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 Sobia (Sobia's Lake) is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.363m (4,471ft) above the sea level, located on the South of the Principality of Asturias, in northern Spain. The climb is brutal: 21.13% of average gradient.

Collado de la Mina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.024m (6,640ft) above the sea level, located in southern Spain, in the province of Granada, Andalusia.

Puig Castellar is a mountain pass at an elevation of 943m (3,093ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Alt Penedès and Anoia regions, in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The climb is very steep, with sections up to 12%.

Cap de Vaques is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.312m (7,585ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Pyrenees, in the province of Lleida and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Bellmunt is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.246m (4,088ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Osona, in the province of Barcelona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain.

Pico Telégrafo is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.977m (6,486ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Granada, autonomous community of Andalusia, in southern Spain.

Sobrón Alto is a small village located in Álava province, in the Basque Country, in northern Spain.

Puerto de la Mata is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.670m (5,479ft) above the sea level, located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in southern Spain. The road to the summit is steep, hitting an 18%.

Puerto de Navalmoral is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.517m (4,977ft) above the sea level, located in the central part of the province of Ávila, in Castile and León autonomous community, in north-western Spain.

Pico Cascuerres is a high mountain peak, at an elevation of 1.598m (5,242ft) above the sea level, located in the autonomous community of Cantabria, in northern Spain. The average gradient is 13.93%.

Puerto de Navaluenga is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.804m (5,918ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Ávila, Castile and León, Spain. It’s 12’5% with some sections up to 37%.

Alto del Muñón is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.789m (5,869ft) above the sea level, located on the South of the Principality of Asturias, in northern Spain.

Barratge de Romedo de Baix is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.018m (6,620ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Lleida, Catalonia, in north-eastern Spain, near the French border.

Monte Aquiana (or Guiana) is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.819m (5,967ft) above the sea level, located in El Bierzo comarca in the province of León, in northwestern Spain.

Puig de Sant Salvador is a mountain peak at an elevation of 468m (1,535ft) above the sea level, located on the island of Mallorca, part of the Spanish autonomous community of the Balearic Islands.

Estanho de Vilac is a high mountain lake with an influence of Atlantic climate at an elevation of 1.642m (5,387ft) 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. The average gradient is 8.85%.

Adou del Bastareny is the spring of Bastareny River, at an elevation of 1.013m (3,323ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Berguedà, in Catalonia, Spain.

Pista del Marroquí is the name of an abandoned cliff road located in Ourense, in the Galicia region of north-west Spain.

Col des Veaux is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 540m (1,771ft) above the sea level, located on the French-Spanish border.

CV800 is a very scenic (and delightful) drive located in the southeast of Valencian Community, in Spain.

Mola del Guerxet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.109m (3,638ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Conca de Barberà, in the province of Tarragona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain.

MA-1101 is a very challenging mountain road located in the western part of Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands of Spain.

Nestled in the heart of León province lies the Hoz de Llánaves, a picturesque canyon situated in the northwestern region of the autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain and promises drivers an unforgettable experience.

Collado Ordes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.147m (3,763ft) above the sea level, located in the Picos de Europa mountain range, in region of Asturias, northern Spain. The average gradient is brutal: 14.64% with 31 hairpin turns.

La Merica is a mountain peak at an elevation of 817m (2,680ft) 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.

Puerto de Piedrafita is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.687m (5,534ft) above the sea level, located on the border of the autonomous community of Castile and León and the Principality of Asturias, in northwest Spain.

Mirador de Sierra Alta is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 1.840m (6,036ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain.

Coll de Melanell is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.971m (6,466ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Girona, Catalonia, in north-eastern Spain, near the French border.

Mina de Ventana (Window Mine) is an old mine at an elevation of 1.699m (5,574ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Principado de Asturias and Castilla y León, in northern Spain.

Refugio Vivac Piedra Negra is a high mountain shelter at an elevation of 2.059m (6,755ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Almería, in the region of Andalucia, southern Spain.

Punta Alvarosa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.023m (6,637ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain.

Hoz de Beteta is a picturesque canyon located in the province of Cuenca, in the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha, in Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

The Vuelta a España or Tour of Spain is a benchmark bicycle race, regarded as one of the most important events on the UCI World Tour calendar

Collado de la Espina is a mountain pass at an elevation of 968m (3,175ft) above the sea level, located in the Autonomous Community of Cantabria, in northern Spain. It’s one of the steepest roads that a Spanish bike race has ever tackled where you directly ride against uphill over a huge rock. The climb is brutal: up to 31%.

Puerto de Arcones is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.830m (6,003ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Castile and León and Community of Madrid, in Spain.

M541 is a very narrow mountain road located in the southwesternmost end of the Community of Madrid in Spain. The drive is pretty challenging and a paradise for bikers.

Puerto Linera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.835m (6,020ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Castile and León and Community of Madrid, in Spain.

Cerro de la Escusa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.952m (6,404ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Ávila, Castile and León, Spain.

Puerto del Cubillo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.617m (5,305ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Cuenca, Castile-La Mancha, Spain.

Refugi de Boumort is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.886m (6,187ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of Pallars Jussà, province of Lleida, Catalonia, in northern Spain.

Coll de Caralt is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.065m (6,774ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca Alt Urgell, Lleida, Catalonia, in north-eastern Spain, near the French border.

Cerro del Jabinar is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.847m (6,059ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Castile and León and Community of Madrid, in Spain.

Alto de Calabazosa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.691m (5,547ft) above the sea level, located located on the South of the Principality of Asturias, in northern Spain.

Pico La Mirandiella is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.570m (5,150ft) above the sea level, located in the province and autonomous community of Asturias, in northern Spain. The climb is simply brutal: 11.68%.

Cerrada de la Magdalena is a very exciting journey located along the sunny slopes of Sierra de Cazorla and north of the province of Granada, in Spain. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with dangerous dropoffs.

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