Mas de la Costa

Mas de la Costa

Spain, europe

Length

4 km

Elevation

980 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Mas de la Costa is a mountain pass tucked away in the Alcalatén region of Castellon, Spain, sitting at a punishing 980 meters (3,215 feet) above sea level. Don't let the short 4km length fool you—this is seriously one of Spain's most brutal cycling climbs, and for good reason.

The road itself is paved, but it's narrow and relentlessly steep. You'll be dealing with an average gradient of 13%, which is already no joke, but the real kicker comes with those brutal 22% pitches that'll have you questioning your life choices. Yeah, the Vuelta has featured this beast, so you know it's legitimately tough.

If you're thinking about tackling this one on two wheels or four, come prepared. The scenery might be gorgeous, but Mas de la Costa isn't messing around—it's the kind of climb that separates the serious riders from everyone else.

Where is it?

Mas de la Costa is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 39.8005, -4.5996

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
4 km
Max Elevation
980 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
39.8005, -4.5996

Related Roads in europe

Be prepared to drive the F910 road in the Highlands of Icelandhard

Be prepared to drive the F910 road in the Highlands of Iceland

🇮🇸 Iceland

F910 (Austurleið) is a challenging mountain road located in the Northeastern Region of Iceland. It’s one of the famous F Roads of the country. The road is located in the northern part of the island, in the remote Highlands of Iceland. The road is quite challenging. It has paved sections but also very demanding parts. Most people only drive a small part of Austurleið – the section leading to Askja. However, F910 continues a long way through the central highlands. To drive on this road, you need a high clearance vehicle. It's only open in the summer for 4x4 vehicles. Snow and sandstorms might occur. Expect to be alone; this track is not very busy and is very remote. Travelers need to be well-prepared with enough food, water, and fuel for the drive ahead. This trail goes through complete wilderness without any services whatsoever; travelers have to bring all fuel and supplies. The road is 170 km (105 miles) long. It can be traversed with a decent 4WD vehicle, but it can be slow-going because parts of the road are bumpy. Some sections are extremely rough, especially where it passes over fields of solidified lava. Sand and snowstorms may cause serious problems, even in the summer, as well as several river crossings. It's recommended to travel together with other vehicles.Road suggested by: Glenn FantPic&video: Bas Brand Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Horseshoe Pass: Wales' Scenic Gem and the Drive of a Lifetimemoderate

Horseshoe Pass: Wales' Scenic Gem and the Drive of a Lifetime

🇬🇧 Wales

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Denbighshire, Wales, on the A542 – a road called Bwlch yr Oernant, or "Pass of the Cold Stream". This isn’t just any drive; it's a blast from the past, a turnpike road dating back to 1811. The name comes from the horseshoe-like curves it cuts into the valley. This beauty snakes through the Clwydian Range, topping out at 419 meters (1,374 feet). Heads up, though – winter can be a beast. Snowfall and landslides mean closures sometimes, so keep an eye on the weather, especially if you're in a bigger rig. The 12.87-kilometer (8.0-mile) stretch from Llangollen (right on the River Dee) to Llandegla is all about slow and steady. The views are epic, but the winding road needs your full attention. The legendary Ponderosa café sits right at the summit, serving up coffee and even better views. This place is a magnet for cyclists and bikers. Prepare for some steep climbs, with gradients hitting 12% in spots, though it averages around 5%. Trust me, from the panoramas up top to the river at the bottom, you won't regret taking it slow.

An iconic Tour de France road to Col de Jaumoderate

An iconic Tour de France road to Col de Jau

🇫🇷 France

Col de Jau is a stunning high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,509m (4,950ft) in the Occitania region of southern France. It marks the boundary between the Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales departments, and if you're into exploring off-the-beaten-path spots, you'll want to check out the atmospheric ruins of the Cistercian abbey of Sainte-Marie de Jau nearby. This Eastern Pyrenees gem is fully paved, making it a solid choice for any road trip. The route runs 27.1 km (16.83 miles) total, connecting Mosset in the south to Sainte Colombe sur Guette in the north. You'll drive the D84 on the northern side and the D14 on the southern side. Now, let's talk about what you're getting into. This isn't a leisurely cruise—the road definitely tests your driving skills with grades hitting up to 9.8% in the steeper sections. From Mosset heading up, you're looking at a 13.6 km climb that gains 806 meters of elevation at an average gradient of 5.9%. Coming from the Sainte Colombe sur Guette side, the ascent stretches 13.4 km with 896 meters of elevation gain, averaging a punchier 6.7%. It's challenging but absolutely doable if you're prepared for some serious elevation gain.

Road trip guide: Conquering the Italian Via dei Saraceniextreme

Road trip guide: Conquering the Italian Via dei Saraceni

🇮🇹 Italy

# Via dei Saraceni: Italy's Epic Alpine Adventure Tucked away in the northern Italian Alps, Via dei Saraceni is an absolute beast of a road that'll make your heart race. This 20-km (12-mile) dirt track climbs to over 2,000 meters and ranks among Europe's highest roads—but fair warning: you'll need a serious 4x4 to tackle it. Built back in 1886, this unpaved military route (also called Strada militare Fenil-Pramand-Föens-Jafferau) is pure adventure. Expect relentless hairpin turns, mysterious tunnels, and jaw-dropping panoramic views at every switchback. The narrow sections are genuinely tight—we're talking single-vehicle width with zero guardrails in places—and some rocky bits can humble even experienced drivers, especially when weather turns sketchy. The real showstopper? **Galleria del Seguret** (aka Galleria dei Saraceni), an eerie 825-meter U-shaped tunnel that's pitch-black, waterlogged, and filled with deep puddles. Seriously bring powerful flashlights if you're on a bike or horseback. Then there's the stunning **Galleria Chanteloube**, a beautifully engineered concrete and stone tunnel that transforms into a waterfall when snow melts—photographer's dream right there. The road winds through the southwestern Alps, crossing three major passes: Colletto Pramand (2,087m), Monte Jafferau (2,805m), and Monte Seguret (2,204m). It's seasonal too—only open May through October—and that rocky section up to Forte Foens demands serious off-roading chops. **Coming prepared is non-negotiable.** Pack plenty of water (especially in summer), bring gear for sudden thunderstorms, and respect the rockfall risk. Wet conditions can turn this into a genuine challenge, but if you're ready for it, Via dei Saraceni delivers one unforgettable Alpine experience.