A wild road to Pico de las Nieves in the Canary Islands

A wild road to Pico de las Nieves in the Canary Islands

Spain, europe

Length

1.4 km

Elevation

1,942 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

# Pico de las Nieves

Nestled in the heart of Gran Canaria in Spain's Canary Islands, Pico de las Nieves sits pretty at 1,942m (6,371ft), making it the island's second-highest peak. And honestly? The drive up is absolutely worth it.

The route—marked as GC-134—is one of the best roads you'll find in the entire archipelago, and it's completely paved. Starting from GC-130, you're looking at a short but punchy 1.4 km (0.86 miles) climb with some serious steepness, hitting up to 10% gradient on the trickier sections. The whole area is part of Gran Canaria's World Reserve of the Biosphere, which adds to the special vibe.

Now, here's the thing: a military base occupies most of the plateau at the top (complete with that distinctive soccer ball-shaped radar), so you can't explore everywhere. But the natural viewpoint at the summit? That's all yours. On clear days, you get sweeping views across half the island and can even spot Tenerife's iconic Pico del Teide in the distance. The sky up here has this surreal, deep denim blue that photos just can't capture.

Fair warning though—trade wind clouds love hanging around the summit, and this place gets seriously windy and wet. Pick a calm, sunny day for your visit, and you'll have an unforgettable experience.

Where is it?

A wild road to Pico de las Nieves in the Canary Islands is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 38.8378, -5.1850

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
1.4 km
Max Elevation
1,942 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
38.8378, -5.1850

Related Roads in europe

Alpe di Geseroextreme

Alpe di Gesero

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Alpe di Gesero: A High Alpine Adventure in Ticino Tucked away in the Lepontine Alps of Switzerland's Ticino canton, Alpe di Gesero sits at a challenging 1,774 meters (5,816 feet) above sea level. If you're up for tackling this mountain pass, you've got two distinct routes to choose from. Coming up from Arbedo, you're looking at a 15.7 km (9.8 mi) climb with an average gradient of 9.7%—though it can spike up to a gnarly 18% in places. The road is paved, which sounds nice in theory, but don't expect wide lanes. It's narrow and demands your full attention. Prefer the Roveredo approach? That's a similar 15.5 km (9.6 mi) haul with a slightly steeper average gradient of 9.8% and a maximum of 13%. Here's where it gets interesting: the surface is rough and ready—a sketchy mix of gravel, asphalt, and grass growing right down the middle. And it's *incredibly* narrow. This route definitely feels more raw and less forgiving than its Arbedo counterpart. One thing to watch for: as you approach Alpe di Cadinello, you'll encounter the Galleria di Cadolcia, an unlit tunnel carved into the mountain. It's long, it's dark, and let's just say it'll get your heart racing. Definitely not for the faint of heart—keep your headlights on and your nerves steady.

Fear and adrenaline: Traversing the terrifying Vitim River Bridge in Siberiaextreme

Fear and adrenaline: Traversing the terrifying Vitim River Bridge in Siberia

🌍 Russia

# The Vitim River Bridge: Siberia's Most Terrifying Crossing Ever heard of a bridge so sketchy that crossing it feels like a badge of honor? Welcome to the Kuandinsky Bridge in Russia's Trans-Baikal Region, where an old railway structure spanning the Vitim River has become legendary among adventure seekers. This isn't your average road crossing. Built back in the 1980s for trains, the 570-meter (1,870-foot) bridge sits just 50 feet above the fast-moving Vitim River—a major tributary of the Lena River. Here's where it gets wild: it's only six feet wide. That's barely wider than most cars' wheelbases. No railings. No safety features. Just you, your vehicle, and a whole lot of nerve. The bridge's surface? Rotting wooden planks laid over a decaying metal frame that hasn't seen proper maintenance in four decades. In winter, those planks turn into an icy death trap with zero traction. Summer's no picnic either—the wood is slippery, cracked, and frankly, sketchy. The crossing takes about three minutes if you know what you're doing, but one wrong move and you're breaking through to the river below. Here's the kicker: if your car does punch a hole in the planking, you better have a repair kit handy. The next person using the bridge will be fixing it themselves. That's just how things work in remote Siberia. Yet somehow, this rickety structure is the lifeline connecting the small village of Kuanda (population 1,500) to the outside world. About 34 people have successfully crossed it—they even created a Facebook page to celebrate their survival. If you're crazy enough to attempt it, just know you're joining an elite (and slightly unhinged) group of adventurers.

Where is Torreta de l'Orri?moderate

Where is Torreta de l'Orri?

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Towering high in the Spanish Pyrenees, in Lleida province, you'll find Torreta de l'Orri. This peak, also known as Pic de l'Orri, hits an impressive 2,439m (8,001ft), making it one of Spain's highest drives! What's up there? Think communication hubs and a television antenna – civilization meets the wild! The road? Well, it's a bit of a beast! Forget your low-rider; this is strictly 4x4 territory. It's unpaved and a chairlift access trail, so be prepared for a bumpy ride! And in winter? Forget about it – this road is a no-go zone. The stats: the road stretches for 5.7 km (3.54 miles), climbing 436 meters with an average gradient of 7.64%. Get ready for some stunning views and a serious off-road experience!

Malga Palazzo: Tackling Europe's Steepest Road in Italy's Dolomitesmoderate

Malga Palazzo: Tackling Europe's Steepest Road in Italy's Dolomites

🇮🇹 Italy

# Scanuppia-Malga Palazzo: Europe's Most Brutal Climb Nestled in the stunning Dolomites of northern Italy's Trentino region, Scanuppia-Malga Palazzo sits at 1,571 meters (5,154 feet) and serves as the gateway to what might just be the steepest paved road climb on the planet. The magic starts in the tiny village of Besenello, where you'll begin an 8-kilometer (5-mile) assault that'll test every fiber of your cycling legs—or your car's transmission. We're talking about gaining a whopping 1,317 meters of elevation, which works out to an eye-watering 18.1% average gradient. But here's the kicker: sections of this beast hit a terrifying 42.8% slope. Built way back in the 16th century, Salita Scanuppia is tucked away within the Riserva regionale Scanuppia, and it's earned its fearsome reputation for good reason. The road is paved—well, mostly. You'll find stretches of concrete mixed in with asphalt, but don't expect a smooth ride. The surface has this intentional "wavy" quality to it, almost like ripples frozen in concrete. Sounds weird? It is. But there's a purpose: those undulations are designed to grip your tires when snow and ice take over during winter months. This isn't your average mountain pass. It's a raw, unforgiving challenge set against one of Europe's most beautiful backdrops. For cyclists and driving enthusiasts alike, Scanuppia-Malga Palazzo is the ultimate bucket-list climb.