
Cap de Blanhiblar
Spain, europe
N/A
2,227 m
hard
Year-round
Alright adventure junkies, buckle up, because Cap de Blanhiblar in the Spanish Pyrenees is calling your name! Nestled high up in the Val d'Aran, within the Baqueira-Beret ski station, this peak clocks in at a cool 2,227 meters (that's 7,306 feet!).
Forget smooth sailing – this "road" is actually a gnarly chairlift access trail, strictly for the 4x4 pros. We're talking seriously steep inclines (up to 35%!), so heights are a no-go. Summer's your only window to tackle this beast, and even then, expect a brutal climb over rocky, slippery terrain that used to be ski slopes. You'll be hugging the unpaved ski-lift service road the whole way up. But trust me, the views from the top? Totally worth the white-knuckle drive!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,227 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhere is Jafra?
🇪🇸 Spain
Jafra, also known as Jafre del Garraf, is an located in Spain's Catalonia region. It sits on a hill at about 189 meters above sea level, and today only ruins remain. But Jafra is more than just a ghost town — it is wrapped in legends of Melinda, the mysterious “girl on the curve” , whose spirit is said to haunt the unpaved road leading to the village and the crumbling ruins within. The abandoned town is located in , southwest of Barcelona, in the northeastern part of the country, within the Parc Natural del Garraf What’s the history of Jafra? The first written record of Jafra dates back to . Life in the village was never easy: the land was , with very little water, making farming extremely difficult. People cultivated wheat, vines, and livestock (mainly goats and wool), while also hunting hares, partridges, and rabbits . There was even a small for producing brandy and selling wine. Decline and Abandonment of Jafra Jafra was always poor in resources, but the of the late 19th century devastated its vineyards, worsening the situation. Like many rural communities in Spain, it suffered a massive as people left for towns with running water, sewer systems, and better living conditions , the town was abandoned. The church and cemetery were desecrated , and the remains were transferred to Olivella. In the , there were still about in the area, of which and the rest to Olivella. Many of these later turned into or were sold as plots to outsiders. Since then, Jafra has remained in ruins. Only parts of the church of Santa Maria de Jafre still stand. Over time, the abandoned buildings were vandalized, robbed, and looted. Diputació de Barcelona of land. A project called began restoring the village in , but it was quickly abandoned, and today there are no plans to resume it. To limit vandalism and ghost hunters, all official access points have been closed off The Legend of Melinda, the “Niña de la Curva” The fame of Jafra is tied to the legend of , known locally as its own According to the story, a wealthy Austrian family moved into the masía El Maset de Dalt y de Baix . Their children suffered from a serious that forced them to live away from sunlight, isolated from the world. Visitors were forbidden. The mother died giving birth to , the family’s only daughter. Soon after, her older siblings died, likely from the illness. Overcome by grief and fear of losing Melinda, the father is said to have lost his sanity. One day, while chasing Melinda in the garden, she fell into a and disappeared forever — along with her father, who was never seen again. Since then, legends say her ghost still roams the streets and woods of Jafra Ghostly Sightings on the Road Travelers driving the unpaved road to the town claim to have seen Melinda appear, just like the classic tale of the around the ghost town, some say Melinda appears to out of danger, pointing the way to safety. Others have reported hearing in the cemetery or witnessing There are even accounts of in the skies above Jafra, adding to its reputation as one of the most mysterious places in Catalonia. Reaching Jafra involves narrow, winding mountain roads , adding to its eerie reputation, especially at night. While it is technically abandoned and official access has been restricted , some visitors still explore the site. The most notable ruins are: church of Santa María de Jafre Architectural Heritage Inventory of Catalonia , once the residence of the Baron of Jafra, now reduced to collapsed walls. and the old cemetery. Today, Jafra is officially abandoned and in ruins, but its mix of tragic legends, ghost stories, and paranormal activity Catalonia’s most haunted destinations How long is the road to Jafra? The road to the town is , but most passenger vehicles can handle it, especially when it’s dry. Starting from near the ruins of the abandoned town. How to drive the demanding road to Coll de Boixols? The steep unpaved road to Pic Bony de l'Aigua Blanca in the Pyrenees 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.
hardHow to get by car to Lago di Malciaussia?
