Dare to drive the dangerous road to Peña Horadada in the Sierra Nevada

Dare to drive the dangerous road to Peña Horadada in the Sierra Nevada

Spain, europe

Length

46 km

Elevation

2,350 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

# Peña Horadada: Spain's Ultimate High-Altitude Adventure

Ready for some seriously stunning alpine driving? Peña Horadada sits pretty at 2,350m (7,709ft) above sea level and ranks among Spain's highest mountain passes. This beast is tucked away in Almería province, right in the heart of Andalusia's famous Sierra Nevada—you know, the same dramatic range that's home to the legendary Pico Veleta.

Here's where it gets interesting: this entire 46km (28-mile) stretch of road is completely unpaved, winding through the Sierra Nevada National Park itself. We're talking serious off-road territory here—only 4x4 vehicles allowed, and it's strictly off-limits to regular cars. No shortcuts, no exceptions.

The route itself is an east-west journey that kicks off at Puerto de la Ragua (sitting at 2,046m/6,712ft) and ends in the tiny village of Ohanes. So basically, you're climbing even higher after already being at an impressive elevation. The raw, rugged beauty of this high-altitude traverse is absolutely unreal, with jaw-dropping Sierra Nevada scenery surrounding you at every turn. This is the kind of drive that gets your adrenaline pumping and leaves you with stories for years.

Where is it?

Dare to drive the dangerous road to Peña Horadada in the Sierra Nevada is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.1202, -3.9339

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
46 km
Max Elevation
2,350 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
40.1202, -3.9339

Related Roads in europe

Where is Belvédère du Cirque du Mont-Viso?moderate

Where is Belvédère du Cirque du Mont-Viso?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: you're in the French Hautes-Alpes, practically straddling the Italian border in the gorgeous Queyras Regional Natural Park. You're headed for the Belvédère du Cirque du Mont-Viso, a natural viewpoint that's a staggering 2,147m (7,043ft) above sea level. This Route du Viso was born to give access to the Haut Guil valley and let tourists soak up the views of Mont Viso’s north face. The locals kicked things off way back in 1864, and then everyone chipped in: the government, the army, even Michelin got involved! It officially opened in 1931. Now, heads up: this road's up in the Cottian Alps, inside the Ristolas Mont-Viso National Nature Reserve, so winter usually shuts it down with heavy snow. The road to the top? Mostly paved, but expect some rough patches and gravel sections. It's a leg-burning 19.3km (12 miles) climb from Aiguilles, gaining 676 meters. The average gradient is a gentle 3.5%, but don't be fooled, there are ramps of up to 11.5%! Expect some killer switchbacks, false flats, and occasional flat stretches to catch your breath. The views? Absolutely worth it. There's even a small parking lot at the top to reward your efforts. Mountain bikers, this climb is calling your name!

A steep paved road to Col de Mehatche in the Pyreneeshard

A steep paved road to Col de Mehatche in the Pyrenees

🇫🇷 France

# Col de Méhatché Nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees on the Spanish-French border, Col de Méhatché (also known as Artzamendiko Bidea) is a mountain pass that connects Spain's Navarre region with France's Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. Sitting at 716m (2,349ft) above sea level, this scenic route is definitely worth adding to your mountain driving bucket list. The pass stretches just 4.1km (2.54 miles) from Col des Veaux to Sommet de l'Artzamendi, where you'll find a small parking lot waiting at the summit. Fair warning though: this isn't your typical cruise-through-the-mountains road. The route features plenty of hairpin turns and seriously steep sections, with gradients reaching up to 17.2% at their steepest. The real challenge? The narrow sections that make you hold your breath whenever you hear an engine coming from the opposite direction. If you're not confident with tight spaces and reversing, you might want to save this one for when your driving skills are a bit sharper. But if you're up for the challenge, the reward is a thrilling alpine experience with spectacular Pyrenean views.

A hairpinned steep road to Parking des Millefontshard

A hairpinned steep road to Parking des Millefonts

🇫🇷 France

# Parking des Millefonts: A High-Alpine Adventure Tuck away at 2,040 meters (6,692 feet) in the French Alps, Parking des Millefonts sits pretty in the Alpes-Maritimes department, right in the heart of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. This is serious mountain territory, and the Route des Millefonts is your ticket in—though fair warning, it's a dead end! The drive itself is absolutely worth it though. As you wind your way up, the views just keep getting better and better. The road technically ends at a small parking area just shy of the actual Millefonts valley, where a gravel track takes over for those looking to venture even deeper. **Ready for the challenge?** The ascent from M2565 road is no joke: 9.3 km (5.77 miles) of relentless climbing with hairpin turns that'll keep you on your toes. You're looking at 654 meters of elevation gain over that distance, averaging a punishing 7.03% gradient. The pavement quality? Well, let's call it "rustic"—some sections are paved but weathered, and parts have gone full gravel. Once you reach the parking, you've got two gravel roads to explore: one climbing to Vallon des Millefonts (2,098m) and another heading toward Col de Veillos (2,187m). If you're chasing epic mountain roads and don't mind a technical drive, this Alpine playground delivers.

The dark legend of Dyatlov Pass: Russia's biggest unsolved mysteryextreme

The dark legend of Dyatlov Pass: Russia's biggest unsolved mystery

🌍 Russia

Dare to explore the enigmatic Dyatlov Pass, perched at 831m (2,726ft) in the remote reaches of Russia! Nestled on the border between the Komi Republic and the Sverdlovsk Oblast in the Ural Mountains, this place isn't just a scenic spot; it's steeped in mystery. Famous for the unsolved deaths of nine hikers back in '59, the pass is now a magnet for extreme travelers. Think you're tough? This route will test you. Getting there is an adventure in itself. Starting near Ivdel, you'll need a serious 4x4 – high clearance is a must. Consider a snowmobile for the winter months. The first 125 km (78 miles) takes you through Severnyy, Burmantovo, and Vizhay, aiming for the nomadic village of Ushma. From Ushma, it’s a 35.59 km (22.12 miles) hike, as the terrain becomes too gnarly for vehicles. Expect extreme weather: heavy snow, biting winds, and temperatures that plummet well below zero. Keep an eye out for remnants of old Gulag camps along the way. The pass is named after Igor Dyatlov, the leader of the group who tragically perished here. Are you brave enough to uncover the secrets of Dyatlov Pass?