
A scenic paved road to Puerto de Navafría
Spain, europe
23 km
1,775 m
hard
Year-round
# Puerto de Navafría
Ready to tackle one of Spain's most thrilling mountain passes? Welcome to Puerto de Navafría, sitting pretty at 1,775 meters (5,823 feet) right on the border between Castile and Leon and Madrid.
This 23-kilometer (14-mile) beauty winds through the heart of the country, connecting N110 near Navafría to M604 near Lozoya as it cuts north-south through the landscape. Fair warning though—while the M-637 and SG-612 routes are fully paved, they're narrow, bumpy, and seriously steep. We're talking maximum gradients hitting 10% in some sections, which is exactly why the Spanish Vuelta race decided it was the perfect place to challenge cyclists.
The drive itself? Absolutely stunning. You'll climb through dense forests in the Sierra de Guadarrama, with panoramic views that just keep getting better as you gain elevation. Once you reach the summit, you'll find a ski station ready to welcome you—making this pass a year-round destination depending on conditions and season.
So buckle up, take it slow on those winding curves, and prepare yourself for one seriously memorable Spanish mountain experience. This isn't just a drive; it's a test of nerve and a feast for the eyes.
Where is it?
A scenic paved road to Puerto de Navafría is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 39.5426, -2.9982
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 23 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,775 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 39.5426, -2.9982
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