Mirador del Gresolet

Mirador del Gresolet

Spain, europe

Length

4.5 km

Elevation

1,575 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

# Mirador del Gresolet

Tucked away in the Pre-Pyrenees of Catalonia, Spain, the Mirador del Gresolet sits pretty at 1,575 meters (5,167 feet) above sea level. This natural lookout point in the Berguedà region offers absolutely stunning views overlooking the Gresolet valley, and the drive up there is definitely an adventure worth taking.

The route—Carretera del Mirador de Gresolet—winds through the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park and, while it's paved, it's narrow and seriously steep. Starting from the village of Saldes, you're looking at a 4.5 km climb that gains 326 meters in elevation, averaging a 7.24% grade with some sections hitting 9%. It's doable, but respect the road—especially when weather turns nasty. Winter conditions are no joke here. Heavy snowfall, avalanche risks, landslides, and patches of black ice can turn this drive treacherous in a heartbeat. Save this one for clear, dry days when you can actually enjoy the ride and soak in those incredible views without white-knuckling the steering wheel.

Where is it?

Mirador del Gresolet is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.3859, -3.7288

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Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
4.5 km
Max Elevation
1,575 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
40.3859, -3.7288

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