Collado de la Mina
Spain, europe
N/A
2,024 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so picture this: you're cruising through the heart of Andalusia, Spain, in Granada province. You're heading up to Collado de la Mina, a mountain pass that sits way up high at 2,024 meters (6,640 feet). This isn't your average Sunday drive though; you're in the Parque Natural Sierra de Baza, nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and the road to the top is pure gravel.
Seriously, it's an old mining road, so be prepared. Storms can roll in quick, turning the route into a 4x4 challenge or even washing it out completely. Winter? Brutal. But trust me, it's worth it.
Keep an eye out for Refugio Prados del Rey, a cool mountain lodge near the top. And the scenery? Incredible. Think lush vegetation, huge, damp meadows, and ancient pine trees that have been standing guard for centuries. Just remember to check the weather and maybe air down those tires—adventure awaits!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,024 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
extremeDriving the steep road to Montduver is not a piece of cake
🇪🇸 Spain
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk Montduver! This mountain peak, chilling at 831 meters in Spain's Valencian Community, is a Costa Blanca gem. The road? Newly paved with concrete, but hold on – it's *tight*. Like, two-average-cars-can't-pass-each-other tight. If your reversing skills are rusty, maybe skip this one. The summit, sporting some serious communication towers, rewards you with a 360° panorama of the area and the sparkling Mediterranean. Just a heads up, the final 2.1km are off-limits to cars. Now for the climb! Starting from La Drova (on the CV-675), it's a short but intense 4.2 km ride, packing in 464 meters of elevation gain. We're talking serious gradients, peaking at a leg-burning 21%! The average is a hefty 11.04%. The good news? You'll pretty much have the road to yourself!
hard38 hairpin turns to Col de la Croix de Coeur in Switzerland
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Col de la Croix de Coeur Buckle up for one seriously epic ride! This high mountain pass sits at 2,178m (7,145ft) in Switzerland's Valais region, straddling the line between the Entremont and Martigny districts in the southwestern corner of the country. The Route de la Croix-de-Coeur stretches 43 km (26 miles) from Sembrancher up to Riddes, and let me tell you—it doesn't pull any punches. You're looking at a mix of paved and unpaved terrain, with that final stretch rolling along a gravel track that'll keep you on your toes. The gradient ramps up to a gnarly 12% in places, and you'll navigate five tunnels and a whopping 38 hairpin turns. Fair warning: most of them aren't protected by guardrails, so confidence and steady hands are essential. The payoff? Absolutely stunning panoramas. From the summit, you'll catch incredible views of the Combins and Mont Blanc to the south, while the Bernese Alps dominate the northern horizon. There's even a little restaurant up top (Restaurant La Croix-de-Coeur) where you can celebrate your conquest with a well-deserved meal, plus a parking area to catch your breath and snap some photos. This isn't a casual Sunday drive—it's a thrilling mountain challenge that rewards the brave with unforgettable scenery.
moderateA paved mountain road to Shipka Pass in Bulgaria
🌍 Bulgaria
Okay, road trip lovers, listen up! Shipka Pass in Bulgaria is calling your name. Situated right on the border of Stara Zagora and Gabrovo provinces, this beauty climbs to 1,190m (3,904ft) in the Stara Planina Mountain, nestled within the Bulgarka Nature Park. History buffs, take note: this pass has seen some serious battles! We're talking about National Road I-5 (yep, that's part of the E85), and rumor has it, this is the highest paved pass in the whole country! The road is fully paved and even leads 12km east to the summit of Buzludzha. The whole shebang stretches for 44.4 km (27.58 miles) between Palauzovo and Kazanluk, winding north to south. Generally, you can hit this road year-round, but keep an eye on the weather forecast in winter – things can get dicey, and closures are possible. The views from the top, located in Shipka National Park, are simply breathtaking. And while you're there, you can't miss the Shipka Memorial, a towering monument commemorating the heroes of past battles. Oh, and did I mention you'll be cruising through the Valley of Roses on your way? Perfume lovers, rejoice! This is where most of the world's rose extract comes from.
hardWhere is Larche Pass?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between France and Italy, high up in the Alps at the Col de Larche-Colle della Maddalena! This epic mountain pass climbs to a whopping 2,005 meters (6,578 feet), connecting the Stura valley in Italy with the Ubaye valley in France. You'll find the Italian side winding its way up as the Strada Statale 21, while the French side greets you as the D900. The road's paved all the way, so no need for a 4x4, but be prepared for a thrilling ride! Nestled between the Cottian and Maritime Alps, this pass is usually open year-round, *unless* Mother Nature decides to dump a whole lot of snow. At the top, you'll find a souvenir shop and plenty of parking, plus a statue honoring cycling legend Fausto Coppi's victory in the 1949 Giro d'Italia. The drive itself is a bit of a challenge, thanks to 16 hairpin turns that’ll keep you on your toes. Cyclists beware: the French side from Les Gleizolles is officially off-limits due to rockfall risks! But, the climb itself is pretty manageable, never getting too steep. The entire pass stretches for about 12.3 kilometers (7.64 miles), taking you from Val-d'Oronaye in France to Argentera in Italy. Get ready for views that will absolutely take your breath away!