🇮🇹 Italy
Lago di Malciaussia is a stunning high mountain lake sitting pretty at 1,823 m (5,980 ft) in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy. Tucked into the upper Valle di Viù in Piedmont's northwestern corner near the French border, this spot is an absolute gem for adventure seekers. Here's the cool part: the lake is named after the locality of Malciaussia, which actually got submerged when the lake was created. Right by the water, you'll find a cozy restaurant and hotel—perfect for refueling after your drive. The road itself, Strada Provinciale 32 (SP32), is a total classic. Built back in the 1920s-30s, it's paved but seriously narrow and relentlessly steep—we're talking sections that hit 23%! The final stretch turns to gravel, which marks the real beginning of alpine exploration territory. This is where the serious climbers and hikers kick off their adventures, including attempts on Rocciamelone (3,538 m) via the Ernesto Tazzetti alpine hut. Starting from the town of Margone at 1,413 m, you're looking at a 5.8 km (3.60 mile) push upward with 14 hairpin turns thrown in for good measure. That climb nets you 410 meters of elevation gain, averaging out to a 7.06% gradient—challenging but absolutely rewarding. The scenery throughout is absolutely phenomenal, and once you arrive at the lake, you're perfectly positioned for serious alpine walking and climbing adventures.
hardWhere is Covas do Monte?
🇵🇹 Portugal
Covas do Monte, a cute little Portuguese village, sits pretty at 536m (1,758ft) above sea level in the São Pedro do Sul municipality. Want to find it on a map? Head to the Viseu District, nestled in Portugal's Central Inland region. Now, about getting there... The road up to Covas do Monte, tucked away in the Serra da Gralheira mountains, is an adventure in itself! Think unpaved surfaces, seriously steep climbs, and sections that might make you pucker up they're so narrow. You'll peak at 554m (1,817ft). The climb kicks off from the M559-1 road and stretches for 3.8km (2.36 miles). In that short distance, you'll gain a hefty 241 meters in elevation. Expect an average gradient of 6.34%, but be ready for bursts of up to 10%! The views? Totally worth it.
extremePasso Pertica: Driving the 16 hairpins from Giazza to the High Lessinia
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo Pertica: A Wild Alpine Challenge Near Verona Tucked into the rugged heart of northern Italy's Verona Province, Passo Pertica is a seriously dramatic mountain pass that'll get your adrenaline pumping. Sitting at 1,522 meters (4,993 feet) above sea level, this high-altitude gateway opens into the wild, beautiful Lessinia Regional Nature Park—and the views alone are worth the white-knuckle drive. Starting from the village of Giazza, you've got a 9.7 km (6-mile) journey ahead of you, but don't let that short distance fool you. You're climbing a brutal 818 meters over that span, which translates to a relentless 8.43% average gradient. The road throws 16 sharp hairpin turns at you as it snakes up the mountainside, with very few moments where your engine can catch a break. It's intense. Here's where it gets interesting: the route starts as a proper paved road, but the asphalt politely disappears once you pass Rifugio Revolto. The final 2.9 km? Pure gravel—narrow, steep, and scattered with loose stones that'll test your traction on those tight upper hairpins. Rustic wooden fences line the edges in spots, with serious mountain slopes dropping away beside you. You'll want a vehicle with solid ground clearance for this finish. The landscape itself is spectacular—dramatic limestone cliffs, dense forests, and a secluded mountain atmosphere that feels worlds away from nearby Verona. The Rifugio Passo Pertica at the summit serves as a natural endpoint and a welcome respite. Fair warning though: this pass doesn't play nice with bad weather. Rain can make it impassable, and winter snow regularly closes the upper gravel section to all but specialized vehicles or hikers. Snow tends to linger well into spring, turning that 8% grade into a sketchy mess. Always check the weather forecast before heading up, and make sure your vehicle is genuinely prepared for Alpine conditions.