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. 

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%.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

The Carretera de Fontalba is one of the highest driveable tracks in the eastern Pyrenees. Rising to an elevation of 2,071m (6,794ft) above sea level in the Ripollès region of Catalonia, this 11.3-kilometer gravel route is the primary access point to the foot of the Puigmal. While often described as being in good condition, the reality for any driver is a sustained climb on loose surfaces where the lack of asphalt and the constant vertical exposure define the experience.

Beyond its famous beaches, Mallorca hides some of the most technical and scenic mountain roads in the Mediterranean. The Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, acts as a cathedral for driving enthusiasts, offering a mix of high-altitude engineering, dizzying coastal drops, and perfect asphalt. From the iconic "Tie Knot" to the wild northern cliffs, here is the ultimate selection for your Mallorcan road trip.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Located just north of Oviedo, the ascent to Alto del Naranco is more than just a city bypass; it is a sustained climb into the history of Asturias. Reaching an elevation of 634m (2,080ft) above sea level, the road—officially the AS-232—is a constant winding track that offers no rest for the vehicle's steering system. It is a drive where the urban density of the Asturian capital quickly gives way to steep limestone slopes and high-altitude monuments.

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.

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.

Located in the Ribagorza county, within the province of Huesca, Pico de Turbón is a mountain peak at an elevation of 2,052m (6,732ft) above sea level. Situated in the Aragonese Pre-Pyrenees, the road is an unpaved mountain track that provides access to the Refugio del Turbón and the upper limestone massifs of the range.

Located in the northern tip of the province of Granada, the ascent to Alto de la Sagra (popularly known as Puerto de la Losa) is a journey through one of the most rugged and isolated landscapes in Andalusia. Reaching an elevation of 1,764m (5,787ft) above sea level, the road—designated as the A-4301—is a technical nightmare for vehicles with poor suspension. It is a route where the limestone mass of La Sagra dominates a horizon of broken asphalt and high-altitude silence.

Pic de l’Àliga (also known as Puig de l’Àliga) is a prominent mountain peak at an elevation of 460m (1,509ft) above sea level, situated on the border of the Alt Penedès and Garraf comarcas in Catalonia, Spain. Located within the rugged Garraf Massif, part of the Catalan Coastal Range, the summit serves as a key fire lookout point (Eagle Hill) and offers one of the most expansive panoramic views in the province of Barcelona.

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.

La Raca is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.271m (7,450ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Pyrenees, in northeastern Spain in the province of Huesca. 

Mas de la Costa is a mountain pass at an elevation of 980m (3,215ft) above the sea level located in the comarca of Alcalatén, province of Castellon, Valencian Community, Spain. It’s said to be one of the Spain's toughest cycling climbs.

Alto de la Ermita del Alba is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.150m (3,772ft) above the sea level, located in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. The climb is brutal with ramps well into the 20% range and the last 2kms are incredibly steep.

Estany Negre is a high mountain glacial lake at an elevation of 2.323m (7,621ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Pyrenees, in the comarca of the Pallars Sobirà in Catalonia, Spain. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Reaching the Refugio Casetón de Ándara is a journey into the heart of the Macizo Oriental of Picos de Europa. At 1,720m (5,643ft) above sea level, this high-altitude shelter in Cantabria sits at the end of a raw, unforgiving track. It’s not just a mountain road; it’s a relic of the old mining industry that once dominated these peaks. Today, it serves as a brutal test for 4x4 vehicles and drivers who aren't afraid of sharp stones and vertical drops.

Refugi Cap del Rec is a high mountain shelter at an elevation of 1.986m (6,515ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Girona, Catalonia, northern Spain.

Located on the northeast coast of Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands of Spain, FV-1A is the name of a stunning road through Dunas de Corralejo, a massive expanse of golden sand dunes near sprawling beaches.

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