What are the most spectacular roads in Spain?

Tucked away on the Iberian Peninsula, in the southwestern part of Europe, the roads of Spain offer the best way to discover the country’s diverse topography. It features mountain roads, even the highest paved road in Europe, as well as stunning coastal drives on the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.

The country is home to Pico del Veleta, the highest paved road in the European continent. Ending at 3,369m (11,053ft) above sea level, it's one of the highest roads in Europe. At an altitude of around 3,000m, road conditions become significantly worse. For those seeking mountain roads, Alto de l’Angliru is the ultimate cycling ascent in Asturias. Climbing up to 1.558m (5,111ft) above sea level, it’s one of the hardest and most epic climbs you can ride on two wheels.

If you’re up for a drive on scenic roads, Mallorca hosts two stunning drives: the sensational road to Formentor Lighthouse and Sa Calobra, the Snake Road. Located on the island of Mallorca, Sa Calobra Road is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Imagine dropping a long piece of wet spaghetti on the floor. The pattern it makes looks something like what the road looks. If you really want a challenge, try tackling it by bike. On the Canary Islands, GC-200 is an exhilarating road with 365 curves and spectacular views. The road has it all, from hairpin bends to sheer cliff-edge drops. It's one of the best roads on the Canary Islands.

So, rev up your engines and let Spain's spectacular routes guide you through a journey of soulful discoveries and unforgettable vistas. You will discover many treasures created by skilled workers employed by construction firms with tradition in Spain. 

Lagunas de Neila is a high mountain glacial lake at an elevation of 1.873m (6,145ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Burgos, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, in north-central Spain. The climb is very steep, with sections up to 17%.

Puerto de Larrau is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.615m (5,298ft) above the sea level, on the French-Spanish border in the western Pyrenees.

Puerto del Escudo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.011m (3,317ft) above the sea level, located in the valley of Luena, between Cantabria and Castile, in Spain. It has several parts of double-digit gradients.

Col du Portillon-Coll de Portilló is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,293 m (4,242 ft) above sea level, located on the border of Spain and France.

Cueto de Arbás is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.837m (6,026ft) above the sea level, located in the province of León, Castile and León, Spain.

Winston Churchill Avenue is one of the busiest roads in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The avenue cuts directly across the runway of Gibraltar Airport. If having to be cautious of other drivers wasn't enough, on Gibraltar's Winston Churchill Avenue, you have to watch out for planes too.

Mallorca, also known as Majorca, is a beautiful island located in the Mediterranean Sea and is the largest of the Balearic Islands Archipelago. Known for its stunning beaches, delicious cuisine, and vibrant nightlife, Mallorca is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world.

Pico del Lobo is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.242m (7,355ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Castile and León and Castile-La Mancha, in north-central Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Refugio Poqueira is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.501m (8,205ft) above the sea level, located in the region of Andalucia, in the province of Granada, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Puerto del Connio is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.315m (4,314ft) above the sea level, located in Fuentes del Narcea, in the Principality of Asturias, in northern Spain.

Coll del Cintó is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.889m (6,197ft) above the sea level, located in Lleida province, Spain.

Pico de Cabañas is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.943m (6,374ft) above the sea level, located in Jaén, a province of southern Spain, in the eastern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia.

Alto de la Cruz de la Demanda is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.855m (6,085ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Castile and León and La Rioja regions, in northwestern Spain.

Puerto de la Morcuera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.796m (5,892ft) above the sea level, located in the northern area of the autonomous Community of Madrid, in central Spain.

Puerto de Cotefablo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.423m (4,668ft) above the sea level, located in northeastern Spain in the province of Huesca, near the Pyrenees and the border with France

Cerro Gatón is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.911m (6,269ft) above the sea level, located in La Rioja, Spain.

Puerto de Los Cotos is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.830m (6,003ft) above the sea level, located in the mountain range of Guadarrama, on the border of Castile Leon and Madrid, Spain.

