Driving the Highest Paved Road in Cantabria to Collado de la Fuente del Chivo
Collado de la Fuente del Chivo is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,992m (6,535ft) above sea level, located in Cantabria, an autonomous region on Spain’s north coast.
Where is Collado de la Fuente del Chivo?
The peak is near the Castile and León autonomous community, in the northern part of the country. It’s named after a fountain called Fuente del Chivo.
Is the Road to Collado de la Fuente del Chivo Paved?
The road to the summit is fully paved and is called CA-916. At this elevation, it is considered the highest paved road in the Cantabria autonomous region. The road is narrow in parts, with a few hairpin turns and steep sections, reaching a maximum gradient of 17% on some ramps.
How Long is the Road to Collado de la Fuente del Chivo?
Starting from Brañavieja, the road to the summit is 5 km (3.10 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 363 meters, and the average gradient is 7.26%. The Spanish Vuelta bicycle race finished here in 2015. A gravel road at the parking lot leads to Pico Tres Mares, a high mountain peak at 2,139m (7,017ft) above sea level.
Is the Road to Collado de la Fuente del Chivo Open in Winter?
The road is closed for most of the winter because the chairlifts and ski slopes of the Alto Campoo resort cross the road, which becomes covered in snow.
Is Collado de la Fuente del Chivo Worth the Drive?
At the summit, there is a natural viewpoint, known as Mirador Fuente del Chivo. From here, you can enjoy extraordinary panoramic views of the Polaciones Valley, Peña Sagra, Peña Labra, Liébana, and the Picos de Europa. Wind and fog are common in this area, but when the weather is clear, the views are breathtaking.