
The Road to Coll de Jou is a Chillout in the Pyrenees
Spain, europe
14.7 km
1,637 m
moderate
Year-round
Coll de Jou is a high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,637m (5,370ft) in the province of Girona, nestled in the heart of Catalonia's Pyrenees in northern Spain.
At the summit, you'll find free parking and Refugi De Sant Jordi, a mountain shelter that's seen better days—it's unmaintained with two separate rooms, one featuring a fireplace that's more decorative than functional (it leaks!).
The 14.7 km (9.13 miles) route runs west-east from Bruguera to Ogassa through the Serra Cavallera range, and it's a proper adventure. The road is fully paved with some concrete sections, but don't expect smooth sailing—this climb is steep and chunky, with a punishing 16.0% maximum gradient in places. The gradient keeps you guessing too, mixing steep ramps with gentler stretches throughout. Fair warning: it's narrow and twisty, so caravans need not apply.
But here's the payoff: you're climbing through some seriously gorgeous mountain scenery in one of Europe's most stunning ranges. Just take your time, enjoy the views, and maybe skip the mountain refuge unless you're desperate for a chat with the fireplace.
Where is it?
The Road to Coll de Jou is a Chillout in the Pyrenees is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.3315, -2.4332
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,637 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 40.3315, -2.4332
Related Roads in europe
moderateTersun Gecidi
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're cruising through Turkey's Black Sea region, you HAVE to check out Tersun Gecidi. This mountain pass in Gümüşhane Province climbs up to a cool 2,095 meters (that's 6,873 feet!). The road is paved, but don't think it's gonna be a walk in the park. Prepare for some serious hairpin turns and narrow stretches that'll keep you on your toes, no matter how seasoned a driver you are. Weather can be a real wildcard here, too, sometimes forcing road closures, so keep an eye on the forecast. But hey, with views like these, the challenge is totally worth it!
extremeCapanna Tondi Refuge
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! Let's talk about getting to Rifugio Capanna Tondi, a seriously stunning mountain refuge nestled way up high in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. We're talking about reaching 2,347 meters (that's 7,700 feet!) in the heart of the southern Dolomitic Alps. Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The "road" is more like a rugged, rocky, and sometimes downright treacherous trail. Think loose gravel, steep inclines, and a whole lot of "hold on tight!" Seriously, you'll want a 4x4 for this one. It's usually only passable in the summer months, from early June to maybe early October, weather permitting. Speaking of weather, altitude and crazy conditions are always in play up here. Expect high winds pretty much year-round. But trust me, the views are absolutely worth the nail-biting drive. Get ready for panoramic vistas and that incredible feeling of being on top of the world!
moderateWhere is Hohneck?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: You're in France, cruising through the Grand Est region, specifically the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park. You're heading up to Hohneck, a peak sitting right on the border of the Vosges and Haut-Rhin departments, about 4,468 feet above sea level. What awaits you at the top? A huge parking lot and a cozy mountain refuge called Auberge du Sommet du Hohneck, perfect for a pit stop. This peak basically splits Alsace and Lorraine! And just a hop, skip, and a jump away (1.5km to the east) is Little Hohneck, clocking in at 4,225 feet. Plus, skiers and snowboarders, take note: La Bresse Hohneck is practically on top of the mountain. Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! Get ready for some serious views from high up in the Vosges Mountains. On a clear day, you can see everything from the entire Vosges range to the Black Forest, the Jura, a good chunk of the Swiss Alps, and even the Alps far off in the distance! The road itself? Let's just say it adds a little *spice* to the adventure. It's paved, but it's seen better days. Think seven hairpin turns and some narrow sections, so keep your eyes peeled! The climb from the D430 (Route des Cretes) is a short but sweet 0.86 miles. In that short distance, you'll climb around 374 feet, giving you an average gradient of around 8%, which is pretty spicy! Get ready for a memorable drive with views that will knock your socks off!
moderateCan you drive up Puy de Dome?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: Puy de Dôme, a massive, dome-shaped volcano rising up like a boss in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. This bad boy clocks in at 1,450 meters (that's 4,757 feet!), and it's a legendary Tour de France climb. So, can you actually *drive* up this beast? Well, here's the scoop: the road, *Route du Puy de Dôme*, is paved and looks super inviting, winding around the volcano. But hold your horses! It's mostly off-limits to private cars these days. Only military, service, and emergency vehicles get the green light. They built a tourist train called the Panoramique des Dômes back in 2010, which effectively shut down access for individual cyclists too. Unless, that is, you're one of the lucky 300 in the annual La Montée de Puy de Dôme race! The climb itself? It's about 6.2 kilometers (or 3.85 miles) of pure, unadulterated fun... or maybe suffering, depending on your fitness level. Starting at La Font de l'Arbre, west of Clermont-Ferrand, the road snakes its way up, and let me tell you, it's steep! We're talking an elevation gain of 633 meters, an average gradient of 10.20%, and sections that hit a whopping 16%. Ouch! But is it worth it? Absolutely! Puy de Dôme is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting nearly half a million visitors every year. The views from the top are insane – you can see the entire Chaîne des Puys and Clermont-Ferrand spread out below. Plus, there are restaurants, shops, a visitor center, the Temple of Mercury, and the Clermont Observatory of Terrestrial Physics up there. Whether you're a hardcore cyclist, a casual tourist, or just looking for a breathtaking experience, Puy de Dôme is a must-see!