Port d’Envalira

Sunday, June 26th, 2016
  • Port d'Envalira

    I’ve always wanted to visit the tiny principality of Andorra that’s nestled in the eastern Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. It’s not that I wanted to specifically see something there, I’ve just always wanted to go there. So today, I did just that!

    The country is known primarily for its skiing, and for being a tax haven where everything that’s bad for you is deliciously cheap! Despite the opportunities to over-indulge, the 85,000 people of this tiny nation have one of the highest life expectancy rates in the world.

    Climbing up through the clouds on the Port d’Envalira mountain pass from France was an exhilarating drive. The road twists and turns curling around the mountain like a rollercoaster, emerging above the clouds at an elevation of 2,408m (7900ft) above sea level. The climb has been featured several times at the Tour de France and Vuelta a España cycling races and I passed many cyclists making the long hard climb.

    I think I’d like to ride a motorbike on this road on a clear summer day. Better yet, a lazy ride downhill on a bicycle would be awesome for sure!

    Stand here using Google street view.