Collado de los Cadavales
Spain, europe
N/A
1,351 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, let's talk about Collado de los Cadavales, a seriously epic mountain pass tucked away in the Asturias region of northern Spain. We're talking a lofty 1,351 meters (4,432 feet) above sea level!
You'll find it nestled within the Sierra de la Cabra mountains. Be warned: this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road morphs into a gravelly, rocky, and sometimes grassy track as it climbs towards Pico Patana, hitting a peak of 1,526 meters (5,006 feet).
Think remote! You absolutely need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to conquer this beast. It's technically open year-round, but Mother Nature has the final say. Expect potential closures during winter's wrath. And remember, mountain weather is notoriously fickle, so be prepared for rapid changes! The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking.
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 1,351 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
extremeRoad trip guide: Conquering the Arch of Freedom in Bulgaria
🌍 Bulgaria
Way up in the northern-central Bulgarian mountains, straddling the Lovech and Plovdiv provinces, you'll find the Arch of Freedom. This concrete behemoth, also called the Arch of Liberty, stands proud at the top of Goraltepe peak, a cool 1,585 meters (5,200 feet) high! It's a 35-meter tribute to Bulgaria's liberation struggle, built to honor the Russian army's victory back in 1878 and the later Bulgarian-Russian unity after World War II. The views from the top are insane! On a clear day, you can soak in panoramic vistas of the Beli Osam and Troyan valleys, Sredna Gora, the Rhodopes, and Rila mountains. Plus, you'll get a sweet view of the Balkan Mountains' iconic peaks, including Botev, the tallest of them all. Now, here's the heads-up: the 1-kilometer (0.62-mile) road that winds up from Beklemeto-Troyan Pass is no longer the smooth ride it used to be. It's pretty rough now, almost like an unpaved trail, and super narrow – definitely a one-car-at-a-time situation! But hey, there's a parking area right by the monument, so you'll have a spot to leave your ride while you explore.
hardWhere is Nino Corsi Refuge?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're in stunning Val Martello, South Tyrol, nestled in the Italian Alps. You're headed to Rifugio Nino Corsi, a charming mountain refuge (also called Zufallhütte) perched at a breathtaking 2,245m (7,365ft). The area is gorgeous, right in the heart of Stelvio National Park, with views of the Ortler Alps that will knock your socks off. Bonus: there's a cool local history museum and a sweet little mountain chapel nearby. Now, the drive. It’s about 22.7 km (14.10 miles) from Coldrano, and it's an adventure in itself. Be warned, parts of the road are steep and narrow, so keep your wits about you! Just so you know, the last couple of kilometers are gravel and off-limits to cars, but don't sweat it, the views are worth the walk. Get ready for a climb of 1,343m, this road definitely isn't for the faint of heart, but the payoff at the top is incredible.
extremeTrafalgar Square: The Congestion Trap
🇬🇧 England
Okay, so London isn't exactly known for its winding mountain passes, but don't let that fool you – cycling here can be an adventure! Think of it as "urban danger," a unique challenge thanks to the city's crazy-busy streets and historic layouts. Take Trafalgar Square, for example. It's a total hotspot for congestion, with double-decker buses, black cabs, and cyclists all fighting for the same lane space. Without dedicated cycle lanes, it's a constant game of dodging side-swipe accidents and tourists who don't quite grasp the flow of traffic. Then there's the Rotherhithe Roundabout. It used to be a major headache for cyclists thanks to the insane amount of freight trucks heading to the tunnel. But now, they've completely revamped it with separated lanes, so cyclists and cars don't have to weave in and out of each other's way. And who could forget Elephant and Castle roundabout, once nicknamed the "Tour de Danger?" Seriously, it was *that* bad. Now, it's got a two-way segregated bypass and raised cycle lanes, so cyclists are safely separated from the big trucks. Turns out, all this segregation really works! Studies show injuries can drop by up to 65% when cyclists have their own dedicated lanes. It's like a high-speed bike highway, keeping them out of the blind spots of those massive buses. But until the whole city is connected, there are still plenty of "hairy" spots where you're sharing the road. London is definitely heading in the right direction, making things safer for cyclists. But it's a work in progress, and even a seemingly harmless roundabout can be unexpectedly dangerous.
hardPuerto de la Bobia
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto de la Bobia: Asturias' Epic Mountain Challenge If you're hunting for a seriously gnarly climb in Spain, Puerto de la Bobia in Asturias is calling your name. Sitting at a respectable 1,103 meters (3,618 feet) above sea level, this pass packs some serious punch for anyone brave enough to tackle it. Starting from the village of Molejón, you're looking at a 13.5-kilometer assault on your car's transmission and your own nerve. While the average gradient hangs around 7.4%, don't let that fool you—there are stretches where the road kicks up to a brutal 20%, making this climb genuinely intense. The pavement is decent enough, but it's tight and relentless. This isn't a road where you can zone out and cruise; you'll be fully engaged the entire way up, navigating hairpins and switchbacks that'll have your heart racing. The narrow asphalt and extreme steepness mean zero room for error, and your brakes will definitely be earning their keep on the descent. The reward? You get to experience one of Asturias' most formidable mountain passes and boast to friends that you conquered one of Spain's gnarliest climbs. Just make sure your vehicle is in top shape, your reflexes are sharp, and you're mentally prepared for a white-knuckle adventure that'll make for an unforgettable road trip story.