Collado de las Yeguas

Collado de las Yeguas

Spain, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,859 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Collado de las Yeguas

Nestled high in the mountains of Granada, Andalusia, Collado de las Yeguas sits at a breathtaking 2,859 meters (9,379 feet) above sea level. This is serious elevation—one of Spain's highest roads, no joke.

Getting up there is an adventure in itself. The route is a ski-station service road that doubles as a chairlift access trail, and it's genuinely steep. We're talking sections that hit 30% gradient, with loose gravel and rocky terrain that only gets gnarlier as you climb. The upper stretches are basically a boulder field on an incline.

Here's the catch: you've got a pretty narrow window to attempt this drive. Late August is really your only shot during summer. Even then, don't get cocky—snow can show up unexpectedly, and the wind here is relentless year-round. Winter? Brutally cold doesn't even cover it.

The combination of extreme altitude, unpredictable weather, those punishing gradients, and the generally unwelcoming conditions makes this a genuinely challenging drive. Altitude sickness is a real concern, and the road's accessibility is sketchy at best. This isn't a casual Sunday drive—it demands respect and serious preparation.

Where is it?

Collado de las Yeguas is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.1478, -2.7537

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,859 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
40.1478, -2.7537

Related Roads in europe

Sella dell’Auccia is worth the white-knuckle drivehard

Sella dell’Auccia is worth the white-knuckle drive

🇮🇹 Italy

# Sella dell'Auccia: Italy's Most Thrilling Alpine Challenge Ready for an adrenaline rush? The SP345B winds through Sella dell'Auccia, a jaw-dropping mountain pass perched at 2,108 meters (6,916 feet) in Brescia province, Lombardy. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—it's an adventure that'll make your heart pound. Stretching 17.4 km (10.81 miles), this road (officially Strada Provinciale 345B, aka Delle Tre Valli) is pure mountain magic. The route clings to the ridgeline above 2,000 meters for almost its entire length, offering spine-tingling views and stomach-dropping drops of hundreds of meters. Here's the kicker: most of those edges? Completely unguarded. In some sections, the road barely fits two vehicles side-by-side, making every curve an exercise in concentration. The journey kicks off from Passo del Maniva along the Anfo Ridge Road and wraps up at the SP 669 junction. You'll encounter a mix of surfaces—pavement at both ends, but gloriously rough gravel through the middle section. Expect rocks, potholes, and deteriorating surfaces, especially around bends. Despite the gnarly terrain, it's totally doable if you respect the rules: stick to the 20 km/h speed limit, keep your eyes forward, and never stop outside designated areas. Traversable in both directions, this road is for serious drivers only. Buckle up—you're in for the ride of your life.

A journey on the legendary Col de Tende-Colle di Tendahard

A journey on the legendary Col de Tende-Colle di Tenda

🇮🇹 Italy

# Col de Tende (Colle di Tenda): A Hairpin Heaven in the Alps If you're a sucker for switchbacks, buckle up—this mountain pass is basically heaven on four wheels. Located at 1,876m (6,154ft) where France and Italy shake hands, Col de Tende is genuinely one of the most hairpinned roads on the planet. We're talking 48 glorious turns that'll keep your steering wheel warm. Sitting between the Maritime Alps and the Ligurian Alps, this is the southernmost of the great Alpine passes, straddling the French Alpes-Maritimes and Italy's Piedmont region. The road itself is a blast from the past—literally an old military route, mostly paved with a gravel section near the top. The 7.5 km (4.66 miles) climb gains 603m with an average gradient of 8.04% (though it hits a gnarly 17% in places), and you're looking at 30-40 minutes of focused driving to reach the summit. Here's the kicker: this isn't just any road. Legend has it the Phoenicians laid it down centuries ago, followed by Greeks, Romans, and everyone in between. The entire ridgeline is studded with 19th-century Italian fortifications and ruins guarding the old border—it's like exploring a historical museum without the entrance fee. Fair warning though: winter makes this pass completely impassable, and there are some current complications. A 2017 landslide caused issues (mostly cleared now), but the adjacent tunnel—built way back in 1882 as the first major Alpine tunnel at 3,182m long—now requires one-way traffic with a light system changing every 15 minutes. Construction on a second tunnel is underway, which might mean dead ends and construction barriers, especially on the French side. Your best bet? Check conditions before you go, and be prepared for potential detours through the tunnel.

How long is the F208 (Fjallabaksleið nyrðri) Road?moderate

How long is the F208 (Fjallabaksleið nyrðri) Road?

🇮🇸 Iceland

F208, also known as Fjallabaksleið nyrðri, is one of Iceland's real off-road adventures! This totally unpaved track winds through the Central Highlands for 102 km (63 miles), connecting F26 (Sprengisandsleið) in the north to Route 1 in the south, near Grafarkirkja. Word to the wise: 4x4 vehicles only! This isn't a drive for your rental sedan. This route is usually open from June to October, but Icelandic weather is notoriously unpredictable. Closures are common due to flooding, especially after rain, as the route involves fording a dozen or so rivers. Glacial rivers swell as the day progresses, so plan accordingly. Expect a bumpy ride with potholes, rocks, and uneven terrain. Despite the challenges, F208 is absolutely worth it. The road serves up incredible views of volcanoes, lakes, and rivers. The ever-changing landscapes and vivid colors will leave you breathless. Set aside 3-4 hours to soak it all in (without stops).

Where is Alto de La Nava Grande?hard

Where is Alto de La Nava Grande?

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, picture this: Alto de La Nava Grande, a hidden gem tucked away in the Sierra de Guadarrama near Madrid. Locals just call it Alto de La Nava, and trust me, it lives up to the hype. It's a 20.8km climb from Manzanares el Real, gaining 1,114m in elevation — so buckle up! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking unpaved roads, the kind with gravel and loose rocks. The first part is pretty chill, but things get real after you pass the bridge. Get ready for "las famosas zetas de La Pedriza" — a wild series of 12 hairpin turns that'll test your skills. The last 1.5km? You'll probably want a high-clearance 4x4 for that rocky, steep section. When you finally make it to the top at 1,963m (6,440ft), you'll find a survey marker and mind-blowing 360-degree views over the Lozoya Valley and the Santillana reservoir. History buffs, take note: these heights were once part of the Spanish Civil War defense lines, and you can still spot old trenches nearby. A word of warning: vehicle access can be restricted to authorized forest vehicles, mountain bikers, and hikers only. So, check with the local authorities in Manzanares el Real before you go!