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. 

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.

Ermita de Santa Lucia is a small church at an elevation of 312m (1,023ft) above the sea level, located in Castelló, a province in the northern part of the Valencian Community, Spain. The climb is simply brutal, with sections up to 20%.

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. 

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.

Puerto del Pinar is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.660m (5,446ft) above the sea level,  located in the province of Granada, Spain.

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.

Puerto de Fortanete is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.809m (5,935ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain.

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.

Pleta de Comabella is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.148m (7,047ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Berguedà, in Catalonia, Spain. 

El Travieso is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.858m (6,095ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Salamanca, Castile and León, Spain.

Refugi Malniu is a high mountain hut at an elevation of 2.131m (6,991ft) above the sea level, located in the Catalan comarca of Cerdanya, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, northern Spain. 

Collada del Sarset is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.126m (6,975ft) above the sea level, located on the Andorra (Sant Julià de Lòria) and Spain (Lleida) border.

Collado de las Yeguas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.859m (9,379ft) above the sea level, located in the region of Andalusia, province of Granada, in Spain.

Refugio Casetón de Ándara is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.720m (5,643ft) above the sea level, located in the Cantabrian Mountains, in the autonomous community of Cantabria, northern Spain. The route is not for the sissies and shouldn’t be attempted by novice drivers.

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.

Les Marmotes is a high-altitude destination at an elevation of 2,502m (8,208ft) above sea level, located in the heart of the Pyrenees in the province of Girona, Catalonia. Reaching this point, situated within the Camprodon Valley, requires navigating a brutal service road that climbs through the Vallter 2000 ski resort. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Pico de Turbón is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.052m (6,732ft) above the sea level, located in the county of Ribagorza, in the province of Huesca, in Aragon, Spain.

Located in the Valencian Community, the CV-794 road is said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the country. It is very busy by motorists on weekends, as it has some curves without excessive traffic.

Carretera CV-200 is a very challenging road located in eastern Spain, in the province of Castellón, part of the autonomous community of Valencia.

Hoz del Júcar is the name of a very scenic drive running through an incredible landscape located in Albacete province, in the southern part of the autonomous community of Castile–La Mancha, in central Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Muntanya dels Estanyets is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.334m (7,657ft) above the sea level located in Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Tossal d'Engrilló is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.072m (3,517ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Terra Alta, in the province of Tarragona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain.

Puntal de la Misa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.754m (5,754ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Jaén, in Andalusia, Spain. A 4WD vehicle with high clearance and an experienced driver are required. The road is very steep, with sections up to 20%. It’s one of the wildest drives in the country.

Valdezcaray is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.553m (5,095ft) above the sea level, located in the southwest La Rioja, an autonomous region of northern Spain. The maximum slope is 14 %.

The A-1702, widely known as "The Silent Route," is an asphalt wrinkle that runs through a land marked by mystery and solitude. Spanning 63 kilometers between the Venta de la Pintada (Gargallo) and the Puerto de Cuarto Pelado (Cantavieja) in Teruel, this road offers a captivating journey through a landscape that remains almost untouched by time. It is a territory of solitary farmhouses (masías), narrow paths carved in stone, and villages that cling to cliffs in impossible positions.

Portal de Picos is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.854m (6,082ft) above the sea level located in Northern Spain, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. At the summit there are several facilities and buildings.

Alto Mirador de Veixia is a mountain pass at an elevation of 600m (1,968ft) above the sea level located in the province of A Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain.

Estany de Sallente is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.765m (5,790ft) above the sea level, located in La Vall Fosca, in Lleida, Spain.

Cim Fontcalda is a mountain pass at an elevation of 488m (1,601ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Tarragona, southern Catalonia, in northern Spain.

Refugio Ventura is an abandoned mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.105m (6,906ft) above the sea level, located in Granada province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. 

Congosto de Olvena is the name of a very scenic drive running through an incredible landscape located in Huesca province, in the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Puerto de Vegarada-Riopinos is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.658m (5,439ft) above the sea level, located in the province of León, Castile and León, Spain.

Puerto de Cabigordo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.602m (5,255ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain.

Punta Malacara is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.137m (7,011ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Pyrenees, in northeastern Spain in the province of Huesca. 

Puerto de la Bobia is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.103m (3,618ft) above the sea level, located  in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. The climb is brutal, with sections up to 20%.

Located in the northern reaches of the Community of Madrid, the Puerto de la Puebla is a high mountain pass that stands at an elevation of 1,636m (5,367ft) above sea level. Situated within the Sierra del Lobosillo mountain range, this pass is one of the most secluded and authentic driving experiences in Central Spain, far from the crowded routes of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

Montcaubó is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.293m (7,522ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of the Pallars Sobirà in Catalonia, Spain. 

Collet de Les Barraques is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.900m (6,233ft) above the sea level, located in Girona, Catalonia, Spain.

Alto El Rey is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.858m (6,095ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Guadalajara, Castile-La Mancha, Spain.

Nuevo Mundo is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.115m (6,938ft) above the sea level, located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. 

Puig Neulós is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.251m (4,104ft) above the sea level, located between France and Spain. The average gradient is 10.55%.

Pico de las Tres Güegas is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.240m (7,349ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Huesca, Aragón, in northeast Spain, near the French border. 

Refugi de Prat Aguiló "Cèsar August Torras" is a mountain hut at an elevation of 2.000m (6,561ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Cerdanya, Catalonia, in northern Spain near the French border.

The Camino de Santiago is one of the oldest and most complex road networks in Europe. Originally designed for pilgrims on foot, these routes now cross modern highways, rural tracks, and mountain passes. Managing the logistics of a journey here—whether as a walker or a support vehicle driver—requires a deep understanding of the terrain and the specific safety protocols for shared roads. This guide analyzes the infrastructure and the logistical preparation needed to navigate these iconic Spanish and European routes.

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