1. Nus de sa Corbata (Sa Calobra Road, Mallorca)
Spain, europe
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, road trip aficionados, buckle up! Forget the usual highway humdrum, because we're diving into the twisty world of Spanish "pigtails"—those crazy spots where the road does a full-on knot to conquer some seriously wild terrain.
First up, the iconic Nus de sa Corbata on the legendary Sa Calobra Road (Ma-2141) in Mallorca. Picture this: a 270-degree curve designed in 1932 that loops *under itself* to tackle a massive drop. No tunnels, just pure road-bending genius.
Next, head to the Montes de Málaga in Andalusia for a double dose of pigtail fun! You'll find not one, but *two* of these crazy loops tucked away, a classic example of early 20th-century engineering tackling the steep coastal ranges.
Craving Pyrenean views? The NA-137 at Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin, right on the French border, serves up a perfect spiral. This pigtail climbs towards the high pass, delivering both technical thrills and stunning Roncal Valley scenery.
For something truly unique, hunt down the Cuesta del Caracol on the CV-223 in Castellón. This "Snail's Slope" hides its pigtail almost entirely *inside a tunnel* between Eslida and Ahín. A hidden gem, for sure!
These pigtails are rare for a reason. They're complex, expensive, and only pop up where the terrain is *too* much for traditional hairpins. These locations are a testament to the spirit of driving. Time to put them on your bucket list.
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🇬🇷 Greece
# Palies Sinies: Corfu's Hidden Mountain Ghost Town Perched at 475 meters (1,558 feet) above sea level in the northeastern corner of Corfu, Palies Sinies is one of those wonderfully remote villages that feels genuinely lost to time. This abandoned settlement sits nestled in the foothills of Mount Pantokrator, and getting there is half the adventure—seriously, bring a 4x4. The route starts from the Mount Pantokrator road and stretches 3.7 km (2.29 miles) of pure unpaved terrain. You'll gain 288 meters of elevation along the way, with some sections hitting a brutal 25% gradient. The narrow dirt track has zero guard rails, so this isn't the drive for nervous drivers. But if you're up for the challenge? The payoff is incredible. The views during the climb are absolutely stunning, and once you arrive at the village, the sea views are jaw-dropping. It's easy to see why Palies Sinies was built up here in the first place—locals chose this hilltop location centuries ago specifically to escape the pirates who plagued Corfu's coastal areas back in the day. Dating back to at least the 14th century, the village was eventually abandoned in the 1960s. Today, crumbling houses, an old church, and other stone structures remain, creating an eerie but fascinating snapshot of rural life frozen in time. If you're exploring Corfu and want to find one of the island's true hidden gems, this is it.
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