ALP-822 in Almeria is not your road if you don't like heights
Spain, europe
10.8 km
189 m
hard
Year-round
# ALP-822: Spain's White-Knuckle Coastal Masterpiece
Nestled in the dramatic eastern reaches of Almería, Andalusia, ALP-822 is the kind of road that'll either make you feel like a fearless adventurer or grip the steering wheel so hard your knuckles turn white. No in-between.
This 10.8 km (6.71 miles) ribbon of asphalt stretches west to east from Níjar to San José, and honestly? It earned its 2015 recognition as one of the world's best roads for good reason. Just know what you're signing up for if you're queasy about heights.
The road is mostly unpaved, winding its way along the coast while cutting through the Sierra de Alhamilla range like it's got something to prove. You'll climb to 189m (620ft) above sea level, with some sections hitting a brutal 16% gradient that'll test both your car and your nerves. Fair warning: trucks and trailers are restricted here, especially on weekends and during summer months—and the road can close without warning whenever weather decides to throw a tantrum.
Carved through Europe's only warm desert climate, this isolated stretch delivers jaw-dropping geological scenery that looks almost alien. Prepare for powerful coastal winds and those heart-stopping barrier-free stretches. Budget around 90 minutes to crawl through safely—the road's barely wide enough for two cars to pass.
Oh, and yeah, this is where they filmed Indiana Jones and The Never Ending Story. Pretty cool, right?
Where is it?
ALP-822 in Almeria is not your road if you don't like heights is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 42.4357, -2.6401
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 10.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 189 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.4357, -2.6401
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