Mirador de los Valles
Spain, europe
N/A
2,208 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, so picture this: you're in northeastern Spain, Huesca province, heart of the Pyrenees. You want killer views? Head for Mirador de los Valles. It's a natural lookout and chairlift spot perched way up high at 2,208 meters (that's 7,244 feet!).
Now, getting there is an adventure. It's not paved – think gravel, rocks, bumps, and a bit of a tippy-toe feeling. It's basically a chairlift access road for the Aramon Formigal-Panticosa ski resort. Forget about it in winter; snowed in! This is 4x4 territory only, and you need some off-road skills. Seriously, if unpaved mountain roads aren't your thing, maybe skip this one. And if heights make you queasy, definitely skip it! It's a steep climb, and wet weather turns the road into a muddy mess. But the views? Totally worth it for experienced adventurers!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,208 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere are the Çatalca Tunnels?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Just outside of Istanbul, Turkey, you'll find the Çatalca Tunnels, a pair of totally cool highway tunnels that made history! Where? They're smack-dab in Istanbul Province, in a central spot within the Marmara Region, on the eastern side of Turkey. These tunnels are completely paved and part of the Otoyol 7 (O-7) motorway, also called the Northern Marmara Highway. One tunnel is 549 meters (1,801 ft) long, and the other is 511 meters (1,677 ft). The toll highway itself is a whopping 243 km long between the Kınalı and Akyazı junctions, boasting eight lanes and bypassing Istanbul to the north. These tunnels are famous because an Italian pilot named Dario Costa completed a crazy feat: flying an airplane through *two* tunnels! Nobody had *ever* done that before. This was a complicated challenge he dreamed of for years, but he totally nailed it. It took him just 43.44 seconds, hitting average speeds of 245 kph and a top speed of 303.08 km/h (188.07 mph) in the second tunnel. The flight was just 2.26 km, but it required insane precision, starting in one tunnel, going through a short stretch of open highway, and then diving into the second tunnel. Over a year of prep and 40+ people went into making this record-breaking flight a reality! The most critical moment? When Costa had to navigate the plane through a 360m gap between the tunnels, battling crosswinds. He totally crushed it and even did a loop afterwards!
hardWhere is Peña Escrita?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, buckle up thrill-seekers, because Peña Escrita in Granada, Spain is not for the faint of heart! This mountain climb is straight-up TERRIBLE... in the best way possible for adrenaline junkies. Tucked away in eastern Andalusia, reaching this 1,175m (3,854ft) peak is an adventure in itself. The road's fully paved (mostly), but don't expect a smooth ride. We're talking narrow, winding roads with hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. And get this – the summit once housed a remote zoo! Sadly, it's closed most of the year, but still worth the climb. The road stretches for 12.7 km (7.89 miles) from the A-7, but those miles pack a PUNCH! You'll be climbing 1,301m with an average gradient of 10.24%. Oh, and did I mention some sections hit a staggering 27%? Seriously, this is known as the "southern beast" for a reason. The last couple kilometers offer some respite, but by then, you'll already be hooked. Plus, if you make it to the top you can even paraglide off it. Dreamy!
hardThe unpaved road to Feudo Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo Feudo: A Serious Alpine Adventure Ready for a proper mountain challenge? Passo Feudo sits at a seriously impressive 2,190m (7,185ft) in Italy's Trento province, and this isn't your typical scenic drive. Let's be real: this is a rough, unpaved track that's strictly 4x4 territory. You'll actually need special vehicle documentation just to attempt it. If mountain roads make you nervous or heights aren't your thing, skip this one—it's genuinely steep and demands serious wheeling skills. The good news? The effort pays off. You've got the Rifugio Passo Feudo mountain refuge waiting at the summit, and this route doubles as the chairlift access road if you're curious about the area. The scenery is genuinely outstanding. Fair warning though: Mother Nature basically locks this place down from October through June, so you're looking at a pretty tight season. This is absolutely one for experienced off-roaders only—think of it as your credentials check that you genuinely know what you're doing on these kinds of trails.
moderateWhere is Cormet de Roselend?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Alps on the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes and you come across the Cormet de Roselend. This beauty of a pass sits way up high at almost 2,000 meters! You'll find it snuggled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, practically waving to Italy. "Cormet" basically means "summit," so you know you're in for a treat. This paved road, known as the D902 and D925, stretches for about 40 kilometers. Get ready for some serious hairpin action – we're talking 22 tight turns as you wind your way from Beaufort to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Heads up, though: like many alpine roads, this one usually shuts down in winter. This climb isn’t for the faint of heart. It's been a part of the Tour de France, so you know it’s got some bite! Some sections hit a 12% gradient, so be prepared for a workout. From Beaufort, it’s a 20km climb, gaining over 1,200 meters at an average of 6%. If you are coming from Bourg Saint Maurice, it’s around 19km, climbing over 1,100 meters, with steepest sections at 10%. Expect a steady start with plenty of shade, but after about 5km, hold on tight for a series of ten hairpin turns with 8% gradients. Is it worth it? Absolutely! The views are killer. As you pass through the Vallée des Glaciers, keep your eyes peeled for Mont Blanc. And then there's the Lac de Roselend on the west side, a gorgeous reservoir that takes this whole experience to another level. Think alpine meadows, cowbells, and panoramic views that just keep getting better and better. This pass is a must-do!