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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Collada de Port Negre is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.505m (8,218ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Spain and Andorra.

El Moixer is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.441m (4,727ft) above the sea level, located between France and Spain. The average gradient is 11.16%.

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.

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.

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

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.

Pico Papeles is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.353m (7,719ft) above the sea level, located in Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in Southern Spain. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

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.

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.

Puerto de Contreras is a mountain pass at an elevation of 724m (2,375ft) above the sea level, located on the border of the Valencian Community and Castile-La Mancha, in Spain.

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. 

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.

Mirador del Tapadero is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 1.124m (3,687ft) above the sea level, located in Jaén, a province of southern Spain, in the eastern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Cerrajón de Murtas is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.509m (4,950ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Granada, in the eastern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia, in southern Spain.

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

Pla de la Feixa is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 2.212m (7,257ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Cerdanya, province of Girona, Catalonia, north-eastern Spain.

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

Tossal dels Altars is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.488m (8,162ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Lleida in the autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

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.

Braña de Murias Chongas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.650m (5,413ft) above the sea level, located in the autonomous community of Asturias, in northern Spain.

Valdesqui is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.877m (6,158ft) above the sea level, located in the Sierra de Guadarrama (mountain range of the Central System), on the edge of the Spanish provinces of Madrid and Segovia, in the central part of the country.

The Camino de Santiago is not a single path, but a network of ancient pilgrimage routes stretching across Europe. While they all lead to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, the experience varies wildly depending on which one you choose. Whether you seek coastal cliffs, high mountain passes, or social atmosphere, here is how to decide.

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

Cerro del Gargantón is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.789m (5,869ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Castile and León and Community of Madrid, in Spain.

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.

Esplugafreda-Claramunt is a high mountain road located  in Catalonia, Spain, in the comarca of the Pallars Jussà.

Coll de la Trava is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.494m (4,901ft) above the sea level, located in the Catalan Pyrenees in Spain.

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.

Cañón del Río Zumeta (Zumeta Canyon Road) is the name of a very scenic drive located on the boundary between the Spanish autonomous communities of Andalusia and Castilla–La Mancha. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Congost de l'Escala del Pas Nou is the name of a very challenging drive located in the comarca of Noguera, in the province of Lleida, Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Refugi de la Pleta del Prat is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.720m (5,643ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of the Pallars Sobirà in Catalonia, Spain.

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