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. 

Pas de la Mainera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.134m (7,001ft) above the sea level, located in Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Pico Gallinero is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,613m (8,572ft) above sea level, located in the province of Huesca, Spain. It features one of the highest roads in the country.

Observatorio Astronómico del Teide is an astronomical observatory at an elevation of 2.397m (7,864ft) above the sea level, located in Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of Spain.

Coll d'Ares is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.536m (5,039ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of the Noguera in the province of Lleida, near to the border with Aragón, in Catalonia, northern Spain.

La Trapa is an ancient monastery located on the south-west coast of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands of Spain. If you're afraid of heights, it's probably best to keep your eyes forward.

Coll d'Espot is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.233m (7,326ft) above the sea level located in Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Puerto de Valdelinares is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,837m (6,026ft) above sea level, located in the province of Teruel, in Spain.

Estanys de la Pera is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.363m (7,752ft) above the sea level located in Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Port de Fontalba is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.071m (6,794ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of the Ripollès in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. It’s a very steep road, with sections up to 9%.

Located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, in northern Spain, Congosto de Obarra is a narrow canyon formed by the Isabena River. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Hoyo Cerrado is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.144m (7,034ft) 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. It’s one of the highest roads of Spain.

Coll de Soller is a mountain pass at an elevation of 508m (1,666ft) above sea level, located on the island of Mallorca, in Spain. This hugely enjoyable and memorable road is a ‘must-climb’ for every cyclist visiting Mallorca.

Rasos de Peguera is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.897m (6,223ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Barcelona, in Spain. The road is not easy, though. Up, down, right, left all the time.

Collado Venta Luisa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.970m (6,463ft) above the sea level, located in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain.

Puerto de Villarroya is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.700m (5,577ft) above the sea level, located in the Maestrazgo comarca, province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain.

Cabeza de Manzaneda is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.751m (5,744ft) above the sea level, located in eastern province of Ourense in the Galicia region of north-west Spain.

Collado de la Cruz de Guardia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.202m (7,224ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. It's one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Alto del Golobar is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.778m (5,833ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Palencia, autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain.

Júcar cliff canyon is the name of a very challenging drive located in the Valencian Community of Spain. Be careful: this road is not for the sissies. One mistake can have consequences. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Collado del Alguacil is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.896m (6,220ft) above the sea level, in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, located in the Spanish Autonomous Region of Andalusia. The climb is simply terrible, going up to 20% gradients.

Puig de Fontlletera is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.401m (7,877ft) above the sea level, located in Girona, Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Located in the Principality of Asturias, an autonomous community in north-west Spain, the AS-260 road is said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the country. Through the drive is a viewpoint called the Mirador del Fito, which offers an incredible view of the ocean, valleys and the Picos de Europa in the distance.

Los Portillinos is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.957m (6,420ft) above sea level, located in the province of León, in Spain.

Monte Faro lighthouse is located on the Cíes Islands, an archipelago off the coast of Pontevedra in Galicia (Spain). The track is for 4x4 vehicles only. Closed to private vehicles. The road to the summit includes 10 steep hairpin turns.

Puerto El Madroño is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.063m (3,487ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain.

Refugio Peña Del Altar is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.791m (5,875ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Jaén in the autonomous community of Andalusia in south-central Spain.

Mas de la Costa is a mountain pass at an elevation of 980m (3,215ft) above the sea level located in the comarca of Alcalatén, province of Castellon, Valencian Community, Spain. It’s said to be one of the Spain's toughest cycling climbs.

Coll de la Portella is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.269m (7,444ft) above the sea level, located in Catalonia, in northern Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Puerto de Mosqueruela is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.512m (4,960ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain.

Puerto del Pinar is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.660m (5,446ft) above the sea level,  located in the province of Granada, Spain.

Pla de Beret is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 1.881m (3,027ft) above the sea level, located In Val d’Aran Valley, Catalonia, in northern Spain. The view on the mountains is unique.

Ermita de Santa Lucia is a small church at an elevation of 312m (1,023ft) above the sea level, located in Castelló, a province in the northern part of the Valencian Community, Spain. The climb is simply brutal, with sections up to 20%.

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

Alto de la Sagra is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.764m (5,787ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Granada, Spain.

Located in the county of Ribagorza, in the province of Huesca, Aragon, in northern Spain, Congosto de Ventamillo is a limestone canyon. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Cabo Vilán lighthouse is located on the west coast of Galicia, in the Costa da Morte of northwestern Spain. The wind is intense.

Refugi Cap del Rec is a high mountain shelter at an elevation of 1.986m (6,515ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Girona, Catalonia, northern Spain.

Alto del Naranco is a mountain pass at an elevation of 634m (2,080ft) above the sea level, located in the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain. It’s an iconic climb in the country.

Laguna de los Peces (Lake of Fishes) is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.725m (5,659ft) above the sea level, located on the north-eastern part of the province of Zamora, in northern Spain.

Tuca Blanca is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.236m (7,335ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Pyrenees, in northeastern Spain in the province of Huesca. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Carretera Chera-Sot de Chera (CV-395) is a mountainous road located in the comarca of Requena-Utiel in the Valencian Community, Spain.

Alto del Morredero is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.762m (5,780ft) above sea level, located in the province of León, in Spain.

Coll de Laquell is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.162m (7,093ft) above the sea level, located on the Andorra-Spain border. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Port de Filià is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.404m (7,887ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in Catalonia, Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Puerto de Fortanete is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.809m (5,935ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain.

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