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. 

Located in the comarca of Canal de Navarrés in the Valencian Community, Spain, the road to reach the hydroelectric power station is asphalted but ends abruptly in a river.

GIP-6041 is one of the most scenic roads on the Catalan Costa Brava, in Spain. The road inland offers lovely views of the region.

Lagunas de Neila is a high mountain glacial lake at an elevation of 1.873m (6,145ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Burgos, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, in north-central Spain. The climb is very steep, with sections up to 17%.

Puerto del Escudo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.011m (3,317ft) above the sea level, located in the valley of Luena, between Cantabria and Castile, in Spain. It has several parts of double-digit gradients.

Observatorio de Sierra Nevada (OSN) is a high mountain observatory at an elevation of 2.885m (9,465ft) above the sea level, located in the region of Andalusia, province of Granada, in Spain. 

Refugio Poqueira is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.501m (8,205ft) 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 the country.

Puerto de Ventana is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.587m (5,206ft) above the sea level, located in the Cordillera Cantábrica, a mountain range in northern Spain.

Col du Portillon-Coll de Portilló is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,293 m (4,242 ft) above sea level, located on the border of Spain and France.

Alto de la Cruz de la Demanda is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.855m (6,085ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Castile and León and La Rioja regions, in northwestern Spain.

La Trapa is an ancient monastery located on the south-west coast of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands of Spain. If you're afraid of heights, it's probably best to keep your eyes forward.

Pista de Chía is the name of a very challenging high mountain road located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain. The journey offers stunning views.

Puerto de la Morcuera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.796m (5,892ft) above the sea level, located in the northern area of the autonomous Community of Madrid, in central Spain.

Puerto El Madroño is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.063m (3,487ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain.

Pico de Cabañas is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.943m (6,374ft) above the sea level, located in Jaén, a province of southern Spain, in the eastern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia.

Pedró dels Quatre Batlles is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.387m (7,831ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Lleida and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Reaching an elevation of 1,911m (6,269ft) above sea level, Cerro Gatón is one of the most prominent peaks in the Sierra de la Demanda, located in the autonomous community of La Rioja, Spain. The road to the summit is a demanding mountain track that offers a wild, high-altitude experience, far removed from the paved regional networks.

Laguna Seca is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.283m (7,490ft) above the sea level located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in Southern Spain. 

Puerto de Cotefablo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.423m (4,668ft) above the sea level, located in northeastern Spain in the province of Huesca, near the Pyrenees and the border with France

Coll del Cintó is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.889m (6,197ft) above the sea level, located in Lleida province, Spain.

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

Collado de las Sabinas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.136m (7,007ft) above the sea level, located in Sierra Nevada mountain range, in the province of Granada, Spain.

Cirque de Gavarnie is a large rock amphitheater at an elevation of 1,690m (5,544ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France.

Located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, in northern Spain, Congosto de Obarra is a narrow canyon formed by the Isabena River. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Sil Canyon Road is a loop drive located in the Province of Ourense, in the heart of the region of Galicia in northern Spain. The road runs along the Sil River and Santo Estevo dam.

Puerto del Connio is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.315m (4,314ft) above the sea level, located in Fuentes del Narcea, in the Principality of Asturias, in northern Spain.

Collada de Conflent (also known as Coll de Conglens) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,177m (7,142ft) above sea level, located in the central Pyrenees, in Catalonia, Spain. This pass is a key point on the legendary Ruta dels Contrabandistes (Smugglers' Route), a track that historically allowed locals to travel between Os de Civís and the rest of the Alt Urgell region without entering Andorran territory.

Alto de la Cruz is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.475m (4,839ft) above sea level, located in the province of León, in Spain.

Rasos de Peguera is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.897m (6,223ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Barcelona, in Spain. The road is not easy, though. Up, down, right, left all the time.

Pico Gallinero is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,613m (8,572ft) above sea level, located in the province of Huesca, Spain. It features one of the highest roads in the country.

Located in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia, in northwestern Spain, Road DP-2205 (nicknamed ‘The Cliff Road’) is a very scenic drive. Not recommended if you have passengers that don't like heights.

La Polarda is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.143m (7,030ft) above the sea level located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in Southern Spain. 

Alto de la Marta is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.105m (3,625ft) above the sea level, located in northwestern Asturias, Spain. The steep road includes 15% and 18% sections.

Estany de la Coma d'Amitges is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.382m (7,814ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrenees, in Catalonia, Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Puerto de Montenegro, also known as Puerto de las Viniegras, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.582m (5,190ft) above the sea level, located in the midst of the Iberian System mountains, on the border between the provinces of La Rioja and Soria, in Spain.

Puerto de Malagosto is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.931m (6,335ft) above the sea level, located in the Sierra de Guadarrama (mountain range of the Central System), on the edge of the Spanish provinces of Madrid and Segovia, in the central part of the country.

Ruta Jubierre is a very scenic offroad experience in the Monegros comarca province of Huesca, Aragon, in northeastern Spain.

Located in the county of Ribagorza, in the province of Huesca, Aragon, in northern Spain, Congosto de Ventamillo is a limestone canyon. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Cerro El Buitre is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.466m (8,090ft) above the sea level located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in Southern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Puerto de Piqueras is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.710m (5,610ft) above the sea level, located in the La Rioja region of northern Spain.

Alto de La Camperona is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.597m (5,239ft) above the sea level located in the province of León, Castile and León, in north-western Spain.

The Observatorio Astronómico del Teide is not just a world-class scientific site; it is one of the most spectacular driving destinations in Spain. Perched at an elevation of 2,397m (7,864ft) above sea level on the island of Tenerife, it is one of the highest roads in the country, offering drivers the sensation of traveling through a lunar landscape far above the Atlantic clouds.

Collada de la Gallina is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,912m (6,272ft) above sea level, located on the border between Spain and Andorra. It is a very demanding climb.

Estanys de la Pera is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.363m (7,752ft) above the sea level located in Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Ardibide is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.457m (4,780ft) above the sea level, located in the autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. The climb is simply brutal, with sections up to 30%.

Coll de Josa is high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.633m (5,357ft) above the sea level, located in the northwest of the comarca of Berguedà in Catalonia, Spain.

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