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. 

Laguna de Valdeazores

Laguna de Valdeazores

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.

Colláu del Muru

How to drive the mining road to Colláu del Muru and Altu la Madalena in Asturias?

Colláu del Muru is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.638m (5,374ft) above sea level, located on the South of the Principality of Asturias, in Spain.

N-340 Road from Nerja to La Rábita

Driving the N-340 Road from Nerja to La Rabita: A Scenic Coastal Route in Andalusia

This section of the N-340, Spain’s longest national road, is a scenic coastal route located in the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It stretches 78.7 km (48.9 miles) between the towns of Nerja and La Rábita, offering spectacular views of the Mediterranean coast.

Pico Colativi

Travel guide to the summit of Pico Colativi

Pico Colativi is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.385m (4,543ft) above the sea level, located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in southern Spain.

NA-4000

Road NA-4000

Carretera NA-4000 is a very exciting road in the heart of the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.

Collado Zamora

How to drive the unpaved road to Collado Zamora in Jaen?

Collado Zamora is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.446m (4,744ft) above sea level, located in the province of Jaén, in Spain.

Tossal dels Altars

Tossal dels Altars: Driving the 2,488m peak above the abandoned Llessui resort

Reaching an impressive elevation of 2,488m (8,162ft) above sea level, Tossal dels Altars is a high mountain peak located in the province of Lleida, in the Catalonia region of northern Spain. Situated within the rugged landscape of the Pyrenees, it stands as one of the highest roads in the country, offering a unique glimpse into the remains of an ambitious high-altitude project from the past.

Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Acebo

How to get by car to Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Acebo in Asturias

Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Acebo is a high mountain sanctuary at an elevation of 1.172m (3,845ft) above sea level located in the southwest of the Principality of Asturias in Spain.

Camí de Fontlletera

Driving the unpaved Camí de Fontlletera to Coll de Melanell

The Camí de Fontlletera (GIV-5265) is a high mountain track in the Eastern Pyrenees of Girona, Catalonia. Linking Ribes de Freser and Tregurà de Dalt, this 28.9 km route is a serious challenge where the road is carved directly into the mountainside, crossing Coll de Melanell before topping out at over 2,000 meters.

Claramunt

How to drive the unpaved road to Claramunt in Lleida?

Claramunt is a mountain hamlet located in the comarca of the Pallars Jussà, in Spain.

Las Cometas

Las Cometas

Las Cometas is a mountain peak at an elevation of 2.291m (7,516ft) above the sea level, located in Aragon in the province of Huesca, in Spain. 

Valdecebollas

Driving the technical track to Valdecebollas: The 2.141m Torreón of Palencia

The unpaved track to Mount Valdecebollas is a high-altitude mountain route located in the Montaña Palentina region, within the province of Palencia, northern Spain. The dirt path climbs the eastern sector of the Cantabrian Mountains, terminating at the concrete tower monument known as El Torreón at 2,141 meters (7,024 ft) above sea level.

Margalef Dam

Driving the canyon road to Margalef Dam is not a piece of cake

Located in the Priorat comarca of Tarragona province, in the southern part of the autonomous community of Catalonia, a narrow road leading to Margalef Dam is one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Tuc de Baciver

Travel guide to the top of Tuc de Baciver

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.

Puerto de Honduras

Puerto de Honduras

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.

Puerto del Pico

The Ultimate Road Trip To Puerto del Pico in Avila

Puerto del Pico is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.391m (4,563ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Ávila, in the southern part of the autonomous community of Castile and León, in Spain.

Canelles Reservoir Access Road

Don’t glance down at your phone on Canelles Reservoir Access Road

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.

N-340 in Tarragona

N-340 in Tarragona is the most haunted road in Spain

Located in the province of Tarragona, in the South of Catalonia, Spain, the infamous kilometer 159 of the main N-340 road is said to be the most haunted road in Spain.

Las Banderillas

How to drive the wild road to Las Banderillas in Jaen

Las Banderillas is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.876m (6,154ft) above sea level, located in the province of Jaén, in Spain.

Cerro de Los Murciélagos

How to drive the paved road to Cerro de Los Murciélagos in Cordoba?

Cerro de Los Murciélagos is a mountain peak at an elevation of 982m (3,221ft) above sea level, located in the southwest of the province of Cordoba, in Spain.

Refugi de la Pleta del Prat

How to drive the narrow road to Refugi de la Pleta del Prat?

Refugi de la Pleta del Prat is a high-altitude mountain refuge at an elevation of 1,720m (5,643ft) above sea level, located in the Pallars Sobirà comarca of Catalonia. Situated within the Alt Pirineu Natural Park, the refuge serves as the base for the Tavascan ski resort. Logistically, the access involves a sustained climb through a glacial valley, requiring focus on narrow passage management and cooling system efficiency.

Lo Covil

How to drive the unpaved road to Lo Covil in Lleida?

Lo Covil is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.402m (7,880ft) above sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Mirador de los Valles

Mirador de los Valles

Mirador de los Valles is a chairlift and a natural lookout at an elevation of 2.208m (7,244ft) above the sea level, located in northeastern Spain in the province of Huesca. 

