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. 

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.

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.

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.

Alto de Capileira is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.436m (4,711ft) above the sea level, located in the southern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range known as the Alpujarras, in the province of Granada, in 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.

Circo de Gavarnie is a large rock amphitheater, at an elevation of 1.690m (5,544 ft) above the sea level, located within the commune of Gavarnie, in the Pyrenees National Park, on the border of France and Spain. The road is totally closed to vehicles.

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.

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. It’sone of the highest roads of the country.

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.

Variant de Vilafranca is a short stretch of the N-340 highway, located near Vilafranca del Penedès, the capital of the comarca of the Alt Penedès in Catalonia, Spain. The road is a famous widow maker: 45 people were killed in road accidents between 2000 and 2015.

Chanajiga is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.186m (3,891ft) above the sea level, located on the northern part of the island of Tenerife, which forms part of the Canary Islands, Spain. The climb is simply terrible with sections up to 30%.

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.

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.

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.

Cerro Almirez is a high mountain peak 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’s one of the highest roads of the country.

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. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Coll de Finestres is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.392m (7,847ft) above the sea level, located on the Andorra (Sant Julià de Lòria) and Spain (Lleida) border.

Cap de Baqueira is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.467m (8,093ft) 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. It's one of the highest roads of the country. 

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.

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.

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.

Observatorio Astronómico del Teide is an astronomical observatory at an elevation of 2.397m (7,864ft) above the sea level, located in Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of Spain.

Pas de la Mainera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.134m (7,001ft) above the sea level, located in Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Coll d'Ares is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.536m (5,039ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of the Noguera in the province of Lleida, near to the border with Aragón, in Catalonia, northern Spain.

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.

Coll d'Espot is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.233m (7,326ft) above the sea level located in Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Puerto de Valdelinares is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,837m (6,026ft) above sea level, located in the province of Teruel, in Spain.

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.

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.

Júcar cliff canyon is the name of a very challenging drive located in the Valencian Community of Spain. Be careful: this road is not for the sissies. One mistake can have consequences. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Port de Fontalba is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.071m (6,794ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of the Ripollès in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. It’s a very steep road, with sections up to 9%.

Collado Venta Luisa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.970m (6,463ft) above the sea level, located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain.

Hoyo Cerrado is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.144m (7,034ft) 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. It’s one of the highest roads of Spain.

Collado de la Cruz de Guardia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.202m (7,224ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. It's one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Cabeza de Manzaneda is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.751m (5,744ft) above the sea level, located in eastern province of Ourense in the Galicia region of north-west Spain.

Puerto de Villarroya is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.700m (5,577ft) above the sea level, located in the Maestrazgo comarca, province of Teruel, Aragon, 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.

Puig de Fontlletera is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.401m (7,877ft) above the sea level, located in Girona, Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Located in the Principality of Asturias, an autonomous community in north-west Spain, the AS-260 road is said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the country. Through the drive is a viewpoint called the Mirador del Fito, which offers an incredible view of the ocean, valleys and the Picos de Europa in the distance.

Alto del Golobar is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.778m (5,833ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Palencia, autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain.

Collado del Alguacil is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.896m (6,220ft) above the sea level, in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, located in the Spanish Autonomous Region of Andalusia. The climb is simply terrible, going up to 20% gradients.

Refugio Peña Del Altar is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.791m (5,875ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Jaén in the autonomous community of Andalusia in south-central Spain.

Monte Faro lighthouse is located on the Cíes Islands, an archipelago off the coast of Pontevedra in Galicia (Spain). The track is for 4x4 vehicles only. Closed to private vehicles. The road to the summit includes 10 steep hairpin turns.

Los Portillinos is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.957m (6,420ft) above sea level, located in the province of León, in Spain.

Coll de la Portella is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.269m (7,444ft) above the sea level, located in Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

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