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. 

Muela de San Juan is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.830m (6,003ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Teruel, Aragon, northern Spain.

Collado Chaquetas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.801m (5,908ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Granada, in the region of Andalucia, southern Spain.

Coll de Peguera is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,721m (5,646ft) above sea level, located in the province of Barcelona, in Spain.

Coll d'Alforja is a mountain pass at an elevation of 641m (2,103ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Tarragona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain.

Mina de Riosol is an abandoned mercury mine at an elevation of 1.680m (5,511ft) above the sea level, located in the province of León, Castile and León, Spain.

Located on the northwestern coast of El Hierro, the smallest and farthest south and west of the Canary Islands, Spain, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, Playa del Verodal is a red volcanic sand beach.

Pico Faeda is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.008m (6,587ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of León and Zamora provinces in the autonomous community of Castilla y León, in northern Spain.

Nestled in Catalonia's picturesque Priorat region, you'll find an absolute haven for driving enthusiasts, with winding roads that carve through the rugged terrain and provide an exhilarating driving experience.

Congost de Mont-rebei is one of Spain's most stunning natural wonders, located on the border between the provinces of Lleida in Catalonia and Huesca in Aragón. With its towering cliffs, vertigo-inducing walkways, and jaw-dropping views, it offers an adrenaline-pumping adventure for those seeking both beauty and challenge.

Collado del Tejo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.889m (6,197ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Granada, in the region of Andalucia, southern Spain.

Puerto Cruz de Linares is a mountain pass at an elevation of 842m (2,762ft) above the sea level, located in the province and autonomous community of Asturias, in Spain.

If you’re searching for one of Spain’s hidden natural wonders, the Muralla de Finestres is a destination that will leave you speechless. Often called the Chinese Wall of Aragón, this impressive stone formation looks like something built by ancient hands — but it’s entirely sculpted by nature.

Port des Canonge is a small beach town located in the Balearic Islands of Spain. The road to the town is extremely challenging, with very sharp U-shaped curves.

Triangulo de la Pantaloneta is an area, located in the La Rioja region of Spain, that has gained notoriety as authorities frequently need to intervene to rescue trucks stuck amid steep roads, trees, and thick vegetation.

Paso de los Lobos is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,500m (4,921ft) above sea level, located in the province of Salamanca, in Spain.

Located in the Pre-Pyrenees of Lleida, the L-501 road—known locally as La Pista (The Track)—is a uniquely challenging and rewarding route for motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts. Stretching 41 km, its appeal lies in the isolation, the countless primitive stone tunnels carved into the rock, and its significant history.

Cascada de Soria is a wonderful waterfall located on the island of Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands of Spain. Be warned, the mountain road to the waterfall isn’t for the faint-hearted.

El Montagut is a mountain peak at an elevation of 948m (3,110ft) above sea level, situated in the Serra del Montmell range in Tarragona, Catalonia. The ascent is a technical mix of degraded asphalt and a final gravel spur. Logistically, the route demands precise throttle control due to the sudden transition from paved road to a steep, unpaved track near the summit.

Reaching a staggering elevation of 2,361m (7,746ft) above sea level, Pico Fuente Nueva is a high mountain peak located on the island of La Palma, in the Canary Islands. Situated within the borders of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, it represents one of the highest roads in the country, offering a driving experience that takes you literally above the clouds.

Alto de la Cobertoria is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,181 meters (3,874 feet) above sea level, located in Asturias, Spain. The road to the summit is brutal, hitting a maximum gradient of 12.3% on some of the ramps.

Located on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, part of the Andalusia region, the Marbella Golden Mile is a well-known stretch in Marbella and one of the first places people associate with the city. Dating back to the 1950s, this famous strip has become a symbol of luxury and exclusivity.

Foz de Zafrané is a very scenic ravine located in the province of Zaragoza, in Spain. It’s one of the best canyon roads in Spain.

Monte Jaizkibel is a mountain peak at an elevation of 532m (1,745ft) above sea level, located in the autonomous community of Basque Country, in Spain.