Loma del Caballo

How to drive the unpaved road to Peña Caballera in Granada

Peña Caballera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.187m (7,175ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Granada, in Spain.

Punta de Estaca de Bares

Punta de Estaca de Bares

Framed within an impressive landscape, Punta de Estaca de Bares is the northernmost point of Spain and the entire Iberian Peninsula.

Pista Hilera de la Cumbre

Pista Hilera de la Cumbre, a track along the Tenerife’s spine

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.

Coll del Torn

Coll del Torn

Coll del Torn is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.865m (6,118ft) above the sea level, located in the autonomous community of Catalonia, northeast Spain.

Quiosco la Laguna

How to drive the unpaved road to Quiosco la Laguna in Granada?

Quiosco la Laguna is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.610m (8,562ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Driving the 10 highest mountain passes of the Spanish Vuelta

Driving the 10 highest mountain passes of the Spanish Vuelta

The Vuelta a España is more than a bicycle race; it is a legendary battle against gravity. Established in 1935 to rival the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, the "Vuelta" has evolved into one of the most grueling events on the UCI World Tour calendar. While it started with only 50 riders, today it is a three-week odyssey through some of the steepest and highest paved roads in Europe.

Serrat de Capifonts

Serrat de Capifonts

Serrat de Capifonts is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.295m (7,529ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Lleida and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. 

Pla de Nègua

How to drive the unpaved road to Pla de Nègua in Lleida?

Pla de Nègua (or Nequa) is an alpine plateau at an elevation of 1.987m (6,519ft) above sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in Spain.

Montaña de La Altura has taxed the nerves of more than a few drivers

Montaña de La Altura has taxed the nerves of more than a few drivers

Montaña de la Altura de Paso Alto is a mountain peak at an elevation of 229m (751ft) above the sea level, located in the island of Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands.

Collado del Puerto

Collado del Puerto

Collado del Puerto is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.205m (7,234ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Granada, in the region of Andalucia, southern Spain. 

Puerto de las Estacas de Trueba

Puerto de las Estacas de Trueba

Puerto de las Estacas de Trueba is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.157m (3,795ft) above the sea level, located on the border of the autonomous communities of Cantabria and Castile and Leon, in northern Spain.

Lago Cuélebre

Driving the off-road track to Lago Cuélebre in Somiedo

Lago Cuélebre, often referred to as Laguna de Invierno, is a high mountain glacial lake at an elevation of 1,843m (6,046ft) above sea level. It is located in the heart of the Somiedo Natural Park, in the autonomous community of Asturias, northern Spain.

Lago del Valle

Lago del Valle

Lake Valley is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.584m (5,196ft) above the sea level, located in the autonomous community of Asturias, in northern Spain.

Puntal de la Canilla

How to drive the unpaved road Puntal de la Canilla in Granada

Puntal de la Canilla is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.335m (7,660ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada, in Spain. 

Desfiladero de La Yecla

Driving through the narrow tunnels of Desfiladero de La Yecla

Desfiladero de La Yecla is a narrow limestone canyon located in the province of Burgos, Castile and León, Spain. The route through this deep gorge, carved by the Arroyo del Cauce, follows the BU-910 road, a technical and narrow sector characterized by underground transits and high geological instability.

Torcal de Antequera

Torcal de Antequera, an awe-inspiring drive in southern Spain

Torcal de Antequera is a nature reserve known for its unusual landforms and karst landscapes, located in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalucía in southern Spain. A road to the visitor’s center tops out at 1.226m (4,022ft) above the sea level.

Campos de Hernán Perea

Campos de Hernán Perea, an adventure track you will never forget

Located in Jaén province, in the eastern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia, southern Spain, Campos de Hernán Perea is said to be the largest high plateau in the country.

Fuentes Altas

Fuentes Altas: A scenic off-road track through the heart of Cazorla

Fuentes Altas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,736m (5,695ft) above sea level, located in the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, in the province of Jaén, Andalusia, in Spain.

Cerrillo Redondo

Cerrillo Redondo

Cerrillo Redondo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.628m (8,622ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Granada, in the region of Andalucia, southern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Road A-6178

Road A-6178

Carretera A-6178 is an amazing twisty road in the heart of the Natural Park Sierra de Andujar, on the border of Castile-La Mancha and Andalusia, in Spain.

Tuc de Costarjàs

Tuc de Costarjàs: Driving the Ski Service Road in Val d'Aran

Tuc de Costarjàs is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,337m (7,667ft) above sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in Spain. 

La Campana

How to get by car to La Campana in Andalusia?

Standing at 1,642m (5,387ft) above sea level, La Campana is one of those isolated peaks in the province of Jaén that most travelers miss. Located in the heart of the Sierra de Segura, in southern Spain, the summit offers a brutal 360-degree view of the Natural Park Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas. But don't expect an easy cruise; this is a rugged mountain environment where the roads are as rough as the landscape.