Discovering the unpaved road up to Col de Sencours in the Pyrenees
Col de Sencours is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.378m (7,801ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitan region of France.
Is the road to Col de Sencours unpaved?
Tucked away in the heart of the central Pyrenees, the scenic road to the summit is totally unpaved. It is steep and has a loose surface, making it challenging to drive. The road includes cliff edges and two short tunnels, making it unsuitable for inexperienced drivers. This path was once known as the Old Toll Road, despite not being a traditional road.
Historical Remnants and Accessibility
A gate blocks vehicle access, but hikers and cyclists can use an adjacent gate. The pass has ruins of the old l'Hôtellerie de Sencours hotel, built in 1852 and rebuilt in 1856 after an avalanche destroyed it.
Is the road to Col de Sencours open in winter?
The road is usually impassable in winter and may still be covered with snow even in late June.
How long is the road to Col de Sencours?
The road starts at Col du Tourmalet near the gift shop and is 3.6 km (2.23 miles) long with an elevation gain of 310 meters. It has an average gradient of 8.61%, with some sections reaching a gradient of 24%.
Is the road to Col de Sencours worth the drive?
The road offers stunning views and provides an idea of what the Col du Tourmalet might have looked like before it was paved. From Col de Sencours, the road continues for another 1.5 km to the Col de Laquets (2,637m), just below Pic du Midi.
Pic: Raphaël Ehret