
A wild unpaved road to Alto del Chorrillo
Spain, europe
23.3 km
2,691 m
extreme
Year-round
# Alto del Chorrillo: Spain's Alpine Adventure
Ready for an adrenaline rush? Alto del Chorrillo sits pretty at 2,691 meters (8,828 feet) above sea level in Granada's Sierra Nevada mountains—making it one of Spain's most impressive high-altitude drives. This isn't your typical Sunday cruise, folks.
The journey follows Camino de los Franceses (also called Camino del Mulhacén), a wild 23.3km stretch connecting Veleta peak to the charming village of Capileira. Fair warning: you'll absolutely need a 4x4 for this beast. The road is rough, rocky, and throws everything at you—hairpin curves, steep grades, and those heart-pounding dropoffs that'll test your nerve. Alpine lakes dot the route, offering stunning photo ops if you can catch your breath between switchbacks.
Winter? Don't even think about it. This place becomes impassable when the snow hits, with avalanches, heavy snowfall, and landslides turning it into a no-go zone. Ice patches are frequent, and landslides are a real concern year-round.
Here's the catch: this is serious terrain. If unpaved mountain roads aren't your jam, or if heights make you queasy, find a different adventure. The road demands respect and experienced driving skills. It's steep, it's technical, and it's unforgiving.
Oh, and one more thing—bicycles only are allowed to protect the national park's wilderness, so plan accordingly.
Where is it?
A wild unpaved road to Alto del Chorrillo is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.2171, -3.9973
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 23.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,691 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 40.2171, -3.9973
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