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 de Cazorla is a mountain pass at an elevation of 930m (3,051ft) above the sea level located in the province of Jaén in Spain's autonomous community of Andalusia.

Carretera CV700 is a challenging mountain road located in the Valencian Community, Spain. The road is asphalted. It’s 66.9 km long and links the towns of El Verger (on the AP-7 highway) and Bocairent, on the CV-81 road.

The Spanish road network is full of 'cursed' sections of road that drivers prefer not to go through... under pain of suffering a terrifying encounter.

Foz de Viboli is the name of a very scenic canyon located in the Principality of Asturias, a region of Spain. The drive deems too dangerous due to rock falls. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Ibón de Piedrafita is an Alpine lake at an elevation of 1.622m (5,321ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain.

Peña Telera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.791m (5,875ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, in northeastern Spain close to the border with France.

Castillo de Zafra is a castle situated atop a large rock at an elevation of 1.400m (4,600ft) above the sea level, located in the northeastern corner of the province of Guadalajara, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. It’s known from Game of Thrones.

Old Terradets Canyon Road is the name of a very challenging drive located in the comarca of Pallars Jussà, in the province of Lleida, Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Pico Almadén is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.031m (6,663ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Jaen, autonomous community of Andalusia, in southern Spain

Exploring the Canary Islands by road unveils a driving enthusiast's paradise, where each twist and turn leads to breathtaking landscapes and exhilarating experiences. Nestled in the Atlantic Ocean, this Spanish archipelago boasts a network of roads that wind through diverse terrains, from volcanic landscapes to coastal wonders. Join us on a journey through the best driving roads in the Canary Islands, where the thrill of the open road meets the stunning beauty of these enchanting islands.

Monte Roldan is a mountain peak at an elevation of 468m (1,535ft) above the sea level, located in the Murcia region of southeast Spain. The road offers stunning views of the Mediterranean coastline of Murcia.

Talaia d'Albercutx is an old surveillance tower, built to spot pirates and corsairs, at an elevation of 355m (1,164ft) above sea level located in Mallorca, Spain. The drive up there can be a bit tricky, as the road is very narrow and not in great condition.

Cap de la Peulla is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.322m (7,618ft) 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. 

Laguna de Valdeazores is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.289m (4,229ft) above the sea level, located in Jaén, a province of southern Spain, in the eastern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia.

Located in the province of Toledo, in the heart of Castile-La Mancha, the Castillo de Montalbán is a massive 12th-century fortress built by the Knights Templar. While the history of the site is legendary, the approach to the castle is a logistical test for your vehicle's suspension. Reaching the gates requires driving a short but technical track that leaves the main road behind, transitioning from modern asphalt to a surface that feels as old as the stone walls of the fortress.

Mirador del Naranjo de Bulnes is a viewpoint at an elevation of 462m (1,515ft) above the sea level, located in the Principality of Asturias, a region of northwest Spain.

Located in the heart of the Serra d'Ensija, in the Berguedà region of Barcelona, the ascent to Coll de Pradell is a high-altitude journey reaching 2,135m (7,004ft) above sea level. This pass, situated at coordinates 42.19404, 1.64757, should not be confused with the paved pass of the same name located further east. This is a raw, high-mountain environment where the asphalt disappears to give way to a technical track that demands respect from both the driver and the vehicle's mechanics.

Playa de Argaga is a black volcanic sand and pebble beach located in the western part of the island La Gomera, in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands, Spain. Be aware of falling rocks.

Cap de la Fesa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.356m (7,729ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Alt Urgell, Lleida, Catalonia, in northern Spain, near the French border. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Foces del Rio Somiedo is the name of a very scenic drive located in the autonomous community of Asturias, in northern Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

El Yelmo is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.785m (5,856ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Jaén, Andalusia, in Spain.

Mirador de la Curva del Queso is an observation deck at an elevation of 609m (1,998ft) above the sea level, located in the western part of the island La Gomera, in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands, Spain.

Located in the heart of the Aragonese Pyrenees, the ascent to Punta d’Icún (also known as Cerro de las Canales) is one of the most technical and sustained unpaved climbs in the province of Huesca. Reaching an elevation of 2,069m (6,788ft) above sea level, the track starts at the isolated village of Yosa de Sobremonte. It is a route defined by extreme verticality, where the vehicle is pushed to its mechanical limits on a surface that offers zero stability and constant exposure to the high mountain elements.

