Driving the coastal Carretera del Cañarete is not easy due to the rockslides
Carretera del Cañarete is a very scenic, yet defiant, coastal road located in the southeastern part of Spain. The road is extremely defiant due to the high risk of rockslides.
Where is Carretera del Cañarete?
The road is located in the province of Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalucía, in the southeastern part of the country.
When was Carretera del Cañarete Built?
The section popularly known as El Cañarete began to be built in 1865 and opened to traffic around 1881, running along the cliffs of the Sierra de Gádor. Already in the 1970s, three tunnels and several bridges were built to overcome some of the most tortuous areas of the road and make it safer. It was totally bypassed by the new A-7 highway in 1995.
How Long is Carretera del Cañarete?
The road, officially known as N-340a, is part of the main N-340, the longest of the national roads in Spain. The N-340 follows, up to the province of Murcia, the route of the ancient Via Augusta, built during the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, which ran along the entire Mediterranean coast from Gibraltar to Barcelona.
How Long is Carretera del Cañarete?
The road is fully paved. It’s 9 km (5.59 miles) long, running east-west from Almería, the capital of the province, to Aguadulce. It’s a very busy road, with nearly 10,000 vehicles a day. The road is extremely beautiful, built above the cliffs and features stunning coastal views.
Why is This Hanging Road into Cliffs so Prone to Rockslides?
The rock is not in a healthy state; rather, there are multiple fractures and softer areas that give rise to small and large troughs that suffer the action of water and wind. This, together with the fact that it is located in a seismic zone and a marine environment, gives rise to the presence of instabilities on a very extensive surface.
Why is it Better Driving Carretera del Cañarete from West to East?
It’s highly recommended to drive from Aguadulce to Almería because you can avoid the new tunnels and take the old road directly along sheer cliffs, which are really stunning. There are some parking lots along the road to see the majestic views.
When is the Best Time to Drive On?
Sunset is a great moment to take the drive.
Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez