Driving the old and abandoned road to Puerto de Rañadoiro
Puerto de Rañadoiro (also known as Puerto del Trayecto) is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,178 meters (3,864 ft) above sea level, located in the Asturias region of northern Spain. Crossing the Sierra de Rañadoiro, the old pass road was historically the main route between Cangas del Narcea and Degaña.
| Road facts: Puerto de Rañadoiro (Old Road) | |
|---|---|
| Location | Cangas del Narcea, Asturias (Spain) |
| Elevation | 1,178 m (3,864 ft) |
| Length | 11.3 km (7.0 miles) |
| Average Gradient | 5.3% |
| Status | Closed to through traffic / Abandoned |
Where is Puerto de Rañadoiro located?
The pass is located in southwestern Asturias, along the old alignment of the AS-15 road. Historically known as part of the "Camino Real del Trayecto," it crosses the high ridge of the Sierra de Rañadoiro to link Cangas del Narcea with the Degaña valley.
Why was the Puerto de Rañadoiro road replaced?
In 2010, regional authorities opened the Rañadoiro Tunnel to bypass the mountain climb entirely. The 1,924-meter tunnel forms part of a 4-kilometer bypass that avoids the 11.3 kilometers of narrow switchbacks over the summit. The bypass eliminated the frequent winter road closures caused by heavy snow and ice at 1,178 meters elevation.
What are the conditions on the old Rañadoiro pass?
Since the opening of the tunnel, the old 11.3-kilometer road has been closed to through traffic and receives no maintenance. The asphalt surface is broken, with deep cracks, frost heaves, and overgrown vegetation narrowing the lanes. Water runoff has carved ruts into the pavement, and loose rocks from the upper slopes cover sections of the roadbed. Soil mounds and gates block vehicular access at both ends of the pass.
What hazards exist on the abandoned road?
Without maintenance crews, the old pass accumulates rockslides and fallen trees after rainstorms. The lack of guardrails leaves the outer edge unprotected along steep drop-offs. In winter, snow blocks the route completely, as snowplows operate exclusively on the new AS-15 tunnel alignment.
Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez