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. It features mountain roads, even the highest paved road in 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 in the European continent. 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 two stunning drives: the sensational road to Formentor Lighthouse and Sa Calobra, the Snake Road. Located on the island of Mallorca, 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 Islands, 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.
Driving the wild road to Llano de las Ovejas in Castile and Leon
Llano de las Ovejas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,961m (6,433ft) above sea level, located in the province of León, in Spain.
Dare to drive the dangerous road to Peña Horadada in the Sierra Nevada
Peña Horadada is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,350m (7,709ft) above sea level, located in Almería province, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.
How to drive the challenging access road to Pico del Teide?
Located on the island of Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands, Pico del Teide is Spain's highest peak, an iconic volcano. It’s said to be the third-tallest volcano in the world measured from its base on the ocean floor. A minor unpaved road, on its eastern side, tops out at 2,743m (8,999ft) above sea level.
A brutally steep (20%) unpaved track to Puig Falcó in the Pyrenees
Puig Falcó is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,754m (9,035 ft) above sea level, located in the province of Lleida, Spain.
Driving the Stunning Pista de Ruego to Minas de Liena
Pista de Ruego is the name of a stunning track climbing up to the abandoned Minas de Liena, in Aragon, an autonomous community of Spain. It's one of the highest roads in Spain.
The road to Portillo de Lunada is not recommended for people afraid of heights
Portillo de Lunada is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,360 m (4,461 ft) above sea level, located on the boundary of Cantabria and Castile and León, in Spain. The road is not recommended for people afraid of heights, especially when driving on the cliff side.
How to drive the narrow AV-932 road to Puerto de Peñanegra?
Puerto de Peñanegra is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,909m (6,263ft) above sea level, located in the province of Ávila, Castile and León. Logistically, the pass is a primary link between the Corneja Valley and the Sierra de Gredos massif. The route follows the AV-932 road, characterized by its narrow cross-section and technical demand for heavy vehicle cooling systems during the sustained ascent.
A brutally steep road to Alto de Aitana in Alicante
Alto de Aitana is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,543m (5,062ft) above sea level located in the province of Alicante, in Spain. The summit is placed within the boundaries of a Spanish army facility.
An Impressive Climb to Fonte da Cova
Alto Fonte da Cova is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,850m (6,069ft) above sea level, located on the border between Galicia and Castile and León, in Spain. It is an impressive climb by any standards.
Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera road: Driving to the world’s shortest border
Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera is a unique Spanish enclave located on the northern coast of Morocco. Once an island, it became a peninsula in 1934 after a massive storm created a natural sand bridge. Today, it is famous for holding the world’s shortest international border—a mere 85-meter-long sandy isthmus that connects the massive Spanish rock to the Moroccan shore.
Estany Llong: Driving the restricted 4x4 track in Aigüestortes
Estany Llong is a high-altitude glacial lake situated at 2,012m (6,601ft) above sea level in the province of Lleida, Catalonia. Located in the heart of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, the road to the lake is a highly technical mountain track. Unlike standard Pyrenean passes, this route is a restricted service road where the combination of steep concrete sections and broken gravel creates a demanding environment for high-clearance 4x4 vehicles.
The Road to Collado del Ampriu in the Pyrenees Has It All
Collado del Ampriu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,261m (7,417ft) above sea level, located in the province of Huesca, in Spain.
The Rugged 4x4 Track to Peña Ubiña: Reaching Collado del Terreros
Peña Ubiña is one of the most iconic peaks of the Cantabrian Mountains, standing at 2,417m (7,930ft). While the summit is only accessible on foot, a challenging high-mountain dirt track climbs the southern slopes from the village of Torrebarrio (León). This road reaches the Collado del Terreros, a mountain pass at 1,754m (5,754ft) that serves as the gateway to the massive limestone cliffs of the Ubiña Massif.
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 sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.
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 sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.
Road Trip Guide: Conquering Llauset Lake in Aragon
Lago de Llauset is a high mountain reservoir located in the Province of Huesca, in Spain, at an elevation of 2,250m (7,381ft) above sea level.
A very bumpy, grueling road to Villavientos Refuge in Andalucia
Refugio Villavientos is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 3,094m (10,150ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.
Puerto de la Sia is a classic climb in the Cantabrian Mountains
Puerto de la Sia is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.229m (4,032ft) above sea level, located in Spain.
How to Get by Car to the Stunning Veneguera Beach on Canary Islands?
Playa Veneguera is a very comfortable beach for swimming, 370 meters long, located in Gran Canaria, one of Spain’s Canary Islands, off northwestern Africa.
The Road Through Boca del Infierno in Huesca is One of the World's Top Drives
Boca del Infierno (Mouth of Hell) is a defiant canyon located in the province of Huesca, in Spain. It is one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.
An Iconic Paved Road to El Retamar in the Canary Islands
El Retamar is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,100m (6,889ft) above sea level, located on the Canary Islands, in Spain.
How to Get by Car to Hoces de Vegacervera Canyon in Leon?
