Travel Guide to the Top of Col de Pause in the Pyrenees

Col de Pause is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,542m (5,059ft) above sea level, located in the Ariège department of France.

Col de Pause

Where Is Col de Pause?

The pass is located near the international Port d’Aulà, in the region of Occitanie, in the southwestern part of the country, near the Spanish border.

Is Col de Pause Unpaved?

Set high in the Pyrenees mountain range, the road to the summit is stunning. It’s totally unpaved and is called Route Forestière du Port d’Aula. Built in the 1970s, it’s said to be one of the most beautiful roads in the Pyrenees. The drive is extremely challenging, very narrow (impassable for two cars at the same time), and has dozens of hairpin turns.

How Long Is Col de Pause?

The road to the summit is very steep, with a 14% maximum gradient on some of the ramps. Starting at Couflens, the ascent is 9 km (5.5 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 834 meters. The average gradient is 9.26%.

 

 

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