How to drive the unpaved road to Zaragoza mine?
Mina Zaragoza, also known as Mina Saragossa, is an abandoned arsenic and iron mine at an elevation of 1,646 meters (5,400 ft) above sea level, located in the province of Girona, in Spain.
| Road facts: Zaragoza Mine | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ribes de Freser, Girona, Catalonia (Spain) |
| Elevation | 1,646 m (5,400 ft) |
| Length | 4.3 km (2.67 miles) from Vilamanya |
| Elevation Gain | 369 vertical meters |
| Average Gradient | 8.58% |
| Maximum Gradient | 12% |
| Surface | Unpaved compact soil, loose gravel, and fallen rocks |
| Vehicle Requirement | High-clearance 4WD required |
Where is Zaragoza mine?
The mine is located north of Ribes de Freser, in the autonomous community of Catalonia, in the northeastern part of the country, within the Ribes valley.
Is Zaragoza mine still in use?
Industrial extraction at Mina Saragossa reached its peak between the late 19th century and the mid-20th century, starting intensive operations around 1894. Mining activity declined sharply due to lower ore yield, high transport costs down the steep track, and the fall in market demand for raw arsenic. The mine was permanently abandoned in the 1960s, leaving behind the main gallery, iron tracks, and scattered ruins of the external processing structures.
Can I visit Zaragoza mine?
While the entrance remains physically accessible to hikers, entering the galleries carries real risks including roof collapses, vertical shafts (winzes), and high concentrations of toxic gases (such as arsenic compounds and radon).
Is the road to Zaragoza mine unpaved?
The road to the mine is totally unpaved. It’s called Carretera de Vilamanya, and runs from Vilamanya to Font de l'Home Mort. It’s a high-mountain dirt track cut directly into a sheer rock wall, with an open cliff. The surface consists of compact soil mixed with loose gravel, small embedded stones, and occasional larger rocks that have fallen from the rock face above.
How challenging is the road to Zaragoza mine?
The track maintains a single-vehicle width for almost the entire route, and meeting an oncoming vehicle requires one driver to reverse back along the cliff edge to one of the few widened natural pullouts. There are no guardrails, safety barriers, or road markings along the entire stretch. With a 12% maximum gradient through some of the ramps, a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle is required.
How long is the road to Zaragoza mine?
Starting from Vilamanya, the road to the mine is 4.3 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 369 m and the average gradient is 8.58%.
Pic: jmfperez59