Collado del Puerto

Collado del Puerto

Spain, europe

Length

9.5 km

Elevation

2,205 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, thrill-seekers, let's talk about Collado del Puerto! Nestled high in the Sierra Nevada National Park in Granada, Andalucia, Spain, this peak sits pretty at 2,205 meters (that's 7,234 feet!).

Heads up: the road to the top is unpaved, so you'll want to tackle this one from late spring to early fall, unless you're cool with snow. A 4x4 is definitely your best bet.

Starting in the charming town of Lanteira, the climb stretches 9.5 kilometers, gaining 431 meters in elevation. We're talking an average gradient of 4.53%, so get ready for a steady climb! Expect incredible views and some challenging terrain. It's a must-do for any adventure traveler.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
9.5 km
Max Elevation
2,205 m
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in europe

Tire Integrity: The Physics of Grip and Safety on Technical Roadshard

Tire Integrity: The Physics of Grip and Safety on Technical Roads

🇬🇧 England

Okay, picture this: the Bealach na BĂ , aka "the Pass of the Cattle." It's nestled right in the Applecross peninsula in the Scottish Highlands. Clocking in at just over 11 miles, don't let the short distance fool you. This road is a beast! Starting near sea level, you'll climb rapidly, hitting a maximum elevation of 2,054 feet (626 meters). Prepare for hairpin turns that'll make your palms sweat, and single-track sections where passing requires some serious negotiation skills. Hazards? Oh, we've got 'em. Think blind summits, crazy steep gradients (some hitting nearly 20%), and unpredictable weather. One minute you're basking in sunshine, the next you're navigating through thick fog. But here's the payoff: the views! Absolutely breathtaking. Think rugged mountains, shimmering lochs, and coastal panoramas that stretch for miles. If you're looking for an unforgettable driving experience and jaw-dropping scenery, the Bealach na BĂ  is calling your name. Just be sure your brakes are good!

The old military road to Col de l’Infernet in the Hautes-Alpeshard

The old military road to Col de l’Infernet in the Hautes-Alpes

🇫🇷 France

# Col de l'Infernet: A Wild Alpine Adventure Ready for a seriously intense mountain drive? Col de l'Infernet sits pretty at 2,355m (7,726ft) in France's Hautes-Alpes, just outside the charming town of Briançon in the southeastern Alps. This isn't your typical scenic byway—it's a full-on adventure. The real star here is Fort de l'Infernet, a jaw-dropping 19th-century fortress perched even higher at 2,380m. Built between 1876-1878, this beauty was the last French fort constructed with traditional cut stone masonry and was designed to keep potential Italian invaders at bay. During WWII, this place actually saw action, trading fire with Italian forces across the valley. The fort housed 210 soldiers and packed some serious firepower—think 138mm, 155mm, and 220mm guns. Pretty cool, right? Now, about that drive. Fair warning: this ain't for the faint of heart. Starting from the paved D902, you're looking at roughly 9km (5.5 miles) of pure unpaved military trail. You'll climb nearly 1,000 meters with an average gradient of 10.45%—steep doesn't even begin to describe it. The road is narrow, exposed, and features sketchy slippery sections with some seriously gnarly drops. You'll absolutely need a 4x4, no exceptions. But here's the payoff: stunning panoramic views across the Clarée, Guisane valleys, and beyond. Plus, you'll pass scattered old military installations, gun emplacements, and barracks dotting the landscape. Winter? Basically forget about it. Snow can close this route anytime, typically making it impassable from late autumn through spring. Plan accordingly and you've got yourself an unforgettable mountain experience.

Monte Tombamoderate

Monte Tomba

🇮🇹 Italy

# Monte Tomba: A High-Alpine Adventure in Veneto Looking for an off-the-beaten-path mountain experience? Monte Tomba delivers. This stunning pass sits at 1,799 meters (5,902 feet) in Verona Province in Italy's Veneto region, offering serious altitude and seriously cool vibes. The route up is all gravel via Strada Provinciale 14—think rough, loose surfaces with the occasional washout to keep things interesting. Fair warning: skip this one after rain or snow unless you're driving a tank. Mother Nature wins those battles. Once you crest the summit, you'll find a hotel and communication tower waiting. Perfect spot for a breather, some food, and incredible views over the surrounding peaks. The whole experience has that authentic, rugged mountain-pass feel that makes for great stories (and even better photos). If you're game for ridge-road driving through some spectacular alpine scenery, Monte Tomba absolutely belongs on your bucket list.

A great road to Cormet de Roselend in the Alpsmoderate

A great road to Cormet de Roselend in the Alps

🇫🇷 France

# Cormet de Roselend Nestled in the Savoie department of southeastern France near the Italian border, Cormet de Roselend sits at a breezy 1,991m (6,532ft) elevation. The name itself—derived from the Latin "Culmen"—literally means summit, and boy, does it deliver on that promise. This iconic stretch is part of the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes and spans 39.5 km (24.54 miles) of fully paved bliss, connecting Beaufort in the Beaufortain valley to Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the Tarentaise Valley via routes D902 and D925. Fair warning: 22 hairpin turns await you, so bring your A-game driving skills. The climb is no joke. From Beaufort's side, you're looking at 20.32 km of ascending with 1,227 meters of elevation gain (averaging 6%, with punchy 8.9% sections). The Bourg-Saint-Maurice approach is slightly shorter at 19.35 km, but still packs 1,154 meters of climb with steeper 10% sections—topped out at a gnarly 12% through some sections. Don't be fooled by that modest 6% average; the road starts relatively gentle under tree cover before dropping you into a relentless sequence of 10 tight hairpins that'll keep your heart racing. Summer's the sweet spot for driving here, as winter closures are pretty standard at this altitude. The Tour de France has featured this pass multiple times, and it's easy to see why. The real showstopper? Lac de Roselend, the stunning reservoir you'll spot on the western side, plus those jaw-dropping Mont Blanc views when you pass by Vallée des Glaciers. Think endless alpine meadows, cowbell soundtracks, and scenery that just keeps getting better with every turn.