The TV-2443 is a hidden gem in the Alt Camp region of Catalonia, Spain. This 17.4 km paved route connects the town of Vila-rodona with the small village of Aiguaviva (El Montmell). While it may look like a quiet country road, it is a high-speed technical challenge carved through pine forests and almond groves, demanding absolute precision from anyone behind the wheel.

Alto de La Nava Grande is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,963m (6,440ft) above sea level, located in the Sierra de Guadarrama, Madrid. Known locally as Alto de La Nava, this summit offers one of the most technical and scenic unpaved climbs in central Spain.

Reaching the Tuc de Salana is a journey to the high-altitude heart of the Pyrenees. At 2,143m (7,030ft) above sea level, this peak dominates the landscape of the Aran Valley in Catalonia. The route, known as the Camin de Pruedo, is a spectacular but demanding mountain loop that connects Salardú and Arties. It’s a road that takes you deep into the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, where the jagged peaks and glacial lakes make you feel very small, very quickly.

Pico del Nevero is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.211m (7,257ft) above the sea level, located in Spain. 

Reaching an elevation of 2,079m (6,820ft) above sea level, Collada de Montaner is an international high mountain pass situated on the ridgeline of the Pyrenees, marking the border between Spain and Andorra. This high-altitude crossing is a legendary route for off-roaders, linking the Spanish enclave of Os de Civís with the Andorran parish of La Massana.

Pico Zapatero, also known as Cuchillar del Zapatero, is a high mountain peak reaching an elevation of 1,914m (6,279ft) above sea level, located in the province of Avila, Castile and León. Situated in the heart of the Sierra de la Paramera, the road to the summit is a long, unpaved high-altitude track that serves as a vital corridor for telecommunications and mountain grazing management.

Carretera LE-CV-192/21 is a very scenic high mountain road located in the province of León, in Spain.

Tuc de Saumet is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.609m (8,559ft) 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. 

Cañón de Rio Taibilla is a very scenic drive running through an incredible landscape located in Albacete province, in the Spanish autonomous community of Castilla–La Mancha. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Puerto de Honduras is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.433m (4,701ft) above the sea level, located in the north of the province of Cáceres, in Spain.

Estrecho de Priego is the name of a very scenic canyon located in the heart of Cuenca province in the eastern part of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha, in Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Tunel de Cotefablo is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 1.423m (4,668ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Huesca, in northeastern Spain close to the border with France.

The Puerto de Contreras, also known as the Cuestas de Contreras, is a ghost of Spanish engineering. Located on the border between the Valencian Community and Castile-La Mancha, this 17-kilometer stretch was once the main artery between Madrid and Valencia. Today, following the opening of the A-3 highway, it has reverted to a narrow, technical, and partially restricted route that remains a brutal test for those looking to understand how traffic used to flow across the Cabriel river gorge.

Estany de Filià is a glacial lake located in the province of Lleida and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. The road to the lake ends at 2.050m (6,725ft) above the sea level.

Puerto de San Lorenzo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.348m (4,422ft) above the sea level, located in the province and autonomous community of Asturias, in northern Spain. Long and steep (with some parts up to 18%) best describes the climb but it is worth it as the scenery is spectacular.

Located in the heart of the Somiedo Natural Park, in Asturias, the ascent to Braña de Murias Chongas is a test of pure traction and clearance. Reaching an elevation of 1,650m (5,413ft) above sea level, the track—officially part of the PR AS-15.1—connects the village of Valle de Lago with the high summer pastures. It is a route defined by deep water erosion and a surface that is constantly changing due to the harsh weather of the Cantabrian Mountains, where the limestone rock and the mud create a technical challenge for any vehicle.

El Filo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.347m (7,700ft) above the sea level, located in Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of Spain.

Pico de Cerler is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.322m (7,618ft) above the sea level, located in the Benasque Valley, in the heart of the Pyrenees, in Spain. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Spain.

Hoces de Valdeteja is a very scenic drive running through an incredible landscape located north of León province, in Castile and León, Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Located on the island of La Palma, in Spain’s Canary Islands, Pista Hilera de la Cumbre is a short mountain road along the islands’s spine.

Tuc de Baciver is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.343m (7,687ft) above the sea level, located in Lleida, Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Canelles Reservoir Access Road is a scary road located along the border of the province of Huesca, Aragon and the province of Lleida, Catalonia, in northern Spain. The drive will confirm if you are definitely scared of heights.

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