Where is Col de Jou?

Where is Col de Jou?

France, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: the Col de Jou, a hidden gem nestled in the French Pyrénées! You'll find it chilling at a cool

above sea level, tucked away in the

department. It's seriously gorgeous up there, especially with that

hanging out near the top.

Now, the road itself? Mostly smooth sailing with a paved surface. BUT, hold on tight! There's a section that gets a little wild, almost unpaved, and seriously narrow – they call it

. If you're not a fan of cliff-hugging mountain roads, maybe take a deep breath!

The whole climb is only about

long, but you'll gain

along the way. The views? Absolutely stunning! Get ready for some serious postcard-worthy scenery.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Where Is Road D914?moderate

Where Is Road D914?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, road trippers, buckle up for the D914, or as the locals call it, Route d’Espagne! This isn't just any drive; it's a seriously scenic coastal cruise through the Pyrénées-Orientales region of France, right on the Spanish border. Stretching from the Col de Belitres all the way to the charming fishing port of Port-Vendres, this north-south beauty is a feast for the eyes. Think postcard-perfect Mediterranean views, dotted with beaches, hidden bays, and cute little coves. Now, fair warning: this road can get *packed*, especially during those summer months. Keep an eye out for traffic! It also winds its way up a couple of notable climbs, first to Coll de les Fresses (344 feet) and then to Coll dels Belitres (545 feet). Also, heads up – this route can be closed without warning sometimes. But don’t let that deter you – the payoff is SO worth it!

Where is Colle Lauson?hard

Where is Colle Lauson?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, picture this: Colle Lauson, a super-high mountain pass sitting way up in the Italian Alps (Turino Province to be exact) at a cool 8,192 feet above sea level! You'll find it nestled inside the Parco Naturale del Gran Bosco di Salbertrand. We're talking about the Strada Provinciale 173, or what the locals call the Assietta Road. It's nearly 40km of mostly unpaved awesomeness, clinging to the mountainside, almost entirely above 2,000m! Now, here's the catch: this beauty is only open from June to October, and they're super strict about vehicle size. The road was built in the early 1900s by the 3rd Reggimento Alpini. Plus, during July and August you can only drive it on certain days and times: Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Plan ahead and prepare for some unreal views!

A curvy scenic road to Col de la Vacciahard

A curvy scenic road to Col de la Vaccia

🇫🇷 France

# Col de la Vaccia Sitting pretty at 1,193 meters (3,914 feet) above sea level in Corse-du-Sud on the island of Corsica, Col de la Vaccia is a stunning mountain pass that'll take your breath away — literally and figuratively. The road to the top, D69, recently got a fresh asphalt makeover and features some seriously steep sections reaching up to 6.1%, so come prepared for a proper workout. You've got options depending on where you're starting from. The shortest route kicks off from Aullène at just 11.32 km with a 357-meter elevation gain (averaging 3.1%). If you want something more challenging, Olivese offers a 12.6 km climb with a hefty 703 meters of elevation gain — averaging 5.6% and definitely earning its stripes. Feeling more ambitious? The route from Guitera les Bains stretches 22 km with 766 meters of climbing (3.5% average), while the epic journey from Loreto di Tallano covers 26 km and 918 meters of elevation gain (also 3.5% average). Whatever you choose, you're in for stunning mountain scenery and that satisfying sense of accomplishment when you reach the summit. The road was upgraded back in 2011, so modern facilities and decent pavement await you on this gorgeous Corsican adventure.

A paved road to Col de la Platriere in the French Alpshard

A paved road to Col de la Platriere in the French Alps

🇫🇷 France

# Col de la Platrière Sitting pretty at 2,220 meters (7,283 feet) in France's Hautes-Alpes department, Col de la Platrière is a serious Alpine adventure. You'll find it just 2.5 kilometers south of the legendary Col d'Izoard in the southeastern corner of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The 23.6-kilometer (14.66-mile) route along D902 connects Arvieux to Cervières with relentless switchbacks and narrow stretches that'll keep you on your toes. This isn't a casual drive—expect gradients hitting 12% and some genuinely exposed sections with stomach-dropping drop-offs. But here's the thing: it's completely paved, and the whole road is a Tour de France favorite for good reason. Once you reach the summit, there's a small parking area and the stunning Casse Deserte landscape. Definitely take those few extra minutes to hike up to the orientation boards for some seriously epic views across the Alps. Whether you're a cycling enthusiast chasing Tour de France history or just a road-tripping adrenaline junkie, this pass delivers the high-altitude Alpine experience you're after.