Where is Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin?
France, europe
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N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin, perched way up high on the French-Spanish border at a lung-busting altitude. You’ll straddle two worlds as you cruise between southwestern France and northern Spain. And get this – it's one of only five roads in Spain with a totally wild "pigtail" section, where the road loops around and passes UNDER itself!
The whole road is paved, so no worries there. On the French side, they call it D132, but once you cross that invisible line into Spain, it magically transforms into NA-137. Be warned: this route isn't for the faint of heart. Think narrow stretches, hairpin after hairpin, and more twists than a pretzel factory. That pigtail turn is the star of the show, a total mind-bender that’s up there with the most famous curves on the planet!
Clocking in at around 26 miles from Arette (France) to Isaba (Spain), this isn’t a quick jaunt. But trust me, the dramatic change in scenery alone is worth the trip, making every climb a unique adventure.
Expect some serious legwork for your engine, as this pass isn’t playing around. Some sections hit gradients that’ll have you shifting down, making it a real test of skill. It may not be as notorious as some other climbs, but it’ll definitely keep you on your toes and reward you with some truly killer views.
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