What are the most spectacular roads in Spain?
Spain, with its rich tapestry of history, culture, and landscapes, is not just a country to be visited; it's a country to be experienced on the open road. From the buzzing plazas of Madrid to the serene villages of Andalusia, every corner of Spain hides a story waiting to be discovered.
Imagine steering through Sa Calobra Road in Mallorca, often likened to a wet strand of spaghetti dropped on the floor. With its twists, turns, and unparalleled views, it’s a marvel of engineering set amidst nature's grandeur. Then there's the ascent to Pico del Veleta, a journey that doesn’t just climb mountains but touches the sky, making it Europe’s highest paved road.
Drive further and let the road to Formentor Lighthouse in Mallorca mesmerize you with its coastal charms. Each turn is a portrait of the sea meeting the land in a passionate embrace. Meanwhile, the adrenaline junkies might find their calling in Alto de l’Angliru, nestled in Asturias. This challenging ascent has been the playground for many cycling legends, testing their mettle against its grueling gradient.
For a more rhythmic experience, embark on GC-200 Road, a symphony of 365 curves, each echoing a day of the year. As you navigate this sinuous stretch, it offers panoramas that seem painted by the gods themselves.
As you cruise these Spanish roads, each kilometer unravels a tale, a flavor, or a melody of this vibrant land. So, rev up your engines and let Spain's spectacular routes guide you through a journey of soulful discoveries and unforgettable vistas. You will discover many treasures created by skilled workers employed by construction firms with tradition in Spain.
Puerto de Peñanegra: a bumpy paved road to the summit
Puerto de Peñanegra (or Puerto de Peña Negra) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.909m (6,263ft) above the sea level, located in the Spanish province of Avila. The road to the summit is paved.
An iconic steep road to Puerto de Ancares
Puerto de Ancares is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.670m (5,479ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Galicia and Castilla y León autonomous regions, in Spain’s northwest.
An impressive climb to Fonte da Cova
Fonte da Cova is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.850m (6,069ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Galicia and Castile and León, in Spain’s northwest. It is an impressive climb by any standards.
La Cuevona, one of the few caves which one can go through by car
La Cuevona is a natural cave located in Cuevas del Agua a municipality within the province and autonomous community of Asturias, in northern Spain. Through this vast cavern is the only access to the village. This is a quite unique experience.
The unpaved road to La Caldera Refuge isn’t an easy one
Refugio Vivac de la Caldera is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 3.053m (10,016ft) above the sea level, located in the region of Andalucia, in the province of Granada, in Spain. It’sone of the highest roads of Europe. Spectacular, if somewhat eerie, location in the high mountains beside a crater lake.
A steep paved road to Ermita de l'Abellera
Ermita de la Mare de Déu de l'Abellera is a mountain chapel at an elevation of 1.008m (3,307ft) above the sea level located in the comarca of Baix Camp, in the province of Tarragona, in southern Catalonia, Spain.
A Roman path to Puerto de la Fuenfría
Puerto de la Fuenfría is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.796m (5,892ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between the Autonomous Community of Madrid and the province of Segovia, in the central part of the country.
HI-500, a paved road on an active volcanic area
Located in El Hierro, the smallest and farthest south and west of the Canary Islands, Spain, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, HI-500 is a scenic coastal road, with dangerous drop offs.
An epic enthralling road to Collado de Carihuela
Collado de Carihuela is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.209m (10,528ft) above the sea level, located in the region of Andalucia, in the province of Granada, in Spain. Views down to the Alpujarras and the Mediterranean beyond. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
The road to Estany Llong: be ready to make room for oncoming vehicles
Estany Llong is a glacial lake at an elevation of 2.012m (6,601ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in the autonomous community of Catalonia, northern Spain.
Llanada del Mulhacen: The Road That Has It All
Llanada del Mulhacén is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 3.408m (11,181ft) above the sea level, located in the region of Andalusia, province of Granada, in the south of the peninsula of Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
A narrow paved road to the summit of Col de Mehatche
Col de Méhatché is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 716m (2,349ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.
Observatorio del Pico Veleta-IRAM
Observatorio del Pico Veleta is a high mountain observatory at an elevation of 2.856m (9,370ft) above the sea level, located in the region of Andalusia, province of Granada, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Driving through Bardenas Reales, one of only a few deserts in Europe
Bardenas Reales is a desert natural region located in southeast Navarre in the northern part of Spain. It’s one of only a few deserts in Europe and is definitely the most impressive of them all.
A brutally steep road to Cumbre del Sol
Cumbre del Sol is a mountain peak at an elevation of 413m (1,354ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Costa Blanca in the municipality of Benitachell, set in the north of the province of Alicante, in Spain. The climb is terrible, with a steepest section at 19%.
Puig Falcó, a brutally steep (20%) unpaved track in the Pyrenees
Puig Falcó is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.754m (9,035 ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Pyrenees, in the province of Lleida and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
The inhumane climb to Coll de Pradell with 23% ramps
Coll de Pradell is an extreme high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.732m (5,682ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Barcelona, in Catalonia, northern Spain. The climb is brutal, with 23% of gradient sections.
A scenic drive to Cap de Creus Lighthouse, an inspiration to Dali
Cap de Creus Lighthouse is located in a peninsula in the Alt Empordà comarca, in the province of Girona, at the far northeast of Catalonia, in northern Spain The nature has created here a scenery that is marvelous and other-worldly. The road pierces crazily tilted rocks and tapers to a single lane leading across a narrow isthmus.
