
N-340 in Tarragona is the most haunted road in Spain
Spain, europe
1,000 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Ever heard of a road so spooky, it's rumored to be the most haunted in Spain? Head down to Tarragona, in Southern Catalonia, and find the N-340. This major highway stretches a whopping 1,000 km from Barcelona all the way to Cádiz, but it's kilometer 159 near Alcanar, right by Los Alfaques camping, that gives people the creeps.
This fully paved stretch has a dark past. Back in '78, a tanker truck exploded, unleashing a horrific inferno and claiming 243 lives. Imagine the scene: families instantly turned to ash, people desperately fleeing, seeking refuge in the sea only to meet a scorching end. A tragedy etched in history.
But here's where it gets eerie. Drivers report seeing ghostly figures – men, women, and children – with blank stares along this section of the N-340. Some claim to spot kids in summer clothes wandering the road late at night. Are they apparitions of those who perished in the fire? Maybe it's just the power of suggestion in a place marked by such tragedy. What witnesses emphasize most is the terrifying stillness of these figures. So, if you're brave enough, take a drive, but be prepared for a potentially unsettling experience.
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 1,000 km
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateFurka Pass
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# The Furka Pass: A Swiss Alpine Classic If you're hunting for one of Switzerland's most iconic high-altitude drives, the Furka Pass is calling your name. Perched at a breathtaking 2,429 meters above sea level, this 38-kilometer beauty connects the cantons of Valais and Uri and serves as the gateway to the Rhone Glacier—the very source of the Rhone River itself. The drive from Gletsch to Hospental is pure Alpine drama. You'll climb from verdant valleys into an otherworldly landscape of jagged peaks and windswept plateaus, with the legendary Goldfinger car chase location from 1964 adding a splash of cinematic cool to your journey. The sweeping curves here are built for memorable drives, whether you're a Bond fan or just a lover of mountain roads. The Rhone Glacier is the real star, though it's visibly retreating thanks to climate change. Even so, it's still worth stopping for—they carve out an ice grotto each summer where you can actually walk inside glowing blue ice. The iconic Hotel Belvedere, dramatically perched above the glacier at a hairpin turn, has become a legendary photo spot (even if it's currently closed). Here's the best part: the Furka is part of a triumphant Alpine triple-pass circuit with the Grimsel and Susten passes nearby. Combine them all and you've got one unforgettable road trip. The pass opens June through October with perfectly maintained asphalt and solid guardrails, so the drive itself is surprisingly comfortable. For winter crossings or a nostalgic experience, hop on the historic Furka Steam Railway for a charming steam-powered adventure over the summit.
moderateTravel Guide to Col de Mahourat in the Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
Okay, so you're up for a real adventure, right? Then check out the Col de Mahourat, way up in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques of southwestern France! We're talking a whopping 1,740 meters (that's 5,708 feet!) above sea level. Perched right on the French-Spanish border in the western Pyrenees, getting to the top is a true off-road experience. Think rocky, gravelly goodness. Seriously, this is more of a chairlift access trail than a leisurely drive, so a 4x4 is a must. And heads up: expect it to be totally snowed in and impassable from around October until June. This isn't your average Sunday drive, but the views? Totally worth it!
extremeDriving the unpaved road to Col du Mottet in the Vanoise National Park
🇫🇷 France
# Col du Mottet: A High-Alpine Adventure Tucked away in the Savoie department of France, Col du Mottet sits at a seriously impressive 2,374 meters (7,788 feet) above sea level. This mountain pass—also known as Col de Roche Blanche—is nestled within the stunning Massif de la Vanoise, serving as the dramatic link between Valmorel and the Bellevilles valley. You'll find it at coordinates 45.4299, 6.4266, perched on a ridge that separates two valleys and offering jaw-dropping views toward the Mont Blanc massif. **What You're Getting Into** Fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The route climbs roughly 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) from Les Avanchers-Valmorel with unforgiving, sustained steepness—some sections hit a brutal 15% gradient. We're talking a narrow, unpaved service road with loose shale and chunky embedded rocks that'll test your nerves. Throw in wet conditions, and the whole thing transforms into a muddy nightmare with virtually zero traction. This is serious 4x4 territory. You'll need low-range gears, high clearance, and genuine skill to navigate the deep ruts without destroying your undercarriage. Add in the exposed hairpins with stomach-dropping vertical drops and zero safety barriers, and you've got yourself a proper challenge. **Timing Matters** Mark your calendar: this route is completely impassable from October through June thanks to heavy snow. Even beyond the weather, there are significant legal and access restrictions to contend with. Plan accordingly, bring your A-game, and respect what this mountain demands.
moderateRoad trip guide: Conquering Mur de Peguere in the Occitanie
🇫🇷 France
Mur de Péguère is a mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,375m (4,511ft) in France's Occitanie region, specifically in the Ariège department down in the southwestern Pyrenees. This beast is also known as Col de Péguère, and it's definitely earned its fearsome reputation among cyclists. The road here is D17—a fully paved route that's narrow in stretches and runs 27km (17 miles) from Serres-sur-Arget to Massat, heading north-south through the stunning Massif de l'Arize. The climb's gotten the attention of the Tour de France for good reason. Here's where it gets spicy: while the average gradient is a deceptive 7.9%, don't let that fool you. If you're tackling it from Massat (the shorter route), you're looking at 9.8km (6.1 mi) with 726m (2,382 ft) of elevation gain at an average 7.4% grade. Sounds manageable until you hit the section after Col des Caougnous—that's where the road ramps up to brutal 18%+ pitches that'll have your legs screaming. Coming from the Serres-sur-Arget side? You're in for the long haul: 18km (11 mi) climbing 872m (2,861 ft) at a gentler 4.8% average. The scenery alone makes the effort worth it, but those steeper kicks will test your mettle. You can also connect via the descent from Col de Portel if you're chaining climbs together.