Hoces de Vegacervera is an amazing gorge located in the Province of León, in Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads in Spain. Be careful and drive slowly, as the road is narrow and winding.
The Inhumane Climb to Coll de Pradell in Catalonia, with 23% Ramps
Coll de Pradell is an extreme high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,732m (5,682ft) above sea level, located in the province of Barcelona, Spain. The climb is brutal, with 23% gradient sections.
Road trip guide: Conquering La Villuerca in Extremadura
La Villuerca is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,603m (5,259ft) above sea level, located in Cáceres Province, in Spain.
The Road to Coll de Jou is a Chillout in the Pyrenees
Coll de Jou is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,637m (5,370ft) above sea level, located in the province of Girona, in Spain.
The brutally steep road to Monte Oiz in the Basque Country
Monte Oiz is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,026 m (3,366 ft) above sea level, located in the autonomous community of Basque Country, Spain. The climb is simply terrible, hitting 20% gradients. The climb is known for its half-asphalt, half-concrete surface and irregular ramps.
Piedra de San Martín is a drive worth taking
Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin (Piedra de San Martín) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,760 m (5,774 ft) above sea level, located on the French-Spanish border. It’s one of only five roads with pigtails (nudo de corbata) in Spain.
A narrow paved road to Ortzanzurieta
Ortzanzurieta is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,570m (5,150ft) above sea level, located in Navarre, in Spain.
Pont sobre el riu Segre: a concrete bridge
Located in the Lleida province, in Spain's northeastern Catalonia region, the bridge over the Segre river is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Driving a Fabulous Cliff Road with Panoramic Views to Mirador Del Rio in Lanzarote
Mirador Del Rio is a very scenic viewpoint at an elevation of 473m (1,551ft) above sea level, located in the northernmost part of the Canarian island of Lanzarote. It’s a fabulous cliff road affording panoramic views.
How to Get by Car to the Summit of Torreta de l'Orri in Lleida?
Torreta de l'Orri is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,439m (8,001ft) above sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.
Travel guide to Haza del Lino in Andalusia
Haza del Lino is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.280m (4,199ft) above sea level, located in Granada, in Spain.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Collado de Orgambide
Collado de Orgambide is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 992m (3,254ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.
Alto de la Farrapona is a Cycling Must
Alto de la Farrapona is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,708m (5,603ft) above sea level, located in Spain. The pass has already made a name for itself.
The Wild Road to Collado de Basibe in the Pyrenees
Collado de Basibé is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,353 m (7,719 ft) above sea level, located in the province of Huesca, in Spain. It's one of the highest roads in the country.
Puerto de Navacerrada
Puerto de Navacerrada is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.860m (6,102ft) above the sea level, located in the Sierra de Guadarrama, on the border of Castile and Leon and Madrid, in central Spain.
How to drive the brutally steep road to Cerro del Moro
Cerro del Moro is a mountain peak at an elevation of 914m (2,998ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Málaga, in Spain. A demanding climb and descent, the views from the top are spectacular!
A curvy paved road to Puerto de Pandetrave in Leon
Puerto de Pandetrave is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,562m (5,124ft) above sea level, located in the province of León, in Spain.
Puerto de Palombera is an Absolute Must for Road Lovers
Puerto de Palombera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,260 m (4,133 ft) above sea level, located in the autonomous community of Cantabria, in Spain.
Driving Coll de Soller: a thrilling road experience with 52 hairpin turns in Mallorca
Coll de Soller is a mountain pass at an elevation of 508m (1,666ft) above sea level, located on the island of Mallorca, in Spain. This hugely enjoyable and memorable road is a ‘must-climb’ for every cyclist visiting Mallorca.
Driving the Ghost Highway of Madrid: The MP-203
Have you ever heard of ghost infrastructure? These are large projects that were planned for a specific purpose, cost a lot of money, but for some reason never saw use. In Madrid, one of these abandoned works exists: the MP-203, a ghost highway where not a single car has ever driven.
Conquering Collado El Lobo in Sierra Nevada
Located in the heart of the Sierra Nevada National Park, Collado El Lobo is one of the most extreme geographical points in the Iberian Peninsula. Reaching a staggering elevation of 3,115m (10,219ft) above sea level, this mountain pass sits on the high-altitude track known as the Camino de los Franceses. It is a place defined by thin air, shifting shale, and a legislative protection that has turned what was once a vehicle road into a legendary challenge for high-altitude logistics.
How to drive the steep A-4030 Road to Alto de Hazallanas in Andalusia?
Alto de Hazallanas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,994m (6,541ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada, Spain. The climb includes gradients in double figures for long stretches, and the inside of the hairpins regularly exceeds 20%.
What are the 5 longest road tunnels in Spain?
In a country as mountainous as Spain, tunnels are not just engineering feats; they are essential links that make travel possible. These massive structures allow drivers to cut through the heart of the Pyrenees or the Cantabrian Range, avoiding high mountain passes that are often blocked by snow or plagued by endless hairpins.
Carretera Vieja (TF-28 Road)
TF-28, nicknamed as Carretera Vieja (the Old road) is one of the most iconic drives on the island of Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands.