How to drive the 11.6% gravel road to Crête de la Soumaye?

Crête de la Soumaye is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,348m (7,703ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France.

Crête de la Soumaye

Is the road to Crête de la Soumaye unpaved?

The route starts where the asphalt ends at Col de Portet and follows a 1.1 km unpaved service road. It is a steep track used for ski resort maintenance, where the loose rock surface and the 11.6% gradient are the main obstacles.

How demanding is the 11.6% gradient to Crête de la Soumaye?

The 1.1 km road starts from a parking lot at the summit of Col de Portet and gains 128 meters of elevation in a very short distance. The average gradient is 11.6%, but some ramps are steeper and covered in loose gravel. On this pitch, tires frequently spin and lose grip, especially if you stop and try to restart the climb. The road is narrow and has no guardrails or safety barriers to stop a vehicle from sliding off the edge. The sides of the track consist of unstable scree that can crumble under the weight of the wheels.

Can I drive my vehicle to Crête de la Soumaye?

Standard cars do not have the clearance or the traction to handle the rocky ascent. A high-clearance 4x4 is necessary to avoid hitting the underbody against the deep ruts and the stones of the road.

Is the road to Crête de la Soumaye open year-round?

Set high in the Occitania Region at 2,348m, the route is completely buried under snow from October to June, making it impassable even for heavy 4x4 vehicles. Weather at this elevation is unpredictable, and a sudden storm can turn the dry gravel into a slippery mud track, making the descent back to the asphalt extremely hazardous.
Pic: Damien B 

 

 

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