Pico de Cerler
Spain, europe
N/A
2,322 m
hard
Year-round
# Pico de Cerler: Spain's Ultimate High-Altitude Challenge
Ready to test your mettle? Pico de Cerler towers at a breathtaking 2,322m (7,618ft) in the Benasque Valley, deep in Spain's Pyrenees, and holds the distinction of being one of Spain's highest mountain roads.
Fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The route to the summit is a rocky, gravel affair that starts from Collado del Ampriu as a chairlift access trail. Picture incredibly steep terrain scattered with loose stones that only get worse the higher you climb. The upper sections are basically a boulder field.
Timing is everything here. You've got a super narrow window—think late August—when conditions are even remotely driveable. The rest of the year? Forget about it. And even during that brief summer window, don't be shocked if snow decides to crash the party. Winter temperatures are absolutely brutal.
Wind is a constant companion at this elevation. Seriously, it howls year-round, but especially in winter. The actual ski-station service road cranks up to 30% gradients in some sections, adding another layer of technical difficulty.
This is peak adventure territory—literally and figuratively. Come prepared, come in late summer, and come ready for one of Spain's most spectacular (and intense) mountain experiences.
Where is it?
Pico de Cerler is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 41.2120, -2.9778
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,322 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 41.2120, -2.9778
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Becco Rosso Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about the Becco Rosso Pass! You'll find this hidden gem straddling the border between France and Italy, specifically in the northwestern corner of Italy and the Alpes-Maritimes department of France's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Now, getting to the top is where things get interesting. Forget smooth asphalt, this is an old military road – more like a partially destroyed track, really – leading up to Colle di Costa Piana. Think rugged terrain, incredible views, and maybe a little off-road excitement. Keep in mind you're climbing high, so expect some serious elevation! It's the kind of place where you'll feel like you've truly escaped the everyday. Just a heads-up, this isn't your average Sunday drive, so come prepared for a bit of a challenge!
hardLac d'Aubert
🇫🇷 France
Okay, listen up, fellow road trippers! I've got a killer route for you in the French Pyrenees. We're talking Lac d'Aubert, a stunning alpine lake chilling at a cool 7,096 feet! This baby's tucked away in the Hautes-Pyrénées, part of the Midi-Pyrénées region in southwestern France. The road up? Seriously epic. Think one of the highest paved routes you can find in these mountains—even higher than some *other* famous climbs I won't name! Get ready for some serious fun as the cliff road winds its way around to the dam, throwing some seriously tight hairpin turns at you. Be warned, this isn't for the faint of heart. Expect some steep sections, maxing out at 15% grades. Plus, being so high up, snow is a real possibility in winter, and the road can close if things get too snowy. It's about 26 hairpin turns all the way to Pas de l’Escous. But trust me, the views are SO worth it!
hardWhere is Puerto de la Ragua?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Andalusia, Spain, and decide to take on Puerto de la Ragua. This mountain pass sits way up high at 2,046 meters, right on the border between Granada and Almería provinces. The road winds for about 29 kilometers from La Calahorra to Laroles, following the A-337. Now, the pavement isn't exactly perfect, but trust me, the views are worth it. You're in the heart of the Sierra Nevada National Park, so you can imagine the scenery! Heads up: this road can get a bit wild, especially on the north side in winter. We're talking steep sections (up to 9.1%!), narrow stretches (sometimes less than five meters wide), and plenty of sharp turns with serious drop-offs. Some spots don't even have guardrails! But hey, at least you won't be stuck in traffic – only about 200 cars a day use this route. The panoramic views are insane. From the top, you can scope out the plains of Marquesado, Sierra de Baza, and even as far as Sierra de Cazorla to the north. Look south, and you'll see the Sierra de Gador, the Mediterranean Sea, and on a clear day, even Africa! There's a huge parking lot at the summit, plus places to chill, hike, and even a spot for cross-country skiing. Seriously, this drive is an adventure for the senses!
hardBorcola Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo della Borcola: A Thrilling Alpine Climb Want to test your driving skills? Passo della Borcola, perched at 1,207 meters, sits right on the border between Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Veneto in northeastern Italy—a stunning location that rewards every twist and turn. The fully paved road (SP138 and SP81) is no joke: it's steep with tight sections and throws 19 hairpin turns at you to keep things interesting. If you're starting from Posina, you're looking at a 9.67 km push uphill with 650 meters of elevation gain—that's an average gradient of 6.7%, so your car will definitely feel it. Coming from Castello di Rovereto? Buckle up for the longer route: 22.23 km with 987 meters of elevation gain, though the gentler 4.4% average gradient makes it a bit more forgiving. Either way, this is classic Alpine driving—challenging enough to get your adrenaline pumping, but totally doable in a regular vehicle. The scenery alone makes the effort worth it, and those hairpins offer plenty of opportunities to catch your breath and snap some photos.