Driving the scenic Cares Canyon Road in Asturias
Spain, europe
61 km
N/A
easy
Year-round
# Cañon del Rio Cares: Spain's Hidden Canyon Gem
If you're looking for one of the most breathtaking canyon drives in all of Spain, look no further than Asturias. The Cañon del Rio Cares is an absolute must-see, tucked away in the northern reaches of the country and carved dramatically by the Cares River itself.
The road—AS-264—winds through some seriously stunning gorge scenery as it connects Arenas de Cabrales to Poncebos. And here's the best part: it's totally paved, so you don't need to worry about rough terrain. The whole drive is just 6.1 km (3.79 miles) long, making it perfect for a quick but spectacular adventure. Most people can blast through it in 10-12 minutes, though honestly, you'll probably want to pull over constantly to snap photos and soak in the views.
Nestled within the legendary Picos de Europa mountains, this route has serious history too. Construction kicked off way back in September 1893, and the road officially opened to traffic on October 1, 1916—over a century of delivering jaw-dropping views to travelers.
Whether you're a road-tripping enthusiast or just looking for an incredible scenic detour through northern Spain, the Cañon del Rio Cares delivers in spades. The sweeping vistas and dramatic canyon walls make this one you absolutely won't forget.
Where is it?
Driving the scenic Cares Canyon Road in Asturias is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 39.3300, -3.4794
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 61 km
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 39.3300, -3.4794
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Resia Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the Italian Alps, not far from Austria, on the SS40 – the road over Reschenpass, or Passo di Resia if you're feeling Italian. This isn't your typical Alpine crossing; at 1,522m (4,993ft), it's one of the lowest, making it a sweet alternative to the Brenner Pass. The road itself? Paved all the way and stretching for 22.4km (13.91 miles) from Malles Venosta up to the border. It's a smooth ride for the most part, but don't get too comfy – you'll hit some ramps with gradients up to 8%. Back in the day, Mussolini had some serious defenses built here during WWII, just in case things got hairy. The scenery is incredible, and this road built between 1850 and 1854 offers a unique perspective on the Alps.
extremeAdventure along the wild road to Gjipe Beach in the Albanian Riviera
🇦🇱 Albania
# Getting to Gjipe Beach: Albania's Most Heart-Stopping Drive Nestled in the Albanian Riviera between the charming towns of Dhermi and Vuno, Gjipe Beach is an absolute gem—and getting there is half the adventure (okay, maybe the scarier half). This 4km journey starts innocently enough on the paved SH8 road. The first 2.5km winds past St Theodor's Monastery through easy, paved terrain, where you'll find a parking lot if you want to bail early. But if you've got the guts and a capable 4WD with decent clearance, the real magic awaits below. The final 1.4km? That's where things get spicy. Picture a narrow, unpaved sandy path carved through lush forest with hairpin turns that seem to defy gravity. There are no guardrails. The road drops steeply—we're talking an average 9% gradient—and one wrong move sends you plummeting straight into the sea. Seriously, don't look down. Two cars passing? Forget about it. This trail simply can't handle it. From the monastery, you'll descend about 135 meters over roughly 1.5km of some genuinely intense terrain scattered with rocks and sketchy soft sand patches. And fair warning: weather here is unpredictable. Heavy rains can trigger flash floods that surge down the canyon straight onto the beach. But here's the payoff: you'll arrive at a slice of paradise. White sand, turquoise waters, towering canyon cliffs, and those quirky Cold War-era communist bunkers dotting the landscape. Come summer, grab refreshments from the couple of beach cafes. Just watch out for snakes and resist the urge to collect souvenirs. For nature lovers willing to white-knuckle it, Gjipe is genuinely one of Albania's most spectacular coastal drives—and beaches.
hardThe historical Ponale Road with stunning views of Lake Garda
🇮🇹 Italy
# Strada del Ponale: Italy's Hidden Gem Mountain Route Nestled along Lake Garda's northern shore in Lombardy, the Strada del Ponale is basically the stuff travel dreams are made of. This stunning historical route winds through the Province of Brescia and has an incredible story to match its jaw-dropping views. Built between 1847 and 1851 according to the ambitious vision of engineer Giacomo Cis, this road was originally the only way to connect Lake Garda with the remote Ledro Valley. Before it existed, travelers had to navigate treacherous mule tracks and deal with the Ponale waterfall blocking the way—not exactly fun. The engineers of the time pulled off something pretty remarkable: they carved tunnels and engineered sharp hairpin turns to tame the steep, rocky terrain. When cars first rolled through in 1891, it was considered an engineering marvel. The road's had quite the comeback story too. After a modern tunnel opened in 1990, this historic route was closed to motor traffic. But thanks to passionate local preservation efforts, it reopened in 2004 as a paradise for bikers and hikers. Today, this 4.6km unpaved beauty stretches between SS45bis and SS240, offering some of the most breathtaking panoramas you'll find anywhere. The real magic happens as you descend through ancient forests with Lake Garda constantly glittering in the background. Keep an eye out for the old military installations dotted along the route—they're surprisingly photogenic. Fair warning: it gets busy, especially on weekends during peak season. Rock falls can happen, and you'll share the trail with plenty of other cyclists. There's a restaurant midway up if you need fuel for your adventure. Just embrace the gravel, soak in the legendary views, and prepare for one unforgettable ride.
moderateThe iconic road to Col de la Bonette in the French Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Bonette: France's Ultimate Alpine Adventure Ready for an adrenaline-pumping Alpine experience? Head to Col de la Bonette, perched at a jaw-dropping 2,715m (8,907ft) in southeast France's stunning Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Straddling the border between Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments within the gorgeous Mercantour National Park, this legendary pass connects the Ubaye Valley and Tinée Valley—and it's absolutely unmissable if you're chasing mountain thrills. What makes this route so special? The entire D64 (part of the famous Route des Grandes Alpes) is completely paved, making it accessible year-round—well, technically. You'll find yourself driving on a beautifully maintained, wide road that's seriously steep and packed with incredible sensations. It's the kind of drive that makes your heart race in the best possible way. The scenery? Phenomenal. Nestled beside Cime de la Bonette and running parallel to Col d'Allos and Col de la Cayolle, you're surrounded by some of Europe's most dramatic Alpine landscapes. Fair warning though: while a sign at the base claims this is "Europe's highest road," that's not quite accurate—but it's certainly among the highest in the country. **Plan your visit wisely:** The road typically closes from late October through June or early July due to heavy snow, so aim for summer driving. History buffs will appreciate that what started as a humble mule track in the 1800s became a fully completed road in 1960, and it's even graced the Tour de France circuit. Cyclists, take note: the 24km ascent from Jausiers gains 1,589m (average 6.6% gradient with sections hitting 11%), while the Saint Etienne de Tinée route stretches 25.8km with 1,652m elevation gain (6.4% average, peaking at 15%). Helpful kilometer markers dot both sides of the road, showing elevation and distance milestones.