
Is the road to Puerto de Piedrafita unpaved?
Spain, europe
7.2 km
1,687 m
hard
Year-round
Ready for an off-the-beaten-path adventure? Puerto de Piedrafita is a high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,687m (5,534ft) right on the border of León and Asturias in northwest Spain. Tucked into the Cantabrian Mountains, this pass is a super old route connecting the north and south sides of the range.
Okay, so here's the deal: the road from the village of Piedrafita to Yananzanes is unpaved. Yep, you read that right! The south side is the LE-315, but the northern part? Unnamed! This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a 7.2 km (4.4 miles) trek that follows an ancient Roman road. Trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one.
Locals use this route a lot, but winter? Forget about it. Heavy snow shuts things down fast. And speaking of tough, get ready for some serious climbs! The average gradient is 5.62% (with a 405-meter climb), but brace yourself for sections hitting a whopping 30% gradient. Traction and mad driving skills are a must here!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 7.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,687 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Col de La Buffere?
🇫🇷 France
Col de Buffère: Picture this, you're cruising through the Hautes-Alpes department of France, and you stumble upon this beast of a mountain pass. We're talking a whopping 2,431m (7,975ft) above sea level! You'll find it nestled in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in the southeastern part of France. This road has some serious history, dating all the way back to the early 1900s when it was built for military use. Up at the top, you can still spot remnants from World War II—part of the old Maginot Line. Pretty cool, right? Now, don't get me wrong, the Piste du Col de La Buffere is gorgeous, with killer views of the Écrins National Park. But it's not for the faint of heart. It's unpaved the whole way, think gravel and rocks, with some crazy steep sections hitting up to 20% gradient! You'll definitely want a 4x4 for this one. The fun starts from the D234T, clocking in at about 5.1 km (3.16 miles) with a 314-meter climb. That’s an average gradient of 6.15%, so get ready to work those gears! Heads up, though: this route is usually closed from late October to late June/early July due to snow. You can drive part of it, but private vehicles aren't allowed on the very last stretch to the summit. It's all about keeping things safe and preserving the area because the road gets super narrow with some serious drop-offs. Honestly, the views are worth it, offering epic panoramas of the surrounding peaks. Plus, you get a dose of history with the military fortifications.
hardThe Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Col de Tourniol
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Tourniol Looking for a thrilling alpine challenge in southeast France? Col de Tourniol might just be your next road trip obsession. Sitting pretty at 1,145 meters (3,756 feet) above sea level in the Drôme department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, this mountain pass is pure driving poetry. The fully paved D101 is narrow and seriously steep—we're talking a maximum gradient of 9%—but that's exactly what makes it so fun. You'll navigate 15 hairpin turns on your way up, each one offering new perspectives of the surrounding landscape. The entire route stretches 15.6 km from Barbières to Léoncel, running west-southeast through some genuinely stunning terrain. This isn't just some random mountain road either. The Tour de France has featured Col de Tourniol, so you'll be driving in the literal wheel tracks of cycling legends. Whether you're a thrill-seeking driver or just someone who appreciates a good challenging climb, this pass delivers the goods—combining technical driving with rewarding scenery and serious alpine atmosphere.
hardDriving to Col de La Madeleine in Savoie is Pure Adventure
🇫🇷 France
# Col de La Madeleine Tucked away in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Col de La Madeleine sits pretty at 2,716m (8,910ft) in the heart of the Tarentaise Valley. Fair warning though—if you're thinking of the famous Tour de France version, that's a different pass entirely. This one's the real deal for adventurers. Here's the thing: this isn't your typical alpine road. It's basically a service track for a chairlift, and it's completely unpaved. We're talking 6.1 km (3.79 miles) of raw, rugged terrain running north-south from the paved D902 straight up to Col des Lésières. The catch? You'll need a serious 4x4 to even think about attempting it. What makes this route genuinely gnarly is the terrain itself. Narrow sections combined with some serious grades—we're talking slopes up to 25%—mean this isn't a Sunday cruise. The track demands respect and actual driving skills. Winter? Forget about it. This place becomes completely impassable when the snow rolls in, which makes sense considering it's one of France's highest accessible roads. But in the right season, if you've got the vehicle and the nerve, it's an absolutely unforgettable high-altitude alpine experience set against some genuinely stunning mountain scenery.
hardWhere is Pico de Urbión?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a trek for you that'll test your mettle and reward you with views for days. We're heading to Pico de Urbión, a mighty peak way up in the north of Soria, Spain, reaching a dizzying 2,168 meters (7,112 feet)! You'll find this gem in the Castile and León region, not far from the mysterious Laguna Negra de Urbión. Think dramatic landscapes and seriously epic scenery. So, how do you get to the top? Start in El Quintanarejo, off the SO-830, and get ready for a 19.9km (12.36 miles) climb. Here's the thing: you NEED a 4x4 for this one, especially beyond the Refugio El Muchachón mountain hut. The entire road is unpaved and seriously steep in sections, and be warned — there are some super narrow spots and major drop-offs. Keep in mind that winter can throw a wrench in your plans, thanks to heavy snowfall in the Picos de Urbión range. But if you time it right, this drive is SO worth it. The views are insane, with panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks and not one, but TWO incredible glacial lagoons: Laguna de Mojón Alto and Laguna Helada. Trust me, your Instagram will thank you!