Where is Coll d'Ares-Col d'Ares?

Coll d'Ares – or Col d'Ares-Col d'Ares, if you're feeling fancy – is a seriously cool international mountain pass straddling the border between France and Spain, right in the heart of the Pyrenees.

You'll find it in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of France (Occitania region) linking with the comarca of Ripollès in Girona, Catalonia, way up in northern Spain.

The route to the top is fully paved. On the French side, you're cruising along the D115, while once you cross the border into Spain, it becomes the GI-400. Starting near Prats-de-Mollo-La-Preste, it's a climb of about 16km with a significant elevation gain – the average grade hovers around 6%. The descent? Brace yourself! Especially if you're headed down the French side, you’ll definitely want to layer up and double-check your brakes.

The road is generally well-maintained. The name doesn't come from the Greek god of war; it's derived from... well, that's a history lesson for another time! Just know, you'll spot other passes in the Pyrenees with similar names.

The views from the pass are incredible, especially higher up. Expect wide, sweeping panoramas of the surrounding hills and mountains. Up at the pass itself, there's not much in the way of services – which adds to the peaceful vibe. It's an awesome way to cross between France and Spain, giving you easy access to loads of other amazing routes on the Spanish side.

Keep an eye out, you'll also cross a couple of other passes along the way, with signs pointing the way.

If you're coming from France, you'll roll through Prats-de-Mollo-La-Preste, a totally charming medieval village. There’s a fork in the road, and I highly recommend taking the detour into the historic heart of the village – a maze of narrow streets, easy to get lost in, but eventually you'll pop out on the other side. Gorgeous views are the reward.

Make sure you fuel up in Prats-de-Mollo-La-Preste before heading into Spain. Once you're on the Spanish side, the road (now the GI-400) is a bit less steep than it was in France.

Downhill, use your engine to brake. The pavement on the Spanish side is generally better than the French side. Though steep, the road is pretty wide. Even big vehicles can pass each other easily. But be careful. Rest stops are scarce on this stretch.