
A paved road to Puerto de Tarna in Cordillera Cantábrica
Spain, europe
29.5 km
1,492 m
moderate
Year-round
# Puerto de Tarna: A High-Alpine Adventure in Northern Spain
Nestled at 1,492 meters (4,895 feet) above sea level, Puerto de Tarna sits right on the border between Castile and León and Asturias in Spain's rugged north. This mountain pass cuts through the stunning Cordillera Cantábrica range, making it feel like you're truly escaping into the wilderness—especially since it's tucked within the gorgeous Redes Natural Park.
The good news? The entire route is paved, so you don't need to white-knuckle your way up an unpaved track. The pass is accessible year-round, though winter storms can occasionally force temporary closures if conditions get too gnarly.
Here's what you're getting into: The 29.5-kilometer (18.33-mile) journey connects La Foz to Lario, with most of the action happening on the northern climb. From La Foz, you'll tackle 18.2 km of steady elevation gain—pushing up 949 meters total with an average gradient of 5.2%. It's a solid workout for your engine, but nothing that'll make you regret bringing your regular car instead of a mountain goat.
The drive splits into two road designations: AS-117 on the northern side and CL-635 on the southern side. Whether you're chasing dramatic alpine scenery or just want to tick off an epic mountain crossing, Puerto de Tarna delivers the kind of dramatic landscape that'll have you reaching for your camera at every hairpin.
Where is it?
A paved road to Puerto de Tarna in Cordillera Cantábrica is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 39.8918, -3.7024
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 29.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,492 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 39.8918, -3.7024
Related Roads in europe
hardA scenic drive to Cap de Creus Lighthouse, an inspiration to Dali
🇪🇸 Spain
# Far del Cap de Creus: Spain's Easternmost Lighthouse Adventure Picture this: you're driving along Spain's northeastern coast, winding through some of the most otherworldly rock formations you've ever seen. Welcome to Far del Cap de Creus, a lighthouse perched dramatically at the easternmost point of mainland Spain. Located in Girona's Alt Empordà region, this headland is pure geological drama—rocks tilted at crazy angles that formed over 400 million years ago. The landscape here is so surreal that Salvador Dalí himself made it his muse, setting up home in a nearby bay. The lighthouse itself, standing 87 meters above sea level, dates back to 1853 and still flashes its signals twice every 10 seconds, acting as a beacon between earth and sea. The real thrill? The drive itself. Starting from Port Lligat near Cadaqués, you'll travel along the Cami Antic—an old coastal path now paved as a narrow, winding single-lane road. It's just 5.6 km of pure coastal magic, where you'll see how the fierce north wind has sculpted the natural park's landscape into something genuinely otherworldly. At the end awaits a restaurant inside the lighthouse building itself, offering views of incomparable beauty and diversity. Fair warning: parking's tight, so grab a spot early or consider the tourist train that runs multiple times daily during summer. Fun fact: Hollywood even came calling in 1971 to film "The Light at the End of the World" with Kirk Douglas. They built a fake lighthouse just for the movie—now that's commitment to authenticity.
moderateWhere is Plateau de Beille?
🇫🇷 France
Alright, cycling fans, picture this: the legendary Plateau de Beille, a ski resort nestled high in the French Pyrenees. We're talking serious elevation here! This isn't just any climb; it's *the* climb, one of France's most iconic! Find it in the Ariège department, down in the southwestern part of the country, practically winking at Andorra. Trust me, the views from the top of this Nordic ski station are killer. The road? Smooth as butter, fully paved, and ready for action. It's known as the D522, and it's a beast. Expect some seriously steep sections; we're talking double-digit gradients and hairpin turns that’ll make you sweat. So, how long is this leg-burner? We're talking a 15.8 km (9.8 miles) grind, with a whopping 1,250 meters (4,100 feet) of elevation gain. That puts the average gradient at around 7.9%! Ouch! Why all the hype? Well, the ascent to Plateau de Beille is a Tour de France classic. This climb has seen legends crowned, and is often compared to Mont Ventoux because of its similar stats. If you're looking for a Pyrenean challenge, this is it. Heads up: this is the Central Pyrenees, so while the road is generally open year-round for ski resort access, winter can be brutal. For the best conditions, aim for late April to the end of October. Get ready for an epic ride!
hardJakobshorn
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Jakobshorn: Switzerland's Rocky Alpine Challenge Perched at 2,580m (8,464ft) in Graubünden's Albula Alps, Jakobshorn is one of those peaks that demands respect. The route to the summit is pure mountain adventure—rocky, gravelly terrain that follows a chairlift access trail with seriously steep grades (we're talking over 30% in places). Here's the real talk: this isn't a casual drive. The slope gets progressively gnarlier as you climb, with loose stones scattered throughout and rocky sections becoming increasingly dominant near the summit. Wind is basically a constant companion up here, howling year-round and intensifying at elevation. Even summer doesn't guarantee calm conditions—surprise snowfall can roll in anytime. If you're planning to tackle this one, timing is everything. The narrow summer window closes fast, with late August being your prime (and often only) window of opportunity. Winter? Brutally cold temperatures make it essentially off-limits. Bottom line: Jakobshorn is only for drivers genuinely comfortable with unpaved mountain roads. If alpine gravel tracks make you nervous, this one's not your ride. But if you're experienced and ready for an authentic high-altitude challenge, the rewarding views and adrenaline rush make every rocky meter worth it.
hardLago di Neves
🇮🇹 Italy
Lago di Neves is a stunning high mountain reservoir perched at a breathtaking 1,866 meters (6,122 feet) in South Tyrol, northern Italy. The drive up to this alpine gem is definitely not for the faint of heart – we're talking seriously narrow roads and steep grades that hit 22% in some spots. It's the kind of drive that'll get your adrenaline pumping and your knuckles white on the steering wheel. Fair warning: this route is typically shut down during winter months, so you'll want to plan your visit for May onwards when it reopens. If you're up for a thrilling mountain road adventure with jaw-dropping alpine scenery, this one's absolutely worth adding to your bucket list.