Collado del Alguacil
Spain, europe
172 km
1,896 m
hard
Year-round
# Collado del Alguacil: A Sierra Nevada Lung-Buster
Ready to test your nerves and your car's engine? Collado del Alguacil sits pretty at 1,896m (6,220ft) in Spain's stunning Sierra Nevada range, nestled within Andalusia's national park. Fair warning: this isn't a leisurely Sunday drive.
Starting from Pinos Genil, you're looking at a 17.2km climb with an average gradient of 6.6%—but don't let that fool you. The road itself is narrow and brutally steep, with gradients hitting a tooth-gritting 20% at their worst. The real drama unfolds in the final two kilometers, where things get seriously gnarly. The second-to-last kilometer? That's where the pass dishes out its meanest punishment, with the steepest pitches of the entire ascent.
The asphalt's decent, at least, but grip that steering wheel tight. On the flip side, the views are absolutely worth your white knuckles. As you climb, you'll be rewarded with magnificent vistas of the snowy peaks of Mulhacén and Veleta dominating the horizon—genuine, breathtaking Sierra Nevada scenery that'll remind you why you're putting your driving skills through this beautiful punishment.
Where is it?
Collado del Alguacil is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 41.6699, -4.2801
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 172 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,896 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 41.6699, -4.2801
Related Roads in europe
hardA paved road to Alto de la Pandera
🇪🇸 Spain
# Alto de la Pandera: Spain's Steep Mountain Challenge Perched at 1,840 meters (6,036 feet) in Jaén province, Andalusia, Alto de la Pandera is a serious mountain pass that'll get your adrenaline pumping. The road up is paved, but don't let that fool you—it's narrow and brutally steep, with sections hitting a jaw-dropping 24 percent gradient in an area called El Chaparral. Fair warning: a military base sits at the summit, so you're sharing this peak with some important infrastructure. This pass is legit enough to have featured in Spain's prestigious Vuelta a España cycling race, which tells you everything you need to know about its difficulty and notoriety. You've got two main routes to choose from depending on where you start. Coming from Valdepeñas de Jaén? That's the shorter option at 15 km with 931 meters of elevation gain (averaging 6.2 percent). Prefer a longer journey? The Los Villares approach stretches 24 km with 1,237 meters of gain and a more manageable 5.2 percent average grade. Either way, you're looking at a challenging climb through beautiful Spanish mountain terrain—just be prepared for those punishing gradients and keep your vehicle in top shape.
moderateWhere is Alto de Carrascoy?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, buckle up thrill-seekers, because Alto de Carrascoy in the Murcia region of Spain is a beast of a climb! Nestled in the stunning Sierra de Carrascoy y El Valle Regional Park in southeastern Spain, this peak tops out at 1,062m (3,484ft). The road, also known as Pico de La Maza, is a 9.5km (5.9 miles) dead-end paved route that kicks off from the RM-603 road near Casas Nuevas de la Costera. Don't let the "paved" part fool you, though—the tarmac can be pretty rough in spots! Over that distance, you'll be battling a whopping 891 meters of elevation gain. And when I say "battle," I mean it. The average gradient is a leg-burning 9.37%, but don't be fooled; the first 6km average almost 12%, with sections maxing out at a lung-busting 18%! Just when you think you've conquered it, the last couple of kilometers tease you with a false flat and even a bit of descent. The summit is crowned with antennas and a communications tower, so enjoy the views as your reward for all that hard work!
extremeWhere is Karlsbader Hütte?
🇦🇹 Austria
Okay, picture this: You're heading to the Karlsbader Hütte, nestled high in the Austrian Alps near the border with… well, let's just say a neighboring country! This ain't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a mix of paved and unpaved road that throws you straight into mountain adventure. It's a lung-buster, no joke! Some sections crank up to a ridiculously steep gradient – think "immense" is the only word for it. The whole route climbs, winding up, up, up for . You'll gain a whopping in elevation, averaging out to a pretty serious gradient the whole way. Now, here's the catch: Forget driving. The road is unpaved in parts and closed to cars and motorcycles, which means you're hoofing it or biking. But trust me, the views from the Karlsbader Hütte, chilling next to the crystal-clear Laserzsee lake in the heart of the , are worth every drop of sweat. Just remember, winter's a no-go – this beauty is snowed in.
extremeA Truly Outstanding 4x4 Adventure to Belvedere Mogos
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in Romania's Vâlcea County, south of Sibiu, awaits Belvedere Mogoș, a viewpoint sitting pretty at 1,994m (6,541ft). This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about Via Strategica (Strategic Road), arguably Romania's most epic unpaved high road, clinging to the 2,000-meter mark. Picture this: jaw-dropping views overlooking Lake Vidra as you ascend. The road itself? A rugged, rocky beast built by the Germans during WWI as a crucial link between Transylvania and Muntenia. Now, for the nitty-gritty: this road is *rough*. Expect large stones, steep inclines, and a serious test of your driving skills. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's essential. Seriously, leave the 4x2 at home. The journey starts at Curmătura Vidruței, a 1,589m (5,213ft) high mountain pass on the DN7A Road. From there, it's a 3.6 km (2.23 miles) climb to the belvedere, gaining 382m with an average gradient of 10.61%. A word of caution: this road is usually snowed in from late October to late June/early July, so plan your trip accordingly. But trust me, the scenery is worth the challenge!