How to drive the defiant road to Puerto de Maravillas in the Sierra Madre Oriental?

How to drive the defiant road to Puerto de Maravillas in the Sierra Madre Oriental?

Mexico, north-america

Length

43 km

Elevation

2,727 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, wanderlusters, buckle up for Puerto de Maravillas! This high-altitude pass climbs to a whopping 8,946 feet in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains of Coahuila, Mexico. You'll find it snaking through the northeastern part of the country.

Heads up, adventure seekers: North of the pass, a seriously rugged unpaved road will tempt you towards Cerro de la Viga, a peak towering at 11,666 feet!

The road itself is a mixed bag. Expect paved sections at the start and end, but the middle is a wild, unpaved ride. Be prepared for narrow stretches and some seriously steep inclines!

Clocking in at 27 miles, the road runs from Nuevo Leon 20 Road (near Campestre los Andes) to Mesa de las Tablas. And the views? Epic! You'll be treated to stunning panoramas of the Sierra Madre Oriental the whole way. Just incredible!

Where is it?

How to drive the defiant road to Puerto de Maravillas in the Sierra Madre Oriental? is located in Mexico (north-america). Coordinates: 23.7597, -100.7793

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Mexico
Continent
north-america
Length
43 km
Max Elevation
2,727 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
23.7597, -100.7793

Related Roads in north-america

Traveling in Mexico: What to Know Before You Gomoderate

Traveling in Mexico: What to Know Before You Go

🇲🇽 Mexico

Okay, buckle up, amigos! We're hitting the Carretera 126 in Nuevo León, Mexico, a twisty beauty clocking in at about 14.5 miles. Get ready for some serious climbing, as you'll be ascending from around 5,200 feet to over 6,600 feet above sea level. Word to the wise: keep an eye out for potholes and rocks along the way – this isn't your average smooth highway cruise. But trust me, the views are worth it! Think dramatic mountain vistas and classic northern Mexico landscapes. Just take it slow, enjoy the scenery, and you'll have an unforgettable ride.

Why is it called Craig Pass?moderate

Why is it called Craig Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, road trippers, let's talk Craig Pass! You'll find this beauty chilling at 8,284 feet in Wyoming's Teton County, right inside Yellowstone National Park. Legend says it's named after a super-early tourist, Ida Craig, who was one of the first to cruise it back in 1891. The road itself? It's a fully paved section of the Grand Loop Road (U.S. Route 191), stretching for about 17 miles between West Thumb Junction and Old Faithful. Prepare for a seriously scenic drive, but hold on tight – it's packed with twists, turns, and some pretty steep sections hitting almost 8% in gradient! At the top, snag a parking spot and check out Isa Lake – it’s more like a charming little pond, really. Just a heads up: Craig Pass is a winter wonderland that's closed to cars from November to late April. You *can* explore it via guided snowmobile or snowcoach from mid-December to mid-March, though! When the roads are open, you can roll in and out of the park anytime, day or night. Just keep in mind that Yellowstone is HUGE, and road closures are always a possibility, so peek at the latest updates before you go.

What’s Needles Eye in South Dakota famous for?hard

What’s Needles Eye in South Dakota famous for?

🇺🇸 Usa

Cruising through Custer State Park in South Dakota? You HAVE to experience Needles Eye! This isn't just a road; it's an adventure carved right through the Black Hills. Picture this: you're on Highway 87, part of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, winding 14 miles through granite spires and lush pines. The real star is the Needles Eye Tunnel—an 8'4" wide, 12' high passage blasted straight through the rock. It's cozy, to say the least! One car at a time, folks, so be ready to take turns and maybe hold your breath! RVs and big trailers? Probably best to skip this part. The views are absolutely worth it, though. Those needle-like granite formations are stunning, and the road itself is a masterpiece, completed back in 1922. Factor in about 45 minutes to an hour to really soak it all in, driving a leisurely pace. Keep in mind that this route is generally open from April to October, as it usually closes for winter due to snow. And remember there's a park entrance fee. Get ready for tight hairpin turns, mind-blowing scenery, and a drive you won't soon forget!

A scenic unpaved road to Cordova Pass in southern Coloradomoderate

A scenic unpaved road to Cordova Pass in southern Colorado

🇺🇸 Usa

Nestled high in southern Colorado, Cordova Pass tops out at a whopping 11,248 feet! You'll find it in Huerfano County, offering a taste of the wild west. Originally called Apishapa Pass, it was renamed in 1934 after Jose De Jesus Cordova, a local legend. The unpaved road itself was built the same year. Most of the time, your average car can make it, but be warned: there are ruts from past mud-slinging adventures that can be tricky in a low-rider. And near the top, watch out for sneaky potholes hiding in the shadows – your suspension will thank you. While it’s generally not too tough, if rain or snow are on the horizon, best to bring a 4x4 friend. The route connects near Gulnare, Colorado, to the paved highway over Cuchara Pass. Heads up, if you're coming from Cuchara Pass (that's FR364), it's a rocky, dirt road – not ideal for RVs or long trailers. East of the pass, on County Road 46, the road gets even bumpier until you hit the south end of the National Forest. Keep in mind, this beauty is usually snowed in from mid-November to late May. There's a parking area with a fee station, restrooms (sometimes open), and picnic spots for a scenic break. Tucked inside San Isabel National Forest, right by the Spanish Peaks Wilderness, the drive is seriously stunning. If you're rolling in from the east, you'll cruise under Cordova Arch (aka Apishapa Arch), a WPA masterpiece from the 30s. This arch is a total showstopper, slicing right through one of the dramatic igneous rock walls that fan out from the Spanish Peaks.