 meters of elevation gain and a steeper 7% average—but trust us, it's worth every pedal stroke (or gear shift, depending on your ride). Once you crest the summit, you'll find yourself surrounded by a picture-perfect alpine landscape. Colorful wildflower meadows stretch across rolling terrain, dense forests frame the views, and on clear days? You'll catch stunning vistas of Lac Léman and the Savoyan Alps sprawling out before you. It's seriously gorgeous. Feeling peckish after your climb? There's a hotel and restaurant right at the top, so you can refuel and soak in those panoramic views from a comfortable seat. Whether you're a cycling enthusiast or just love scenic drives, this pass is an absolute gem.