Alto de la Cruz de la Demanda
Spain, europe
15 km
1,855 m
hard
Year-round
# Alto de la Cruz de la Demanda
Nestled on the border between Castile and León and La Rioja in northwestern Spain sits Alto de la Cruz de la Demanda, a stunning mountain peak towering at 1,855 meters (6,085 feet). The road up? That's LR-415, and let me tell you, it's an adventure.
This Category 1 pass starts in Ezcaray and stretches 15 kilometers of paved road that'll definitely keep you on your toes. You'll climb 890 meters total, averaging 5.9% grade—but don't let that fool you. The second half gets seriously gnarly, with pitches hitting 14.2% that'll test both your car and your nerve. The road narrows in places and features a few hairpin turns that add to the drama of the ascent.
One of the cool things? This climb's been featured in Spain's prestigious Vuelta race, so you know it's legit. Traffic is refreshingly light, and the road offers that wonderfully exposed feeling where you really feel the elevation gain. Just note that it's fairly exposed, so conditions matter—this pass closes regularly between November and April when snow and ice make things dicey.
If you're hunting for a challenging climb with real character and incredible mountain scenery, this one definitely delivers.
Where is it?
Alto de la Cruz de la Demanda is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 41.3738, -4.4453
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 15 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,855 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 41.3738, -4.4453
Related Roads in europe
hardCol de Chassoure in Valais is recommended for drivers with strong nerves
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Col de Chassoure: Switzerland's Alpine Adventure Ready for an unforgettable mountain experience? The Col de Chassoure sits pretty at 2,739m (8,986ft) in the Entremont district of Valais, southwestern Switzerland—and trust me, getting there is half the fun. Starting from Verbier, this unpaved trail is basically the ultimate 4x4 playground. Think hairpin turns that'll make your head spin, a genuinely bonkers tunnel carved into the mountainside, and a succession of other mountain passes that keep the adrenaline flowing. Oh, and the scenery? Absolutely stunning alpine lakes scattered throughout, plus you might even spot a giant stork hanging around. Fair warning though: the road's no joke. Loose gravel, narrow sections, and steep climbs mean you'll need serious vehicle clearance—only 4x4s allowed here, and private cars are firmly off the menu. Mother Nature has the final say too, so snow can shut things down anytime. One of Switzerland's highest accessible roads, Col de Chassoure is genuinely special. Just don't underestimate what you're taking on—this peak earns its respect.
hardThe Wild Road to Tomul Pass
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Tomül Pass: A Hidden Alpine Gem Tucked away in Switzerland's Graubünden canton sits the Tomül Pass, a breathtaking high-altitude route that sits at 2,418 meters (7,933 feet) above sea level. What makes this pass truly special? It's got serious historical vibes and a wild backstory. The unpaved "Path of the Poles" is the main attraction here—a narrow 2.5-meter-wide road that stretches from Gäste- und Ferienhaus Wanna up to Alp Tomül. The road was carved out in the 1940s by Polish soldiers interned during World War II, who worked on everything from defense installations to infrastructure projects across the Swiss-Italian border. Pretty incredible when you think about it. Fair warning: this isn't your typical leisurely mountain drive. The route gets seriously steep—we're talking up to an 18% gradient in sections—with tight switchbacks bordered by charming dry stone walls to keep things interesting. Some stretches have been reinforced with bumpy pavement to help with traction, which you'll definitely appreciate. The 5.3-kilometer (3.29-mile) ascent from the starting point climbs 690 meters with an average gradient of 13.01%. It's relentless but rewarding. The pass itself has been important since Roman times and became a vital trade link for the Walser communities in the surrounding valleys after the 1300s. It only became truly safe to cross around 1880 when a proper carriage road was built. This is alpine driving at its most authentic—unpaved, steep, and steeped in history. Absolutely worth the adventure.
hardWhere is Colle del Nivolet?
🇮🇹 Italy
Colle del Nivolet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.621m (8,599ft) above sea level, located in the northern part of Italy. It’s featured in The Italian Job film; the final bus crash scene probably being the most famous. It's one of the highest roads in Italy Where is Colle del Nivolet? The pass is located on the boundary between the Aosta Valley and Piemonte regions, in the northern part of the country, high in the Eastern group of the Graian Alps, in the heart of the Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso (the oldest in Italy). There are three artificial lakes located immediately below the pass: , Lago Agnel, and Lago di Ceresole. Is the road to Colle del Nivolet paved? The road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called Strada Provinciale 50 (SP50). The road took a decade to build from 1953 to 1963 to service the two hydroelectric dams up high. Is Colle del Nivolet challenging? The road looks even more incredible when you have it all in front of you. It is one of those roads you really wish you would drive at least once in your lifetime, with 33 hairpin turns. Once you reach higher altitudes, the views become more breathtaking, and the road starts to feel more dangerous not only because of the narrow width but also because of the absence of any safety barriers. The road is thrilling, breathtaking, dangerous, and one of a kind. It is narrow, and on a busy day, you can forget about going fast in a car because there are too many blind corners to watch out for. The road can get a little narrow at times. Sometimes the railings are missing. If you are afraid of heights, this road can sometimes get a little too exciting. Is Colle del Nivolet steep? The road has been featured in the Giro d'Italia race. Starting at Locana, the ascent is 40.5km (25 miles) long with an elevation gain of 1.907 meters. The average percentage is 4.7%. It hits a 12.9% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. The steepest part of the climb is some great hairpins below the two dams. A 3.5km long tunnel (Tunnel Ceresole), lit and wide, on the way to the summit, is one of the steepest tunnels in the Alps with gradients of around 12-14%. Beyond the pass, the paved road descends for a couple of kilometers, and approximately 1.6 km north of Colle del Nivolet, at an elevation of 2.532m above sea level, the road ends. It’s paved and there’s a barrier. There are a couple of more lakes and a little restaurant – it’s just over the Piemonte/Aosta border. After the barrier, the road becomes a rough track only suitable for mountain bikes and dedicated off-road vehicles. This track is 4.8 km long and ends at an elevation of 2.415m above sea level. Which mountain pass was The Italian Job filmed? The windy road to the summit offers both spectacular scenery and endless amounts of curves. It was the location of several scenes in the film The Italian Job, including the iconic final bus crash. Is Colle del Nivolet open? Colle del Nivolet is closed from 15th October to 15th May. There is also a driving ban on the last six kilometers of the road for all private motor vehicles on Sundays and public holidays between 10th July to 28th August. Driving the Via del Sale: A High-Altitude 4x4 Road in the Ligurian Alps The military road to Monte Jafferau was built in 1886 Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardCol Vidal
🇮🇹 Italy
# Col Vidal: A High-Alpine Adventure Ready for some serious altitude? Col Vidal sits pretty at 1,876 meters (6,154 feet) above sea level in the heart of Belluno Province, nestled in Veneto's stunning northeastern corner of Italy. What you're getting here is no smooth cruise—this is an old military gravel track that demands respect. The road is seriously narrow and relentlessly steep, making every switchback feel like an accomplishment. But here's the payoff: when you finally reach the summit, you'll find yourself at Forte Alto di Col Vidal, an impressive WWI fortress that's equal parts history and wow factor. This isn't a route for the faint of heart or your average sedan, but if you're up for a wild, raw mountain experience with incredible views and tangible history waiting at the top, Col Vidal absolutely delivers. It's the kind of drive that makes for unforgettable stories.