Puerta del Infierno (Hell’s door) is the name of an exciting journey in the heart of the province of Cuenca, in Castile-La Mancha, Spain. The road snakes its way along the Río Escabas running through 3 unlit tunnels, known as Puerta del Infierno, Paso del Diablo (Devil’s pass) or Boca del Infierno (Hell’s mouth). It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Alto de la Marta is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.105m (3,625ft) above the sea level, located in northwestern Asturias, Spain. The steep road includes 15% and 18% sections.

Puerto de Montenegro, also known as Puerto de las Viniegras, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.582m (5,190ft) above the sea level, located in the midst of the Iberian System mountains, on the border between the provinces of La Rioja and Soria, in Spain.

Collada de la Gallina is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,912m (6,272ft) above sea level, located on the border between Spain and Andorra. It is a very demanding climb.

Cabo Tiñoso is a very scenic cape located west of the city of Cartagena, on the coastline of the Region of Murcia, in Spain. It is not a drive for drivers of a nervous disposition.

Ardibide is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.457m (4,780ft) above the sea level, located in the autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. The climb is simply brutal, with sections up to 30%.

Pedró dels Quatre Batlles is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.387m (7,831ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Lleida and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Coll de Conglens is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.180m (7,152ft) above the sea level, located in the central Pyrenees mountains, in Catalonia, Spain.

Observatorio de Sierra Nevada (OSN) is a high mountain observatory at an elevation of 2.885m (9,465ft) above the sea level, located in the region of Andalusia, province of Granada, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

Puerto de Piqueras is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.710m (5,610ft) above the sea level, located in the La Rioja region of northern Spain.

Alto de Capileira is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.436m (4,711ft) above the sea level, located in the southern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range known as the Alpujarras, in the province of Granada, in Spain.

Alto de La Camperona is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.597m (5,239ft) above the sea level located in the province of León, Castile and León, in north-western Spain.

Circo de Gavarnie is a large rock amphitheater, at an elevation of 1.690m (5,544 ft) above the sea level, located within the commune of Gavarnie, in the Pyrenees National Park, on the border of France and Spain. The road is totally closed to vehicles.

Collado de las Sabinas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.136m (7,007ft) above the sea level, located in Sierra Nevada mountain range, in the province of Granada, Spain.

Coll de Josa is high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.633m (5,357ft) above the sea level, located in the northwest of the comarca of Berguedà in Catalonia, Spain.

Puerto de Malagosto is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.931m (6,335ft) above the sea level, located in the Sierra de Guadarrama (mountain range of the Central System), on the edge of the Spanish provinces of Madrid and Segovia, in the central part of the country.

Estany de la Coma d'Amitges is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.382m (7,814ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrenees, in Catalonia, Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

La Polarda is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.143m (7,030ft) above the sea level located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in Southern Spain. It’sone of the highest roads of the country.

Variant de Vilafranca is a short stretch of the N-340 highway, located near Vilafranca del Penedès, the capital of the comarca of the Alt Penedès in Catalonia, Spain. The road is a famous widow maker: 45 people were killed in road accidents between 2000 and 2015.

Chanajiga is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.186m (3,891ft) above the sea level, located on the northern part of the island of Tenerife, which forms part of the Canary Islands, Spain. The climb is simply terrible with sections up to 30%.

Sil Canyon Road is a loop drive located in the Province of Ourense, in the heart of the region of Galicia in northern Spain. The road runs along the Sil River and Santo Estevo dam.

Cerro El Buitre is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.466m (8,090ft) above the sea level located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in Southern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Pista de Chía is the name of a very challenging high mountain road located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain. The journey offers stunning views.

Cerro Almirez is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.350m (7,709ft) above the sea level located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in southern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Located in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia, in northwestern Spain, Road DP-2205 (nicknamed ‘The Cliff Road’) is a very scenic drive. Not recommended if you have passengers that don't like heights.

Laguna Seca is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.283m (7,490ft) above the sea level located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in Southern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Coll de Finestres is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.392m (7,847ft) above the sea level, located on the Andorra (Sant Julià de Lòria) and Spain (Lleida) border.

Cap de Baqueira is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.467m (8,093ft) above the sea level, located in the Val d'Aran, a valley in the Pyrenees mountains in the northwestern part of the province of Lleida, in Catalonia, northern Spain. It's one of the highest roads of the country. 

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