What are the most spectacular roads in Spain?

Tucked away on the Iberian Peninsula, in the southwestern part of Europe, the roads of Spain offer the best way to discover the country’s diverse topography that features mountain roads, even the highest paved road of Europe, as well as stunning coastal drives on the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.

The country is home to Pico del Veleta, the highest paved road of Europe. Ending at 3,369m (11,053ft) above sea level, it's one of the highest roads in Europe. At an altitude of around 3,000m, road conditions become significantly worse. For those seeking mountain roads, Alto de l’Angliru is the Ultimate Cycling Ascent in Asturias. Climbing up to 1.558m (5,111ft) above sea level, it’s one of the hardest and most epic climbs you can ride on two wheels.

If you’re up for a drive on scenic roads, Mallorca hosts 2 stunning drives: The sensational road to Formentor Lighthouse, and Sa Calobra, the Snake Road. Located on the island of Mallorca, in Spain, Sa Calobra Road is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Imagine dropping a long piece of wet spaghetti on the floor. The pattern it makes looks something like what the road looks. If you really want a challenge, try tackling it by bike. On the Canary Island,GC-200 is an exhilarating road with 365 curves and spectacular views. The road has it all, from hairpin bends to sheer cliff-edge drops. It's one of the best roads on the Canary Islands.

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

Desfiladero de La Yecla is a narrow canyon located in the province of Burgos, in the northeastern part of the autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain.

Estanho de Vilac is a high mountain lake with an influence of Atlantic climate at an elevation of 1.642m (5,387ft) above the sea level, located in the Val d'Aran, a valley in the Pyrenees mountains in the northwestern part of the province of Lleida, in Catalonia, northern Spain. The average gradient is 8.85%.

Cap de Vaques is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.312m (7,585ft) 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 the country.

Collado Ordes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.147m (3,763ft) above the sea level, located in the Picos de Europa mountain range, in region of Asturias, northern Spain. The average gradient is brutal: 14.64% with 31 hairpin turns.

Coll de Melanell is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.971m (6,466ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Girona, Catalonia, in north-eastern Spain, near the French border.

Refugio Postero Alto is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.887m (6,190ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Granada, in the region of Andalucia, in southern Spain.

Cap del Verd is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.285m (7,496ft) above the sea level, located in the northwest of the comarca of Berguedà in Catalonia, northern Spain.

Collado de la Mina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.024m (6,640ft) above the sea level, located in southern Spain, in the province of Granada, Andalusia.

Puerto de la Mata is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.670m (5,479ft) above the sea level, located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in southern Spain. The road to the summit is steep, hitting an 18%.

Pico del Relojero is a mountain peak at an elevation of 600m (1,968ft) above the sea level, located in the Region of Murcia, an autonomous community of Spain. The climb is brutal, with sections up to 15%.

Pista del Marroquí is the name of an abandoned cliff road located in Ourense, in the Galicia region of north-west Spain.

Cerro del Jabinar is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.847m (6,059ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Castile and León and Community of Madrid, in Spain.

CV800 is a very scenic (and delightful) drive located in the southeast of Valencian Community, in Spain.

Punta Alvarosa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.023m (6,637ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain.

Mirador de Sierra Alta is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 1.840m (6,036ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain.

Puerto de Arcones is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.830m (6,003ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Castile and León and Community of Madrid, in Spain.

Coll de Port is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.671m (5,482ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of the Solsonès in the Province of Lleida, Catalonia, in north-eastern Spain.

Running through the natural beauty of La Rioja, a Spanish autonomous community, Ruta de los Tres Valles (Route of the Three Valleys) is the name of one of the most intense yet scenic drives in the country.

Cerro de la Escusa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.952m (6,404ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Ávila, Castile and León, Spain.

Cañon del Rio Cares is a very scenic canyon located in the province and autonomous community of Asturias, in Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Puerto de la Acebeda is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.690m (5,544ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Castile and León and Community of Madrid, in Spain.

Cerrada de la Magdalena is a very exciting journey located along the sunny slopes of Sierra de Cazorla and north of the province of Granada, in Spain. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with dangerous dropoffs.

Alto de Calabazosa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.691m (5,547ft) above the sea level, located located on the South of the Principality of Asturias, in northern Spain.

Alto de Gredos is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.768m (5,800ft) above the sea level, located in the south of the province of Ávila, Castile and León, Spain.

Refugi de Boumort is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.886m (6,187ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Pallars Jussà, province of Lleida, Catalonia, in northern Spain.

Pico La Mirandiella is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.570m (5,150ft) above the sea level, located in the province and autonomous community of Asturias, in northern Spain. The climb is simply brutal: 11.68%.

Collada de les Tores is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.000m (6,561ft) above the sea level, located in the northwest of the comarca of Berguedà in Catalonia, Spain.

Coll de Caralt is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.065m (6,774ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca Alt Urgell, Lleida, Catalonia, in north-eastern Spain, near the French border.

Puerto de Piedrafita is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.687m (5,534ft) above the sea level, located on the border of the autonomous community of Castile and León and the Principality of Asturias, in northwest Spain.

Dating back to Mediaeval times, Camino de Santiago is a world-renowned route network used by pilgrims. While the oldest and most established routes are primarily located in Spain, there are also many across other European countries, including Norway, Italy, the UK and so on. With an increased popularity in walking holidays among travellers, the most loved Camino de Santiago routes are easy to name - but how do you choose which one is the best for you? Here’s what you need to know. 

Refugio-Vivac el Doctor is a high mountain shelter at an elevation of 2.025m (6,643ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Almería, in the region of Andalucia, southern Spain.

Puerto Linera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.835m (6,020ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Castile and León and Community of Madrid, in Spain.

Collado la Gitana is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.714m (5,623ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Granada, in the region of Andalucia, southern Spain.

Collado de la Espina is a mountain pass at an elevation of 968m (3,175ft) above the sea level, located in the Autonomous Community of Cantabria, in northern Spain. It’s one of the steepest roads that a Spanish bike race has ever tackled where you directly ride against uphill over a huge rock. The climb is brutal: up to 31%.

La Merica is a mountain peak at an elevation of 817m (2,680ft) above the sea level, located in the western part of the island La Gomera, in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands, Spain.

Jabalcuz is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.610m (5,282ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Jaén in the autonomous community of Andalusia in south-central Spain.

Coll de Mola is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.821m (5,974ft) above the sea level, located in the northwest of the comarca of Berguedà in Catalonia, Spain.

Puerto del Cubillo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.617m (5,305ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Cuenca, Castile-La Mancha, Spain.

Puerto de Cienfuegos is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.674m (5,492ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of the province and autonomous community of Asturias and Leon province, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, in northern Spain.

Located in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia, in northwestern Spain, Miradoiro do Limo is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 373m (1,223ft) above the sea level.

Braña de Vega La Cueva is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.467m (4,812ft) above the sea level, located on the South of the Principality of Asturias, in northern Spain.

Mina de Ventana (Window Mine) is an old mine at an elevation of 1.699m (5,574ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Principado de Asturias and Castilla y León, in northern Spain.

Collado del Alamo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.729m (5,672ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Granada, in the region of Andalucia, southern Spain.

Collado de los Cadavales is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.351m (4,432ft) above the sea level, located in the autonomous community of Asturias, in northern Spain.

Montduver is a mountain peak at an elevation of 831m (2,726ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Safor in the Valencian Community, Spain.