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. 

Puerto de Somport-Col du Somport is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.637m (5,370ft) above sea level, on the border of France and Spain.

Puerto de las Señales is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.629m (5,344ft) above sea level, located in the province of Leon, in Spain.

Laguna Negra de Urbión (Black Lagoon of Urbión) is a glacial lake situated at an elevation of 1,731m (5,679ft) above sea level. It's located in the northern part of the province of Soria, in Spain. Many believe that the lagoon is haunted.

Puerto de la Ragua is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.046m (6,712ft) above sea level, located in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in Spain.

Roque de los Muchachos is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.423m (7,949ft) above sea level, located on the island of La Palma on the Canary Islands in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

FV-30 is one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Located on the island of Fuerteventura, in Spain’s Canary Islands, the road will either delight or terrify.

Picón Blanco is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.512m (4,960ft) above sea level, located in the province of Burgos, in the autonomous community of Castile and León of Spain.

Alto de Xorret de Catí is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.097m (3,599ft) above sea level, located in the province of Alicante, in the Valencia region of Spain.

Desfiladero de La Hermida is a gorge straddling the Cantabria and Asturias autonomous regions on Spain’s north coast. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Located in Tenerife, on the Canary Islands of Spain, Calle Monroy is one of the steepest streets in the world with an average gradient of 28.1%.

Collado de Llesba is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,682m (5,518ft) above sea level, located in the west of the province of Cantabria, near Castile and León, in Spain.

Desfiladero de los Beyos is an amazing gorge with vertical walls carved by the erosion of the Sella River, located in Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads in the country.

Collado de Errozate-Col d'Errozate is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1.076m (3,530ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.

Pico Agujas is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,101m (6,893ft) above sea level, located in the province of León, in the northwestern part of the autonomous community of Castile and León, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Collada de Toses is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.800m (5,905 ft) above sea level, located in the province of Girona, in the autonomous community of Catalonia, in Spain.

Located in the province of Granada, in Spain, the A-4050 is one of the most scenic drives in the southern part of the country. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin turns. This is the old road from the coast to Granada city, locally named Carretera de la Cabra or The Goat's Path.

Known as Carretera de las Presas, the GC-605 is a wonderful and scenic, dangerous mountain road located in the southwestern part of the island of Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands of Spain. The maximum slope is 10%.

Peña Escrita is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,175m (3,854ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada, in Spain. The climb is simply terrible, featuring gradients going up to 27%.

Boi-Taüll is a ski resort at an elevation of 2.055m (6,742ft) above sea level, located in the heart of the Pyrenees, in the province of Lleida, in the autonomous community of Catalonia, in Spain.

Tunel Bielsa-Aragnouet is an international high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 1,820m (5,971ft) above sea level, located on the border of Spain and France.

Puerto de Izaña is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,263m (7,424ft) above sea level, located in Tenerife on the Canary Islands of Spain. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Los Machucos is a mountain pass at an elevation of 880m (2,887ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Community of Cantabria, in Spain. It’s one of the steepest roads that a Spanish bike race has ever tackled, where you ride directly uphill over a huge rock. The climb is brutal, with gradients reaching up to 31%.

Base del Teide is a high mountain cable car base station at an elevation of 2.356m (7,729ft) above sea level, located in Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Túnel de la Engaña is a never-completed railway tunnel with a length of 6.9km (4.28 miles), located in the northern part of Spain. The tunnel was intended to connect the provinces of Burgos and Santander. After the collapse of some parts of the structure in 1999 and 2005, access to the tunnel is extremely dangerous.

Located on the island of Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands, the TF-12 road is, probably, one of the most enjoyable routes to cycle in the whole of Spain. This quiet highway cuts through the Anaga mountain range.

Peña Cabarga is a mountain peak at an elevation of 560m (1,837ft) above sea level located in the autonomous region of Cantabria. It’s said to be one of Spain's toughest cycling climbs.

A-7000 is an awe-inspiring road located in Malaga province, in Spain. It features 2 pigtails, turns that loop over their own road, allowing the road to climb rapidly.

Coll de l’Arca is a mountain pass at an elevation of 605m (1,984ft) above sea level, located in the comarca of Baix Penedès, in Spain. The climb is very steep, with sections up to 15%.

Peña de Francia is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.708m (5,603ft) above sea level, located in the province of Salamanca, in Spain.

Monestir de Montserrat is a Benedictine abbey situated at an elevation of 1,236 meters (4,055 feet) above sea level, located on the mountain of Montserrat in Catalonia, Spain.

Pista de las Cutas is one of the most scenic drives in Spain. Located in the northwest of the Sobrarbe region, in the province of Huesca, Spain, the road offers spectacular views of Ordesa and Monte Perdido. It is closed to private vehicles.

Port de Cantó is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.725m (5,659ft) above sea level, located in Alt Urgell comarca, in Spain.

Alto del Gamoniteiro is an isolated and remote high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,776m (5,826ft) above sea level, located in Asturias, in Spain. The climb is very steep, hitting a grueling 17% through some of the ramps. It’s said to be the highest paved road in Asturias.

Puerto de Navafría is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.775m (5,823ft) above sea level, located on the border between Castile and Leon and Madrid communities, in Spain.

Puerto de Santa Inés is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.755m (5,757ft) above sea level, located in the province of Soria, in Spain.

The road from Espinama to Sotres is an exhilarating route that straddles the autonomous communities of Asturias and Cantabria in Spain.

Port-Ainé is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.967m (6,453ft) above sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in Spain.

Pantà de Cavallers is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.770m (5,807ft) above sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in Catalonia, Spain.

Mirador de Ézaro is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 268 meters (879 feet) above sea level, located in the province of A Coruña, Spain. It’s one of the steepest roads that a Spanish bike race has ever tackled, where you’ll be riding directly uphill over a huge rock.

Alto de Lubián is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.681m (5,515ft) above sea level, located in the province of Zamora, in Spain.

Port de Cabús is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,308 meters (7,572 feet) above sea level, located on the Andorran-Spanish border. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Pico Tres Mares is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.139m (7,017ft) above sea level, located in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in the country. 

Alto Llano is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.710m (5,610ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Segovia, in Spain.

Mont Caro is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,447m (4,747ft) above sea level, located in Catalonia, Spain. The summit is heavily built up, partly occupied by large buildings and towering antenna masts. The road to the top is narrow and dangerous, particularly during winter.

Castell d’Olerdola is a mountain castle at an elevation of 314m (1,033ft) above sea level, located in the comarca of Alt Penedès in Catalonia, Spain. The road to the castle is quite steep, with sections reaching up to a 10% gradient.

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