Peña Angulo Pass: Exploring the Abandoned BU-550 Road in Burgos
Peña Angulo is a mountain pass at 735 m (2,411 ft) above sea level, located in the province of Burgos, Spain. The old road that once crossed the pass was part of the BU-550 and for decades connected the Basque Country with Burgos. Because of constant rockfalls and unstable slopes, the road was replaced in the early 1990s by a modern alignment that includes a 580 m tunnel. Both the old and new sections are paved. The original one is now closed and abandoned.
Where is Peña Angulo?
The pass lies in the autonomous community of Castile and León, in the northwestern part of the country, within the Mena Valley, near the border with Álava.
Why Was the Peña Angulo Road Important?
The old Peña Angulo route formed part of the historic Caminos Reales, once the main communication route between northern Spain and Burgos. Before the tunnel opened, it was the only direct passage through the Sierra Salvada range.
Why Was It Closed?
Years of rockfalls, erosion, and partial collapses made the road unsafe. A new bypass with a tunnel was completed around 1990, eliminating the most dangerous section. The old alignment was then closed to vehicles for safety reasons.
Can You Still Access the Old Road?
The former stretch of the BU-550 is officially closed. A mound of earth blocks vehicle access, and several warning signs mark the entrance. Some hikers and cyclists still explore it at their own risk, but it is not maintained and remains hazardous.
What Can Be Found Along the Abandoned Section?
The abandoned part is short—about one kilometre—but shows clear signs of damage. The route begins in a rock-cut trench before reaching an exposed area where the road clings to the side of the gorge. Stone parapets, concrete retaining walls, and old bolts in the rock face reveal past reinforcement attempts. Several parts of the pavement have collapsed, and in one area more than half the carriageway has fallen away. Old guardrail supports, missing signs, and broken asphalt mark the end of the section, just before the new tunnel and bypass.
Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez
Pic: gohan_00