The infernal road to Pico el Puntal
Pico el Puntal is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.286m (4,219ft) above the sea level, located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain.
Located in Natural Park Sierra Alhamilla, within the desert of Tabernas, the driest and warmest place of the country, the road to the summit is hellish. It was paved a few years ago, but currently its surface is very poor (almost unpaved) full of holes all the way up. SUV or high clearance vehicle required. The drive features many narrow parts with dangerous drop offs.
The road is pretty steep. Starting from Oasis Mini Hollywood, N-340a road junction, the road is 14,9 km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 985 meters and the average gradient is 6.6%. In parts the road features very steep ramps. Oasys (before known as Mini Hollywood) is a Spanish Western-styled theme park used as a set for many films: For a Few Dollars More, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Conan the Barbarian, Doctor Who etc. Surrounded by a lunar landscape, the drive offers stunning views. As you gain height, the views of the Tabernas desert become more and more spectacular. The summit is home to a few communication towers and facilities.
Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez
Pic&video: Carlos Liébana