Travel guide to the summit of Cim de Coma Morera
Cim de Coma Morera is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.205m (7,234ft) above the sea level, located on the Spanish-French border. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Spain.
Dare to drive the dangerous Peña Horadada
Peña Horadada is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.350m (7,709ft) above the sea level located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in Southern Spain. It’sone of the highest roads of the country.
Road trip guide: Conquering Lago de Llauset
Llauset dam is a high mountain reservoir located within the Natural Park of Posets-Maladeta, a Natural park located in northern Province of Huesca, Aragón, northeastern Spain, at an elevation of 2.250m (7,381ft) above the sea level. It's one of the highest roads of Spain.
The road to Portillo de Lunada is not recommended to people afraid of heights
Portillo de Lunada is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.360m (4,461ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Cantabria and Castile and León, in Spain. The road is not recommended to people afraid of heights, especially when driving on the cliff side.
The road to Coll de Jou, a chillout in high mountains
Coll de Jou is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.637m (5,370ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Girona and autonomous community of Catalonia, in northern Spain.
C31, a busy coastal road with sharp curves
C31 is a coastal corniche road located in Spain's Catalonia region, southwest of Barcelona. The exciting road, nicknamed Costes del Garraf road, is not suitable for those who get dizzy.
A narrow paved road to Ortzanzurieta
Ortzanzurieta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.570m (5,150ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrenees, a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain. The pass is traversed by the NA-2033 road.
Driving the stunning Pista de Ruego to Minas de Liena
Pista de Ruego is the name of a stunning drive climbing up to the abandoned Minas de Liena, in Aragon, an autonomous community of Spain. It's one of the highest roads of Spain.
The Road to Collado del Ampriu Has it All
Puerto del Ampriu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.261m (7,417ft) above the sea level, located in the Benasque Valley, in the heart of the Pyrenees, in Spain. It's one of the highest mountain roads of the country.
The road to Casielles is the ‘Petit Alpe d’Huez’ with 23 hairpin turns
Casielles is a small ghost town at an elevation of 809m (2,654ft) above the sea level, located in the Asturian council of Ponga, in northern Spain. Be careful: this narrow road is difficult, with 23 hairpin turns.
Road trip guide: Conquering La Villuerca
La Villuerca is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.603m (5,259ft) above the sea level, located in Las Villuercas comarca, Cáceres Province, in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura in Spain.
Llano de las Animas, one of the steepest roads in Europe
Llano de las Animas is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 2.036m (6,679ft) above the sea level, located in the western part of the island of La Palma in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands. The climb is simply brutal, with sections up to 20%.
An iconic road to El Retamar in the Canary Islands
El Retamar is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.100m (6,889ft) above the sea level, located in the south-central part of the island of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands, in Spain.
Driving the challenging paved Road TF-24 on Canary Islands
Located in Tenerife on the Canary Islands, Spain, the gorgeous TF-24 is said to be one of the most exciting drives in the island. It’s one of the highest roads of Spain. It’s an extraterrestrial experience above the clouds. The road is a delight to drive, with every kind of twist and turn.
Road GC-606
Located in the western part of the island of Gran Canaria in the Las Palmas province in the Canary Islands, in Spain, the GC-606 road is one of the most challenging roads in the island. This is not your road if you have passengers that don't like heights. It's spectacular or terrifying, depending on how you handle heights.
Travel guide to Haza del Lino
Haza del Lino is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.280m (4,199ft) above the sea level, located in Granada, a province of southern Spain, in the eastern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia.
The Wild Road to Tuc de la Llança
Tuc de la Llança is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.503m (8,211ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Lleida, autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
The road to Col d’Artzatey is a mule track
Col d’Artzatey is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 662m (2,171ft) above the sea level, located on the Spanish-French border, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
Ruta del Cares
Located within the Picos de Europa mountain range, in northern Spain, Ruta del Cares, also known as Senda del Cares, is one of the most breathtaking trekking trails that can be done in Europe. Be careful if you have vertigo!
The breathtaking road to Peña Ubiña
Peña Ubiña is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.754m (5,754ft) above the sea level, located in the province of León, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, in north-central Spain.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Collado de Orgambide
Col d'Orgambide-Collado de Orgambide is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 992m (3,254ft) above the sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.
Travel Guide to Torreta de l'Orri
Torreta de l'Orri is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.439m (8,001ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Pallars Sobirà, in the province of Lleida, Catalonia, in the country of Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
The breathtaking road to Playa Veneguera
Located in Gran Canaria, one of Spain’s Canary Islands, off northwestern Africa, Playa Veneguera is a 370-metre-long beach, one of the few genuinely untouched beaches remaining in Gran Canaria.
A very bumpy, grueling road to Villavientos Refuge
Refugio Villavientos, also known as Refugio Pillavientos, is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 3.094m (10,150ft) above the sea level, located in the region of Andalucia, in the province of Granada, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
A brutally steep road to Alto de Aitana
Alto de Aitana is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.543m (5,062ft) above the sea level located in the province of Alicante, in the southern part of the Valencian Community in eastern Spain. The summit is placed within the boundaries of a Spanish army facility.
Piedra de San Martín is a drive worth taking
Piedra de San Martín, or Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.760m (5,774ft) above the sea level, located on the France-Spain border in the western Pyrenees in the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques (France) and Navarra (Spain).
A defiant road through Hoces de Vegacervera canyon
Hoces de Vegacervera is an amazing gorge located in the Province of León, in the community autonomous of Castile and León, in Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.