Collado La Magdalena

Collado La Magdalena

Spain, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,183 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Collado La Magdalena: A High-Alpine Adventure

Ready for an adrenaline rush? Collado La Magdalena sits at a thrilling 2,183m (7,162ft) in the heart of Aragón's northeastern mountains, and the route up—called Pista de Las Blancas—is definitely not for the faint of heart.

This is a proper alpine challenge, complete with gravel, rocks, and plenty of bumpy sections that'll keep you on your toes. You'll need serious 4x4 credentials and genuine confidence with heights to tackle this one. We're talking gradients that hit 18% in places, plus switchbacks, tight turns, and narrow passages that'll test even seasoned off-roaders. The road twists relentlessly—up, down, left, right—keeping you engaged every single meter.

The good news? The scenery is absolutely stunning. You'll be treated to panoramic views across the Aragón river valley and the Aísa-Borau valley as you climb higher. The trail tops out at the Refugio Militar López Huici, a mountain hut where a barrier marks the official end of the road.

Fair warning: this route is only passable from June to October (weather dependent), and afternoon thunderstorms can transform conditions in minutes. You'll also need to grab a permit from the Town Hall in Borau before you head out—vehicles aren't allowed up here year-round.

If you've got the skills, the vehicle, and the nerve, this is genuinely one of Spain's most rewarding mountain drives.

Where is it?

Collado La Magdalena is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.9050, -2.5308

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,183 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
40.9050, -2.5308

Related Roads in europe

A narrow road with 28 hairpin turns and 9 tunnels to Monte San Simeoneextreme

A narrow road with 28 hairpin turns and 9 tunnels to Monte San Simeone

🇮🇹 Italy

# Monte San Simeone: A Hidden Alpine Adventure Tucked away in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region near the Slovenian border, Monte San Simeone sits at 1,208 meters in the southeastern Carnic Prealps. While it's not the tallest peak around, its isolation gives it serious character and jaw-dropping relative elevation changes. The Strada del Monte San Simeone is absolutely not for the faint of heart. We're talking single-lane concrete (a bit weathered, honestly) with zero guardrails and a brutal 12% gradient in places. The 11.1 km climb from SP36 packs in 28 hairpin turns—including 9 through dark, unlit tunnels where you literally can't see what's coming. Seriously, bring your nerves. What makes this road legendary is the sheer technical challenge combined with stunning rewards. Built just before WWI to reach a fortress, the route still winds past its crumbling remains. The sparse forest canopy offers blessed shade even on scorching days, and cyclists absolutely flock here for the 1,000+ meter elevation gain workout. At the summit sits Chiesa San Simeone, a 13th-century church that's survived centuries of drama—including being completely destroyed in the 1976 earthquake. The views from the plateau? Absolutely worth every white-knuckle turn. This is mandatory bucket-list material for anyone obsessed with twisty mountain roads. Just don't expect to pass anyone on the way up.

Where is Selleries Refuge?moderate

Where is Selleries Refuge?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, adventure awaits! Let's talk about the road up to Selleries Refuge in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy. This mountain hideaway sits pretty at 6,637 feet above sea level within the Parco Naturale Orsiera Rocciavrè, cradled by the Susa, Chisone, and Sangone valleys – think stunning Italian scenery! You'll find it in the northwestern part of the country, near some wild ravines. The journey begins from Strada Provinciale 23 del Colle del Lis. Now, the road to Selleries Refuge is a mix of paved and unpaved sections, so get ready for a little off-road action! Initially, there's a string of hairpin turns on a consistent climb, heading towards the crossroads for Selleries Refuge. After a couple more curves, the road evens out, but don't let that fool you. The climb is one to remember, especially the middle part. Get ready for some amazing views!

Is Hochtor Tunnel paved?easy

Is Hochtor Tunnel paved?

🇦🇹 Austria

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, right on the border of Salzburg and Carinthia in Austria. You're surrounded by the majestic Hohe Tauern mountains, part of the main chain of the Central Eastern Alps. Suddenly, you plunge into the Hochtor Tunnel, which clocks in at 311 meters – the highest point on the whole road at a whopping 2,504 meters above sea level! This tunnel is totally paved, so no need to worry about bumpy rides. The road up to it from Pockhorn is a 17.4 km climb with an average gradient of 8%, so expect some serious uphill action as you gain 1,400 meters in elevation. The tunnel was built back in the mid-1930s. Keep in mind the Grossglockner High Alpine Road (and therefore the tunnel) is generally open from early May to the end of October. But, because you're way up in the mountains, always check conditions before you go – Mother Nature can be unpredictable at these heights!

Driving Inside the Earth: Grotte du Mas d'Azil Is the Only Road Through a Cave in Francemoderate

Driving Inside the Earth: Grotte du Mas d'Azil Is the Only Road Through a Cave in France

🇫🇷 France

# The Grotte du Mas d'Azil: A Cave You Can Actually Drive Through Picture this: you're cruising through the Ariège Pyrenees in southwestern France, and instead of going around a mountain, you're literally driving *through* it. Welcome to Route Nationale 119 (RN 119), where a 420-meter tunnel carved by the Arize River over millennia doubles as an actual road. The tunnel stretches 50 meters high and is fully paved—though you'll need to keep it slow at 30 km/h and flip on your headlights, even with the cave's edge lighting. Fair warning: if your vehicle is taller than 3 meters, you're out of luck. And forget about pulling over for a snack; there's no parking inside (head to the lot outside instead). But here's where it gets wild: this cave isn't just a geological marvel—it's basically an open-air museum of human history. We're talking thousands of years of occupation by Magdalenian and Azilian peoples, plus some seriously mysterious hand-painted pebbles with geometric designs that might be among humanity's earliest attempts at written communication. Roman Christians hid here during persecution, Cathars sought refuge during the Albigensian Crusade, and Protestants made a stand during the 1625 siege. The cave is so historically significant it gave its name to an entire prehistoric era. Today, you can explore the show cave and Interpretation Center to see artifacts and rock art, plus visit the nearby Musée de la Préhistoire. Book online—the hours are quirky. Oh, and cyclists will recognize this spot: the Tour de France has raced through here. Now that's a memorable detour.