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
moderateWhere is Col du Raspaillon?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the stunning Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France, ready for an adventure. Next up: Col du Raspaillon – also known as Col des Granges Communes – a high mountain pass topping out at 8,284 feet! You'll find this beauty nestled near the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes, practically straddling the border of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments. Yep, you're smack-dab in the middle of Mercantour National Park! Heads up, history buffs: at the summit, you'll find Ouvrage Granges Communes, part of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension. The road itself, heading south from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, is fully paved and was originally built in the 1930s! But keep in mind this isn't a year-round cruise. The road is traditionally closed from late October through late June or early July. Get ready for some serious views!
moderateWhere is Praděd?
🌍 Czech Republic
Okay, picture this: you're carving your way up to a whopping 4,885 feet, smack dab in the heart of the [Insert range name]! This peak straddles the border of [country 1] and [country 2] in the eastern part of [country 1], and trust me, the views are worth the climb. What awaits you at the summit of Praděd? A seriously impressive broadcasting tower, built between [start date] and [end date], that's more than just a tower—it's home to a cute little hotel and restaurant! Oh, and did I mention the upper platform doubles as a lookout tower? On a clear day, the views from up there are insane! This area is a hiker's paradise. Now, about that road... yes, it's fully paved all the way to the top. Fun fact: it's rumored to be the highest road in the whole country! If you're feeling adventurous, cruise the paved road to Okraj Pass on the Czech-Polish border. Or, if you're up for another scenic drive, head to the top of Lucni Hora. So, pack your bags, charge your camera, and get ready for an unforgettable road trip!
hardWhere is Heimischgarten?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! I just discovered this insane road called Heimischgarten – it's a high-mountain pass sitting way up in the Swiss Alps, somewhere in the southern part of the country, near the Italian border. Seriously, the views are epic, especially when you get up to that alpine lake just past the pass – it's perched at a crazy altitude! Now, heads up: getting there is NOT for the faint of heart. The road is unpaved, with crazy narrow sections, loose gravel, and some seriously steep climbs. You’ll probably need a 4x4 with high clearance to make it. Starting from the bridge over the Vispa, it’s roughly to the top of the pass, and you gain of elevation in that short distance. That means an average gradient of , but be warned – some sections are way steeper, maxing out at ! FYI, this isn’t a year-round destination. Being one of the highest roads in Switzerland, Heimischgarten is usually snowed under from October to June (weather depending). So plan your trip for summer or early fall if you want to experience this wild ride!
moderateHow long is Coll Formic?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through Catalonia, Spain, right in the heart of the Montseny mountains. You're headed for Coll Formic, a sweet mountain pass that tops out at 1,145 meters (3,756 feet). The road, BV-5301, stretches for 18.2 km (11.3 miles) between Montseny and El Brull, winding its way through the stunning scenery. The climb is mostly gentle, but those last few kilometers will definitely get your attention, with gradients hitting almost 9%! Cycling fans, take note: this pass has even been part of the famous Volta a Catalunya race. Is it worth it? Absolutely! You'll find yourself smack-dab in the Natural Park of El Montseny, with the Matagalls mountain as your backdrop. At the summit (also called Collformic), there's a parking area and a restaurant where you can chill. Traffic is usually light, but heads up: it can get busy on weekends, especially during summer. Give yourself about 35 minutes to enjoy the drive, and soak it all in!