GC-500 is a cliffside road on Gran Canaria island

GC-500 is a cliffside road on Gran Canaria island

Spain, europe

Length

45 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# GC-500: Gran Canaria's Heart-Pounding Coastal Classic

Tucked away on the southern coast of Gran Canaria in Spain's Las Palmas Province, the GC-500 is an absolute gem for anyone who loves dramatic coastal drives. This 45km (28-mile) route hugs the cliffside between La Playa de Mogán and Vecindario, delivering some seriously stunning ocean vistas the whole way.

The entire road is paved, which is great news, but don't let that fool you—it's narrow, winding, and sits right between solid rock on one side and a seriously dramatic drop on the other. You're looking at hairpin bends, tunnels, and those white-knuckle cliff-edge moments that'll get your adrenaline pumping. The elevation ranges from about 200 to 900 meters, with the most thrilling 25km stretching right along those sheer drops.

Here's the thing though: the section between La Playa de Mogán and Taurito (the old "Carretera Vieja") has been closed since 2017 due to serious landslide risks. We're talking big rocks already on the road and even bigger ones threatening to tumble down. Unfortunately, people still break through the barriers regularly—please don't be one of them. The main GC-1 Road now bypasses this section safely.

If you do tackle the open portions, expect to spend between 1 to 1.5 hours behind the wheel (assuming you're not stopping constantly to snap photos of those incredible views). This is the kind of drive that stays with you—challenging, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable.

Where is it?

GC-500 is a cliffside road on Gran Canaria island is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.9464, -3.7998

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
45 km
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
40.9464, -3.7998

Related Roads in europe

A sensational paved road to Gurnigel Pass in the Swiss Alpseasy

A sensational paved road to Gurnigel Pass in the Swiss Alps

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Gurnigel Pass is a stunning high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,608m (5,276ft) elevation in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Nestled in the gorgeous Gantrisch Region in western Switzerland, this pass is a real gem. At the top, you'll find a Nordic skiing centre that's hosted some seriously impressive World Cup cross-country skiing and biathlon events. Fair warning though—watch out for those bitumen strips scattered along certain sections of the route. But here's the payoff: look to your right at the summit and you'll be rewarded with absolutely spectacular views of Lake Thun with the majestic Bernese Alps sprawling out behind it. The road itself, Gurnigelstrasse, is fully paved and winds through some genuinely twisty, tricky terrain. Don't worry though—the road surface is in solid condition overall, so you can focus on enjoying the drive rather than white-knuckling it the whole way. This beauty stretches 33.9 km (21.06 miles) long, connecting the charming village of Plaffeien (in Fribourg's Sense district) all the way to Riggisberg (in the Bern-Mittelland district). It's the kind of drive that makes you remember why mountain passes are worth the detour.

Why is the epic road to Mont Ventoux so famous?extreme

Why is the epic road to Mont Ventoux so famous?

🇫🇷 France

# Mont Ventoux: Provence's Legendary "Bald Mountain" Want to tackle one of the world's most iconic climbs? Mont Ventoux rises dramatically to 1,912 meters (6,273 feet) in France's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, and honestly, it's as brutal as it is beautiful. The 21.4 km ascent from the village of Bédoin—first opened to traffic in 1900—is a relentless beast. You'll gain 1,639 meters of elevation over that distance, with gradients hitting nearly 13% on the steepest sections. The well-paved, two-lane D974 winds steadily upward at an average of 7.6%, but it's unforgiving stuff. What makes Ventoux truly unique is its stark, otherworldly landscape. The mountain's barren limestone peak is so devoid of vegetation that it looks snow-capped year-round—though actual snow lingers only from December to April. Past the Chalet Reynard ski station, the final 6 km steepens considerably through open, treeless slopes, with guardrails protecting the more exposed sections. But here's the real challenge: the wind. This mountain didn't earn its nickname "The Giant of Provence" for nothing. The mistral winds here are genuinely fierce, hitting 90+ km/h on roughly 240 days each year, with gusts reaching an eye-watering 320 km/h at the summit. The road often closes due to extreme conditions, particularly at Col de Tempêtes just before the peak. The drive typically takes 30-45 minutes, though fair warning—thousands of cyclists tackle this climb, especially in summer, creating serious congestion near the summit. On a clear day, views stretch across the Rhône Valley all the way to the Mediterranean. This is no casual drive. Bring appropriate gear, check the weather forecast, and respect the mountain's brutal reputation.

Is Puerto de Onil paved?moderate

Is Puerto de Onil paved?

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the CV-803 in the Alicante province of Spain, headed for the Puerto de Canalís de Onil, also known as Port del Teulau or simply Puerto de Onil. This fully paved beauty sits at a cool 1,015 meters (3,330 feet) above sea level in the L'Alcoià region. The 16-kilometer (almost 10 miles) stretch runs north to south, linking Banyeres de Mariola with Onil. Be warned, though, this isn't a gentle stroll! Some sections get seriously steep, hitting a maximum gradient of 14%. But trust me, the effort is worth it. As you climb, you'll be treated to insane views of the Serra Mariola and Sierra de la Fontanello, plus a huge chunk of the Alicante region spreading out below. Get ready for some serious photo ops!

Harthope Moss is a very famous climb in Englandmoderate

Harthope Moss is a very famous climb in England

🇬🇧 England

Okay, buckle up, fellow adventurers! Let's talk about Harthope Moss, a seriously epic mountain pass chilling at 2,060 feet above sea level in County Durham, England. Word on the street is, it's one of the highest paved roads you'll find in the country! Tucked away in the northeast, this pass splits Weardale from Teesdale and carves its way through the stunning North Pennines. The road to the top (also known as Chapel Fell) is paved, but don't let that fool you – it's STEEP! We're talking about a 4.8-mile stretch from the charming village of St John's Chapel (right on the River Wear) to Langdon Beck. Now, you can tackle this beast from either the west or the east, but either way, get ready for a climb! Coming from St John's Chapel? It's a 2.5-mile ascent with a whopping 1,119 feet of elevation gain! That's an average gradient of 8.3%, but hold on tight because you'll hit a brutal 16% in some spots. If you're starting from Langdon Beck, it’s a slightly longer 2.9-mile climb with 896 feet of elevation gain, averaging 5.3% with ramps up to 11%. But trust me, the views are worth every ounce of effort! You'll be treated to panoramic vistas of the Pennines. Just a heads up, the landscape is pretty wild and exposed, so expect some serious wind as you make your way up!