Cerro del Gargantón

Cerro del Gargantón

Spain, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

1,789 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're near the border of Castile and León and the Community of Madrid in Spain, and you've got a trusty 4x4, you HAVE to check out Cerro del Gargantón.

This mountain pass climbs to a cool 1,789 meters (that's 5,869 feet!). The road? Let's just say it's an adventure. Think wide, gravelly, and rocky – you'll definitely feel those bumps!

Keep an eye on the weather, though; thunderstorms can turn this road into a serious challenge, or even make it impassable. Also, this area is popular with parachuters, so scan the skies!

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Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
1,789 m
Difficulty
hard

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