What’s the highest paved road of the Pyrenees?
Andorra, europe
32.1 km
2,408 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Port d'Envalira! This beauty sits way up high in Andorra's Encamp parish, topping out at a cool 2,408 meters (that's 7,900 feet!). Think you've seen high roads? This might just be the highest *paved* one in the Pyrenees!
The route, known as CG-2, stretches for 32.1 km (almost 20 miles) from Les Escaldes to El Pas de la Casa, practically kissing the French border. Heads up: in 2002, a tunnel (2,879 meters long) was built to bypass the trickiest section. This tunnel is said to be the highest in the Pyrenees!
You can usually cruise this pass year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter – things can get dicey and lead to closures. Speaking of dicey, this climb is no joke. It's been part of the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, so expect some steep sections, with gradients hitting 11.1% in places! Oh, and did I mention the 15 hairpin turns?
Budget around 45-60 minutes to drive the whole thing without stops. But trust me, you'll *want* to stop. The views are incredible! So plan some extra time to soak it all in. If you're looking for high adventure in Andorra, this is your road!
Road Details
- Country
- Andorra
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 32.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,408 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateHow long is the road to Kionia?
🌍 Cyprus
Okay, adventurers, let's talk Kionia! Nestled in the Nicosia District of Cyprus, this mountain peak clocks in at a cool 4,655 feet. The road up? A 4.16-mile ribbon of pavement starting from Machairas Monastery. Fair warning: it's a bit on the narrow side. Once you get near the top, you'll find the last 1.55 miles are off-limits to personal vehicles – think radar installations, fire lookout towers, and areas with restricted photography. But trust me, even without reaching the very tippy-top, the views are *insane*. We're talking indescribable vistas overlooking the mountains! As the fourth tallest peak in Cyprus, Macheiras (as it's also known) delivers some serious scenery.
hardPleta de Comabella
🇪🇸 Spain
# Pleta de Comabella: A High-Alpine Adventure in Catalonia Perched at 2,148 meters (7,047 feet) in Catalonia's Serra de Moixeró mountain range, Pleta de Comabella is a seriously thrilling mountain pass that'll test your nerve—and your vehicle. Located in the Berguedà comarca, this isn't your typical scenic drive. The road itself? Gravel, rocky, and genuinely bumpy in places. You'll need a 4x4 to even think about tackling this route, and it's strictly off-limits during winter when snow and ice make it completely impassable. If unpaved mountain roads aren't in your wheelhouse, turn back now. The steep grades combined with exposure (so definitely not for anyone uncomfortable with heights) mean this trail demands serious driving chops and respect. Weather matters big time here—wet conditions transform the muddy track into a genuine challenge that'll push experienced off-roaders to their limits. But if you've got the skills and the right rig? You're in for an unforgettable ride through dramatic alpine terrain. Once you crest the summit, you'll find the welcoming Refugi Niu de l'Àliga—the perfect reward after conquering one of Catalonia's most demanding mountain passes. This is pure, unfiltered adventure country.
extremeRoad 622 is a hazardous drive below sea level when the tide is high
🇮🇸 Iceland
# Road 622: Iceland's Ultimate Adrenaline-Fueled Adventure Ready for one of the most jaw-dropping drives on the planet? Road 622—locals call it the Dream Road—winds along the Dýrafjörður fjord in Iceland's remote Westfjords, and it's absolutely not for the faint of heart. This 51 km unpaved beast stretches from Þingeyri to Hrafnseyri, carved literally into cliffsides with dramatic mountain backdrops the entire way. You'll need a serious 4x4 with high ground clearance because this isn't your typical road. Expect loose gravel, mud, and rocky terrain that demands respect. Oh, and here's the kicker—parts of it sit below sea level, so you'll want to time your drive with the tides and avoid the soggy sections. The drive takes about 2-3 hours if you're pushing through, but trust us, you'll want to stop. Midway, check out the Svalvogaviti lighthouse from 1920, and you'll eventually reach the charming cove of Svalvogar. What makes this road truly special? On one side, you've got a spectacular shoreline; on the other, towering peaks that locals call the "Westfjord Alps." It's genuinely stunning—the kind of scenery that makes your heart race (sometimes for the right reasons). Here's the reality check: this route is genuinely dangerous. Landslides and falling rocks are common. Strong winds can literally push your vehicle around. High tides flood sections of the track. Weather can shift in minutes, and the road only opens for a few months—spring through early summer—before winter storms and rockslides force closure. The narrow passages with steep drop-offs aren't for anyone afraid of heights. Some sections are barely more than rocky ledges on a mountainside. Built in 1973 by a determined local named Elís Kjaran Friðfinnsson using just a small bulldozer, this road demands serious 4x4 skills, excellent vehicle preparation, and genuine self-reliance. Always check conditions at the Þingeyri gas station before attempting it, and ideally, don't tackle it solo. This isn't a casual Sunday drive—it's a legitimate adventure that separates the truly committed road-trippers from everyone else.
hardTake An Unforgettable Drive to Etang de Soulcem in the Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Étang de Soulcem Ready for a seriously scenic mountain drive? Head to the Étang de Soulcem, a stunning high-altitude reservoir sitting pretty at 1,649 meters (5,410 feet) in the Ariège department of southern France, right near the Andorran-Spanish border in the Occitanie region. Starting from Val-de-Sos, this 17.8 km (11.06 miles) paved route climbs steadily upward with some seriously steep sections—we're talking 15% gradients on the hairpins. Over the entire drive, you'll gain 987 meters of elevation with an average gradient of 5.54%. Yeah, it's a workout, but trust us, the payoff is absolutely worth it. Built between 1980 and 1983, the road delivers absolutely tremendous views that just keep getting better the higher you climb. The narrow road winds through some genuinely challenging hairpin turns near the end—definitely keep your wits about you here, especially if you're meeting traffic coming the other way. Keep an eye out too, as the area can be prone to rockslides. Once you reach the end, you'll find the Parking du Chemin des Orris, where a gravel road continues onward toward the fascinating (and unfinished) Port de Rat tunnel. The reservoir itself is accessible from the nearby commune of Auzat and is home to some beautiful native fish species. Fair warning: this mountain beauty is usually completely impassable during winter months, so plan your visit for the warmer seasons when you can fully appreciate those incredible Pyrenean views.