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. 

Alto del Morredero is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.762m (5,780ft) above sea level, located in the province of León, in Spain.

Reaching a staggering elevation of 2,350m (7,709ft) above sea level, Cerro Almirez is a prominent high mountain peak located in the province of Almería, Andalusia. Situated within the protected boundaries of the Sierra Nevada National Park, it represents one of the highest roads in the country, offering a raw, high-altitude experience in the easternmost part of the range.

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.

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%.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Carretera Chera-Sot de Chera (CV-395) is a mountainous road located in the comarca of Requena-Utiel in the Valencian Community, Spain.

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.

Peña del Altar is a high-altitude mountain refuge located at 1,791m (5,875ft) above sea level in the Jaén province of Andalusia, Spain. Situated within the Sierra de la Pandera mountain range, the route to the refuge offers some of the most dramatic views in the south-central part of the country.

Coll d'Ares is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,536m (5,039ft) above sea level, located in the comarca of Noguera, in the province of Lleida, Catalonia. Situated in the heart of the Serra del Montsec, this pass is one of the most iconic balconies over the Pre-Pyrenees of northern Spain.

Foz de Biniés is the name of a very scenic canyon located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, in northern Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

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.

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. 

Sobrón Canyon road is a very scenic drive running through an incredible landscape, on the boundary between the Basque Country and the province of Burgos, an autonomous community of Castile and León, in northwestern Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Santa Bárbara is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.218m (7,276ft) above the sea level, located in southern Spain, in the province of Granada, Andalusia. 

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.

Coll de Rates is a mountain peak at an elevation of 928m (3,044ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Marina Alta, a region in the province of Alicante, in the Valencian Community of Spain.

Cabo Vilán lighthouse is located on the west coast of Galicia, in the Costa da Morte of northwestern Spain. The wind is intense.

Coll d’Honor is a mountain pass at an elevation of 565m (1,853ft) above the sea level, located on the northern part of the island of Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands, Spain.

Hoyo Cerrado is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,144m (7,034ft) above sea level, located in the heart of Spain. Situated within the Sierra de Guadarrama (part of the Central System), the pass sits on the rugged border between the provinces of Madrid and Segovia. 

Ibon de Asnos is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.135m (7,004ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Pyrenees, in northeastern Spain in the province of Huesca. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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 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.

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.

Portarró d'Espot is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.430m (7,972ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in the autonomous community of Catalonia, northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

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.

Located in the northeastern corner of the province of Zamora, in northern Spain, Laguna de los Peces (Lake of Fishes) is a stunning glacier lake sitting at an elevation of 1,725m (5,659ft) above sea level. This high-altitude destination in the Montes de León mountain range is a terminal point for drivers seeking some of the most dramatic landscapes within the Sanabria Lake Natural Park.

Tuca Blanca is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.236m (7,335ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Pyrenees, in northeastern Spain in the province of Huesca. 

Pista de la Estiva is the name of a stunning drive through the mountains, in Aragon, an autonomous community of Spain. It’s a great drive with exceptional views.

Port de Filià is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.404m (7,887ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in Catalonia, Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Alto de la Tornería is a mountain pass at an elevation of 469m (1,538ft) above the sea level, located in the province and autonomous community of Asturias, in northern Spain. With very dangerous curves, this route offers some amazing scenery in un-spoilt countryside and is well worth doing.

Monte Naranco, also known as Alto del Naranco, is a mountain pass at an elevation of 634m (2,080ft) above sea level, located in the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain. This iconic climb is a landmark of the city of Oviedo and offers one of the most famous panoramic views in the region.

Alto de la Sagra is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.764m (5,787ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Granada, Spain.

Coll de Laquell is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,162m (7,093ft) above sea level, located in the province of Lleida, Catalonia. Situated in northern Spain, very close to the border with Andorra, this pass is a hidden gem for off-roaders in the Pyrenees.

Puerto de Mosqueruela is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.512m (4,960ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain.

Pla de Beret is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 1.881m (3,027ft) above the sea level, located In Val d’Aran Valley, Catalonia, in northern Spain. The view on the mountains is unique.

Located in the Province of Zaragoza, in the community autonomous of Aragón, in Spain, the road through Mesa Canyon is a very scenic drive. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.