The wild curvy road to Alto de la Cruz

Alto de la Cruz is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.475m (4,839ft) above the sea level, located in the province of León, Community of Castile and León, Spain.

Located in the region of El Bierzo, within the Valle del Silencio valley, the road to the summit is paved. It’s called Road LE-CV-192/21. The road is paved in pretty bad conditions and very steep, with sections up to 15%. It’s 38.8 km long. Open to traffic throughout the year, may be closed for short periods in winter when the weather is bad.

The pass can be also reached by a minor road starting at Peñalba de Santiago, a mountain town at an elevation of 1.100m (3,608ft) asl. It’s said to be one of the most beautiful towns of the country, a remote village up in the clouds. The town is home to Iglesia de Peñalba de Santiago, a church built in the purest Mozarabic style. The bendy and twisty road was totally paved in 2018 but features a big risk of rock slides. The drive comprises some of the most beautiful scenery that exists in the region of Castilla y León. Starting from Peñalba de Santiago parking lot, the road is 2.9 km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 382 meters. The average gradient is 13.17%, hitting a 17% through some of the ramps.
Pic: Ramon Gonzalez Llamazares
Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez