Cerro El Buitre

Cerro El Buitre

Spain, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,466 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Cerro El Buitre

Want to tackle one of Spain's highest mountain drives? Cerro El Buitre sits pretty at 2,466 meters (8,090 feet) in Almería's stunning Sierra Nevada National Park. Spoiler alert: this one's not for the faint of heart—or those with a fear of heights.

Here's the real deal: you're looking at a gravel and rocky road that gets seriously gnarly. It's steep, bumpy, and tipsy in places, with a scenic detour through the narrow Congosto de Ventamillo that'll make your palms sweat. Winter? Forget about it—the road basically closes. Wet conditions turn this into a muddy nightmare that demands serious driving chops.

This is absolutely a 4x4-only adventure. If unpaved mountain roads aren't your jam, keep scrolling. But if you're an experienced off-roader with nerves of steel and a vehicle that can handle it, you're in for an incredible ride through one of Andalusia's most dramatic landscapes.

Where is it?

Cerro El Buitre is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 39.9218, -2.6261

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,466 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
39.9218, -2.6261

Related Roads in europe

Where is Rifugio Angelo Bosi al Monte Piana?hard

Where is Rifugio Angelo Bosi al Monte Piana?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, picture this: You're heading up to Rifugio Angelo Bosi al Monte Piana, a mountain hut perched way up high at 7,257 feet! You'll find it in northeastern Italy's Dolomites, not far from the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks. History buffs, take note: this whole area saw some heavy fighting between Italian and Austrian troops in World War I, and there are still relics to be found. Now, about the road... it's an old military route that's been resurfaced, but don't let that fool you. It's a skinny, steep climb! Think mostly smooth asphalt, but with a couple of flat spots thrown in, plus some seriously gravelly patches on the sides. The road's only 3.41 miles long, starting from Misurina on the south side of Monte Piana. Just a heads-up, regular cars aren't allowed – it's taxi-only, though cyclists are welcome to tackle the climb! Get ready for some breathtaking views and a bit of a workout.

The journey is the destination along the Ötztal Glacier Road in the Alpsmoderate

The journey is the destination along the Ötztal Glacier Road in the Alps

🇦🇹 Austria

# The Ötztal Glacier Road: Austria's Ultimate Alpine Adventure Tucked away in Tyrol, Austria, the Ötztal Glacier Road (Ötztaler Gletscherstraße) is seriously one of the most jaw-dropping drives you can do in the Alps. Fair warning though—there's a sign at the start that reads "Mountain Road Only for Experienced Riders," and they're not joking around. This 13km stretch connects the town of Sölden straight up to two incredible glaciers: Rettenbach and Tiefenbach. The real showstopper? The famous 1.7km-long Rosi Mittermeier Tunnel connecting them—one of Europe's highest road tunnels. When you reach the top at Rettenbach, you'll spot a sign declaring it the "Highest road in the EU." At 2,830m (9,285 ft) above sea level, you're literally driving on top of the world in the Eastern Alps. The entire route is beautifully paved with excellent conditions, featuring a series of dramatic hairpin turns that'll have your hands gripping the wheel. Every curve throws a new breathtaking view at you, so definitely bring your camera. Oh, and here's a sweet perk: skiers with valid passes and cyclists get free access, even though it's normally a toll road. The road's become pretty famous—it even got its moment in the James Bond film Spectre. Built back in 1972 with grades ranging from 11-14%, it handles everything from heavy trucks to buses without breaking a sweat. Traffic stays light in summer, especially once you leave the lower sections. Now, the reality check: weather up here is unpredictable and intense. Snow chains are essential in winter, and the road only opens when avalanche risk is manageable. Bring proper gear year-round—sudden temperature drops and unexpected snow aren't uncommon, even in warmer months. Former cyclist Jan Ulrich famously called this climb "cruelty to animals," so pace yourself and respect the mountain. If you're into high-altitude hiking, this road is basically a gateway to adventure, with countless trailheads waiting to explore.

DN73A is a curvy road with 12 steep hairpin turns in Transylvaniahard

DN73A is a curvy road with 12 steep hairpin turns in Transylvania

🇷🇴 Romania

Get ready for an epic Romanian road trip! DN73A, or as the locals call it, "Paraul Rece" (Cold Stream Road), winds its way through the legendary Transylvania region. This paved road, located in Brașov County, is a total feast for the eyes, serving up incredible vistas of the Bucegi and Postăvarul mountains. The real thrill starts with a 21km stretch running from Râșnov to Predeal. Predeal is Romania's highest town, perched over 1,000m above sea level in the Prahova Valley. Hold on tight as you climb to the road's peak at 1,127m! You'll be tackling 12 seriously steep hairpin turns and some ramps that hit a wild 22% gradient. Word to the wise: winter driving can be super dicey. After the snow melts, the road needs some serious TLC with all the patching. But if you're up for an adventure, this curvy, steep climb is an absolute must-do!

Travel guide to the top of Col du Grand Renardextreme

Travel guide to the top of Col du Grand Renard

🇫🇷 France

# Col du Grand Renard Tucked away in the Savoie department of France's Rhône-Alpes region, Col du Grand Renard sits at a breathtaking 2,455m (8,054ft) and is absolutely not for the faint of heart. This is serious mountain pass territory. Fair warning: the road here is intense. We're talking gravel all the way, following old unpaved ski-lift service roads with a rocky, loose surface that'll keep you on your toes. Plenty of slippery gravel to navigate, though thankfully the gradient never gets completely bonkers. Still, you'll want excellent vehicle control and nerves of steel. The real kicker? Being this high up means Mother Nature calls the shots—the pass can shut down without warning whenever snow decides to roll through. That's just part of the adventure at this elevation. The Alpine scenery is worth every white-knuckle moment, though. This is raw, rugged mountain beauty that'll stay with you long after you've conquered it.