Puntal de la Misa, a wild drive in Spain
Puntal de la Misa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.754m (5,754ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Jaén, in Andalusia, Spain. A 4WD vehicle with high clearance and an experienced driver are required. The road is very steep, with sections up to 20%. It’s one of the wildest drives in the country.
The road to the summit, located within the Natural Park Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and the Villas, is gravel, rocky, very narrow, tippy and bumpy at times. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs. At the summit is a fire lookout hut used during the summer months.
The journey offers superb views. It’s definitely worth it. A drive not to be missed! Don't forget your camera with lots of film/memory, fully charged batteries and an empty memory card! Unforgettable panoramas of the endless succession of mountain peaks on the opposite side of the broad valley of the River Segura. Stay away if you're scared of heights. Expect a trail pretty steep with sections up to 20%. As we gain altitude, the vegetation becomes scarcer until it is reduced to a bare expanse of broom.
The summit is also known as Pico Cobos. The wind is usually quite strong at mountain areas. High winds blow here all year long. Do not travel this road in severe weather conditions. It is subject to winter snowfalls with such a high summit altitude, and the road can be closed anytime when the access is not cleared of snow. This area is frequented by groups of Spanish ibex, whilst the skies above are the domain of griffon vultures. Peregrine falcons can also be spotted above the precipices, and wild boar are common throughout the area. It still remains an adrenaline-pumping journey and is definitely not for the faint of lungs, heart, or legs.
Pic: http://guadalinfotorresdealbanchez79.blogspot.com.es/p/santiago-de-la-espada-pontones.html