Els Cortals is a drive worth taking

Els Cortals is a drive worth taking

Andorra, europe

Length

13 km

Elevation

2,068 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're in Andorra, ready for an epic climb up to Alt Els Cortals d’Encamp! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a seriously cool mountain pass sitting pretty at 2,068 meters (that's 6,784 feet!).

The road? Smooth asphalt, but don't get complacent. It throws some seriously steep sections your way, hitting gradients of up to 12.5%. Even the pros in the Vuelta a España have tackled this beast!

Starting near Andorra, you've got a 13 km ascent ahead. In that stretch, you'll climb a full 900 meters, averaging out to a leg-burning 6.9% grade. The views? Totally worth every drop of sweat. Get ready for some postcard-perfect scenery as you conquer this incredible climb!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Andorra
Continent
europe
Length
13 km
Max Elevation
2,068 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

The Road to Nota Pass in Lombardy Is Not for Beginnershard

The Road to Nota Pass in Lombardy Is Not for Beginners

🇮🇹 Italy

# Passo Nota: A Hidden Alpine Challenge Ready for an adventure in Italy's stunning mountain country? Passo Nota sits at a crisp 1,208m (3,963ft) above sea level in Brescia province, nestled in the beautiful Lombardy region near Trento and Lake Garda. This is seriously remote territory. Here's the thing: this route has serious history. Built during World War I (between 1915 and 1918) for strategic military purposes, it's a road that's seen some action. These days? It's gloriously rugged and off-the-beaten-path. Now, let's talk reality. The approach from Vesio to the junction is paved but pretty sketchy—think narrow lanes that'll make your sports car nervous. Once you hit the section toward Rifugio Alpini and Tremalzo? Buckle up—it's mostly unpaved and genuinely cramped. Most regular cars and campervans can handle it if they're driven carefully, but 4WD vehicles are your best friend here. Expect a gnarly 14% gradient at the steepest points. **Fair warning:** Motor traffic is officially closed on this pass, likely due to some seriously sketchy tunnels that are honestly way too small and sketchy to feel comfortable driving through. Your GPS might still show it as open (we're looking at you, Garmin), but don't be fooled. This is a route for the curious, the adventurous, and those ready to respect the mountains' rules.

Driving the 4x4 road to Collada de la Gallinahard

Driving the 4x4 road to Collada de la Gallina

🇪🇸 Spain

Collada de la Gallina is a jaw-dropping international mountain pass sitting at 1,912m (6,272ft) in the eastern Pyrenees, straddling the border between Spain and Andorra. This isn't your average Sunday drive—it's a serious, demanding climb that'll test both your skills and your nerve. On the Andorran side, you're looking at a fully paved route that typically opens from April through November. The road stretches 14.4 km (8.94 miles) from Bixessarri up to Fontaneda, and it's packed with challenges: 33 hairpin turns and some brutally steep sections that regularly hit gradients above 14.5%. It's been tough enough to feature in Spain's prestigious Vuelta race. The good news? Hardly anyone drives up here, so you'll have the mountain mostly to yourself. If you're approaching from the Spanish side near Civís, prepare yourself for something different. You're trading pavement for a rough, narrow unpaved road that demands a 4x4 vehicle to handle safely. This shorter route covers just 4.2 km (2.60 miles) but climbs 385 meters with an average gradient of 9.16%—still no joke, even if it sounds easier on paper. The pass connects Catalonia's province of Lleida with Andorra's parish of Sant Julià de Lòria, making it a thrilling frontier crossing for adventurous drivers who can handle serious mountain terrain.

Where is Pic Negre?moderate

Where is Pic Negre?

🌍 Andorra

Pic Negre, sitting pretty at 2,643m (8,671ft), marks the border between Andorra and Spain. It's a serious contender for one of the highest drives you can find in Andorra. Perched right on the boundary between Andorra's Escaldes-Engordany and Sant Julià de Lòria, and Spain's Lleida province, the peak gets its "dark mountain" name from the color of its rocks. Keep your eyes peeled for a totally rad sight: an abandoned VW T1 bus overlooking the Andorran countryside. Legend says this old van was the first to conquer the peak back in the '70s, but its engine gave up at the summit, leaving it as a permanent fixture. Heads up – getting to the top is a proper off-road adventure. The road is completely unpaved and covered in loose stones. Leave your regular car at home; you'll need a 4x4 to make it. If you're coming from the Andorran side via Sant Julià de Lòria, it's a 20.8 km (12.92 miles) climb with a whopping 1,638 meters of elevation gain. Expect an average gradient of 7.87%, but some sections ramp up to a lung-busting 16%! Starting from Bescaran in Spain, it's a 16.4 km (10.19 miles) haul, climbing 1,360 meters with an average gradient of 8.29% and maxing out at a leg-burning 20% in places. Nestled high in the Pyrenees, this road is usually good to go from May to November, but snowfall can change things, so check ahead. Prepare for breathtaking scenery, challenging terrain, and a seriously unforgettable drive.

Prevoj Tresnjevik is a classic road trip in Montenegrohard

Prevoj Tresnjevik is a classic road trip in Montenegro

🌍 Montenegro

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Trešnjevik Pass in Montenegro is calling your name. This beauty sits at a cool 1,568 meters (that's 5,144 feet!) and straddles the line between Andrijevica and Kolašin. The M9 highway is your path, and trust me, it's a wild one! Think narrow, winding roads with hairpin turns galore as you climb. It's STEEP, with some sections hitting a 10% gradient! You'll be surrounded by stunning mountain views the whole way, though. The whole pass stretches for about 34.7 kilometers (or 21.43 miles) from Andrijevica to Mateševo. Give yourself about an hour to soak it all in, not counting photo stops, because you'll definitely want to take some. Get ready for a drive you won't soon forget!