La Trapa, one of the gnarliest roads in Mallorca

La Trapa, one of the gnarliest roads in Mallorca

Spain, europe

Length

4.8 km

Elevation

359 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# La Trapa: Mallorca's White-Knuckle Mountain Monastery Run

Tucked away on Mallorca's dramatic southwestern coast, La Trapa is an abandoned monastery that'll test your driving skills—and your nerve. If heights make you queasy, you might want to keep your gaze firmly on that steering wheel.

Nestled in Sant Josep valley on the slopes of the Tramuntana mountains, this remote monastery (abandoned way back in 1820) sits at the end of a seriously twisty gravel road. Fair warning: the route is genuinely challenging and definitely not for inexperienced drivers. Those vertiginous drop-offs along the way? Yeah, they're real. Also heads up—the road is gated off to private vehicles, though locals and authorized access still use it.

Starting from the paved MA-1030, you're looking at a 4.8 km journey across Mallorca's rugged west coast. And honestly? It's absolutely stunning. The coastline unfolds beneath you, with Sa Dragonera island providing a postcard-perfect backdrop. The only catch? Some sections are genuinely tight—barely wide enough for two medium-sized cars to pass. You'll definitely want to feel confident with your reversing.

The real challenge kicks in as the road climbs steeply toward Coll de ses Animes mountain pass (359m elevation). The first 4 km averages a brutal 10% gradient with hairpin turns that'll keep your hands locked on the wheel. This isn't a casual scenic drive—it's an adrenaline-fueled adventure for serious drivers only.

Where is it?

La Trapa, one of the gnarliest roads in Mallorca is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 42.5023, -4.0671

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
4.8 km
Max Elevation
359 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
42.5023, -4.0671

Related Roads in europe

Lago Laudemiohard

Lago Laudemio

🇮🇹 Italy

# Lago Laudemio Tucked away in Basilicata, deep in southern Italy, you'll find Lago Laudemio sitting pretty at nearly 1,575 meters (5,167 feet) above sea level. This alpine lake is totally worth the drive up. The road leading to the summit is paved—so that's a plus—but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a leisurely cruise. This route gets *seriously* steep in sections, with grades climbing up to 14%. Your car's brakes will definitely earn their keep on the way down, and you'll want to keep your wits about you while climbing. But if you're up for a challenging mountain drive with stunning alpine scenery as your reward, this one's a gem worth seeking out.

Gorges de la Nesque is a balcony road in Francehard

Gorges de la Nesque is a balcony road in France

🇫🇷 France

# Gorges de la Nesque: Provence's Most Thrilling Drive Picture this: you're winding through one of Europe's most jaw-dropping canyon roads, perched impossibly high above the Nesque River in the heart of Provence. Welcome to Gorges de la Nesque, a stunning 22.1 km stretch of asphalt carved right into the cliffs between Villes-sur-Auzon and Monieux in the Vaucluse department. Built in the early 1900s and officially opened in 1920, the D942 has earned its reputation as one of Europe's most beautiful drives. But here's the thing—beauty comes with an adrenaline kick. This isn't your average scenic route. The road is genuinely narrow (we're talking single-car-width in many spots), peppered with hairpin turns, blind curves, and dramatic rock overhangs. If you're terrified of heights, maybe keep your eyes on the road and skip the views. The frequent unlit tunnels add another layer of adventure, and yes, there are stretches where the only thing between you and a 400-meter drop is a low barrier... or sometimes nothing at all. Most drivers take 35-50 minutes to complete the route, assuming they don't stop to snap photos. Pro tip: avoid late June through August unless you enjoy sitting in traffic and melting in the heat. Hit it early morning instead for the best experience. The scenery is genuinely spectacular. You'll pass the stunning Castelleras belvedere with views of "Rocher de Cire," the gorge's highest point at 872 meters, and witness depths that'll make your stomach flip. Cyclists love this road too, thanks to those same tunnels that keep traffic surprisingly light. If you've heard of Gorges du Verdon, Nesque is its thrilling next-door neighbor—arguably just as impressive.

Driving the curves and tunnels of Malta High Alpine Roadeasy

Driving the curves and tunnels of Malta High Alpine Road

🇦🇹 Austria

# Malta-Hochalmstraße: Austria's Alpine Thrill Ride Ready for one of Austria's most exhilarating drives? Head to Carinthia in the southern Alps, just north of the charming village of Malta in Spittal an der Drau District, and discover the Malta-Hochalmstraße—a spectacular toll road that'll have you gripping the steering wheel in the best way possible. This 14.4km (8.94 miles) beauty climbs high into the majestic Hohe Tauern range, winding its way up to Kölnbreinsperre, Austria's highest concrete dam sitting at a jaw-dropping 1,902m (6,240ft) elevation. Originally built to help construct that engineering marvel, the road was later opened to the public as a tourist attraction—and honestly, it's worth every detour. Buckle up for a driving experience that's part scenic tour, part adrenaline rush. The road hugs the Malta river as it snakes through six dramatic natural stone tunnels carved directly into the rock face, complete with tight switchbacks that'll test your skills. With gradients reaching 13% and some hairpin sections narrowing to single-lane, you'll need focus and respect for this road. Two strategically placed traffic lights manage flow at the trickiest points, keeping everyone safe. Just a heads up: this route is only open May through October, between 7 am and 6 pm, and the entire road is perfectly paved. Whether you're driving a car or riding a motorcycle, this is the kind of journey that reminds you exactly why you love the open road.

Driving to the international San Jorio Passextreme

Driving to the international San Jorio Pass

🇮🇹 Italy

# Passo San Jorio: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure Ready for an epic mountain crossing? Passo San Jorio sits pretty at 2,012 meters (6,601 feet) and straddles the Switzerland-Italy border like a boss. This pass connects the Italian town of Garzeno (in Como province) with Carena over in Swiss Ticino—and trust me, it's not your typical Sunday drive. The landscape here is absolutely stunning, nestled between the Lepontine Alps and the Lugano Prealps. Once you approach the summit, you'll spot a charming medieval church and a trio of refuge huts that have welcomed weary travelers for centuries. Back in the day, this pass was strategically crucial, and you can feel that historical weight as you drive through. Now, let's talk about what you're actually getting into: this road is *gloriously* narrow with hairpin bends so tight and steep they'll test your driving skills (and nerves). The entire route is unpaved, and it only gets rougher the higher you climb. We're talking seriously challenging terrain here. On the Italian side, you can drive most of the way, though the final stretch is off-limits for motorized vehicles. The Swiss side offers a hiking trail that mountain bikers can also tackle. Winter? Forget about it—this pass is completely impassable when snow arrives. **Bottom line:** Bring a 4x4 vehicle if you're attempting this in good conditions, strap in, and prepare for one unforgettable alpine experience.