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. 

Pic Negre is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.643m (8,671ft) above sea level, located on the Andorran-Spanish border. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Coll dels Reis is a mountain pass at an elevation of 658m (2,158ft) above sea level, located on the northwest coast of the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca. It’s one of the most visited spots by cyclists on the island.

Collado El Gavilán is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.517m (4,977ft) above sea level, located in the province of Teruel, in Spain.

Sierra Nevada is a ski resort at an elevation of 2.385m (7,824ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Puerto El Peñón is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,840m (6,036ft) above sea level, located in the autonomous community of Castile and León, in Spain.

Col d'Arnostéguy is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1,240m (4,068ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.

Los Pelaos is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,873m (6,145ft) above sea level, located in the Spanish province of Granada. The climb is extremely challenging, with sections reaching gradients of up to 17%. It’s an old, narrow road filled with potholes and features 13 hairpin turns.

Lago de Urdiceto is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2,380 m (7,808 ft) above sea level, located in the province of Huesca in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Estación de Esquí de Aramón Valdelinares is a ski resort at an elevation of 1,975m (6,479ft) above sea level, located in the province of Teruel, in Spain.

Garganta del Cares is a very narrow canyon located in the province of León in Spain. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads of Spain.

Aramón Formigal-Panticosa is a ski resort at an elevation of 1,790 m (5,872 ft) above sea level, located in the province of Huesca, in Spain.

Silla de la Yegua is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,135 m (7,004 ft) above sea level, located in the Province of León in Spain. It's one of the highest roads in Spain.

La Cuevona is a natural cave located in the autonomous community of Asturias, Spain. Driving through this vast cavern is the only way to access the nearby village, making it a truly unique experience. It’s one of the few roads in the world that runs through a cave.

Lagos de Covadonga is the name of a couple of glacial lakes (Lake Enol and Lake Ercina) located in the region of Asturias in Spain. The road to the lakes is a popular climb in professional road bicycle racing, with ramps up to 15%. It's said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the country.

Coll de Triadó is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,172m (7,125ft) above sea level, located in the province of Lleida, in Spain. It is one of the highest roads in the country.

Pico Los Reales is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,447m (4,747ft) above sea level, located in the province of Málaga, in Spain.

Morrón de Espuña is a high mountain peak, standing at an elevation of 1,574m (5,164ft) above sea level, located in the Murcia region of Spain.

Carretera LP-4, locally known as Carretera del Roque, is a breathtaking road located in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It's one of the highest roads in Spain.

Llanada del Mulhacén is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 3,408m (11,181ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada, Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Coll de Pal is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,109m (6,919ft) above sea level, located in the comarca of Berguedà, in Spain.

Saut deth Pish is a spectacular waterfall at an elevation of 1,553 m (5,095 ft) above sea level, located in Val d'Aran, Spain.

La Rinconada de Nigüelas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,174m (7,132ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada, in Spain. It's one of the highest roads in Spain.

Located in the Canary Islands, Ruta de los Volcanes is an extraordinary and unforgettable journey, where you will enjoy awe-inspiring views over volcanic cones, look down into craters, see dunes of picón or lapilli, and have a glance into lava tubes. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the world.

Antigua Carretera N-320 is a cliff road located in Sacedón, in the province of Guadalajara, Spain. The road was bypassed by a new highway but is still in use. It can be impassable at any time due to stone collapses and landslides. It’s one of the most scenic canyon roads in Spain.

Casielles is a small ghost town at an elevation of 809m (2,654ft) above sea level, located in the Asturian council of Ponga, in Spain. Be careful: this narrow road is difficult, with 23 hairpin turns.

Calar Alto is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,168m (7,113ft) above sea level, located in the province of Almería, in Spain. It's one of the highest roads in Spain.

Col de Caralps is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,501m (8,205ft) above sea level, located on the French-Spanish border. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Coll de la Creueta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,880m (6,167ft) above sea level, located in the province of Barcelona in Spain.

C31 is a coastal corniche road located in Spain's Catalonia region. The exciting road, nicknamed Costes del Garraf, is not suitable for those who get dizzy.

Bardenas Reales is a desert natural region located in southeast Navarre, in Spain. It’s one of the few deserts in Europe and is definitely the most impressive of them all.

Jito de Escarandi (also known as Alto de Sotres) is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,308m (4,291ft) above sea level, located in the Picos de Europa mountain range of Spain. The road features sections with a gradient of up to 21%.

Alto del Moncalvillo is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,480m (4,855ft) above sea level, located in the autonomous community of La Rioja, Spain.

La Covatilla is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,962m (6,437ft) above sea level, located in the south of the Province of Salamanca, in Spain. It is one of the hardest climbs in the area.

Observatorio del Pico Veleta is a high mountain observatory at an elevation of 2.856m (9,370ft) above sea level, located in the region of Andalusia, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Santuari de la Mare de Déu de l'Abellera is a mountain shrine at an elevation of 1.008m (3,307ft) above sea level, located in the comarca of Baix Camp, in southern Catalonia, Spain.

Puerto de Ancares is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,670m (5,479ft) above sea level, located on the border between Galicia and Castile and León autonomous regions, in Spain.

Puerto de la Fuenfría is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,796m (5,892ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Autonomous Community of Madrid and the Castile and León region, in Spain.

Port de Boucharo-Puerto de Bujaruelo is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,278 m (7,473 ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border. The last part of the road to the summit is blocked to vehicles by large rocks.

Refugio Vivac de la Caldera is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 3.053m (10,016ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Located in El Hierro, the smallest and farthest south and west of the Canary Islands in Spain, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, HI-500 is a scenic coastal road with dangerous drop-offs.

Llano de las Ovejas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,961m (6,433ft) above sea level, located in the province of León, in Spain.

Collado de Carihuela is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,209m (10,528ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Puerto de Peñanegra is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,909m (6,263 ft) above sea level, located in the Spanish province of Ávila.

Alto Fonte da Cova is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,850m (6,069ft) above sea level, located on the border between Galicia and Castile and León, in Spain. It is an impressive climb by any standards.

GC-606 is a mountain road located in Las Palmas Province, in the Canary Islands of Spain. It’s one of the most challenging roads on the island—spectacular or terrifying, depending on how you handle heights.

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