Castell de Miravet is a large Romanesque castle rebuilt by the Knights Templar, located in the Province of Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain.

Puerto de Canalís de Onil is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.015m (3,330ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of L'Alcoià, in the province of Alicante, in the Valencia region of Spain.

Cerro de Maria Antonia is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,924m (6,312ft) above sea level, located in Almeria Province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain.

Caminito del Rey is a pedestrian walkway constructed along the cliffs of the Gaitanes Gorge, located between the municipalities of Ardales, Álora, and Antequera in the Malaga province, Andalusia, Spain. The path stretches over three kilometers with an additional 4.8 kilometers of access routes. It is attached to the rock walls within the gorge, with sections that are only one meter wide, hanging up to 105 meters (344 feet) above the river, on steep cliff faces.

Collada de Bracons is a mountain pass situated at an elevation of 1,136m (3,727ft) above sea level, located in the comarca of Osona in Catalonia, Spain.

Playa del Paso is a small beach with crystal blue water and black sand located in Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands, in Spain.

Puerto de Tíscar is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,189 m (3,900 ft) above sea level, located in the province of Jaen, in Spain. The road through the summit features more than 300 turns.

Reaching the summit of Pico El Morredero is a short but brutal climb into the high peaks of the Montes Aquilanos. At 2,021m (6,630ft) above sea level, this peak in the Province of León offers one of the most raw driving experiences in the El Bierzo region. This isn't a road for tourists; it’s a rugged service track that carves through the slate and shale of the northern Spanish highlands, where the wind always blows and the grip is never guaranteed.

Pico de Urbión is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,168m (7,112ft) above sea level, located in the northern part of the province of Soria, in Spain.

Collado de la Fuente del Chivo is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,992m (6,535ft) above sea level, located in Cantabria, an autonomous region on Spain’s north coast.

Collado del Diablo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,319m (7,608ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Reaching the Albergue de San Francisco is a journey into the high, thin air of the Sierra Nevada. At 2,206m (7,237ft) above sea level, this historic refuge in the province of Granada is a landmark of the Penibaetic System. But don't let the "scenic" label fool you; the access is a raw, unpaved mountain track that carves through the San Juan Valley. This isn't a road for a Sunday cruise; it’s a restricted backcountry route where the rocks are sharp and the weather can flip from baking sun to a freezing gale in minutes.

While millions of drivers traverse Spanish highways every day, only a handful know that the national road network hides five extraordinary "pigtails". After a deep investigation across the map, we have located the only points in Spain where the road literally ties itself in a knot to conquer the impossible terrain.

Estrecho del Hocino is a very scenic canyon located in Albacete province, in Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads in the country.

Collada de Cármenes is a mountain pass reaching an elevation of 1,343m (4,406ft) above sea level in the province of León, Spain. Located in the heart of the Cantabrian Mountains, the pass serves as a transition between the valleys of Cármenes and Villamanín. While the main road is a smooth ribbon of asphalt, the real challenge for drivers lies at the summit, where a primitive and narrow 4x4 track breaks away toward the high-altitude ruins of an ancient copper mine.

Còth de Varradòs is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,052 m (6,732 ft) above sea level, located in Val d'Aran, Spain.

Alto del Hornillo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,999m (6,558ft) above sea level, located in the province of Teruel, in Spain.

Pico del Águila is a high mountain peak with an elevation of 1,611m (5,285ft) above sea level, located in the autonomous community of Aragón, in Spain.

Faro de Finisterre is a lighthouse located in the Province of A Coruña, on the northwestern coast of the Galicia autonomous community of Spain.

Creu de Miramar is a mountain peak at an elevation of 780m (2,559ft) above sea level, located in the Camp de Tarragona region in Catalonia, Spain.

Refugi de Comes de Rubió is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.957m (6,420ft) above sea level, located in Pallars Sobirà comarca, in Spain.

Alto del 14% is a mountain pass at an elevation of 570m (1,870ft) above sea level, located in Cordoba province, in Spain. Don’t let the name fool you—the gradient is even higher.

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