How many Pigtails are in Spain? Driving the 5 legendary "Nudos de Corbata"
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.
A nudo de corbata (known as a "pigtail" in engineering) is a rare road design where a tight curve loops 360 degrees over or under itself to gain elevation in a very compact space. While these spiral bridges are famous in places like Switzerland or Japan, Spain preserves five remarkable examples of this high-mountain engineering.
| Quick List: Spain's Pigtail Curves | |
|---|---|
| Sa Calobra (Nus de sa Corbata) | Ma-2141, Mallorca |
| Montes de Málaga (Double Pigtail) | A-7000, Andalusia |
| Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin | NA-137, Navarra |
| Cuesta del Caracol | CV-223, Castellón |
1. Nus de sa Corbata (Sa Calobra Road, Mallorca)
The Nus de sa Corbata is the most iconic pigtail in Spain. Located on the legendary Sa Calobra Road (Ma-2141), this 270-degree curve was designed by Antonio Parietti in 1932. It was built without any tunnels, simply by looping the road under itself to overcome a massive drop in the Serra de Tramuntana.
2. The Double Pigtail of the A-7000 (Málaga)
The old N-321 road, now the A-7000 Road, is unique because it features two pigtails located in close proximity. These "nudos de corbata" are tucked away in the Mountains of Málaga (Andalusia). They represent a classic example of early 20th-century engineering used to navigate the steep coastal ranges of southern Spain.
3. The NA-137 Spiral (Navarra Pyrenees)
On the way to the Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin, right on the border with France, the NA-137 road performs a perfect spiral. This pigtail allows the road to climb toward the high Pyrenean pass, providing a technical and scenic drive through the Roncal Valley area.
4. The Tunnel Pigtail: Cuesta del Caracol (Castellón)
The most unusual of all is found on the CV-223 road in the province of Castellón. Known as Cuesta del Caracol (Snail's Slope), this curve is located between Eslida and Ahín. What makes it unique is that the loop runs almost entirely through a tunnel, making it a "hidden" pigtail that many drivers don't even realize they are navigating.
Why are these road loops so rare?
Pigtail bridges and loops are expensive and complex to build. In Spain, they are only found where the terrain is too steep for traditional hairpins. From the 17th-century concepts to modern asphalt, these 5 locations remain a testament to the "Driving" spirit—pure engineering at the service of mountain accessibility.