
Pico del Chullo
Spain, europe
3.6 km
2,520 m
hard
Year-round
# Pico del Chullo: Spain's Ultimate High-Altitude Challenge
Ready for one of Spain's most intense driving experiences? Pico del Chullo sits pretty at 2,520m (8,267ft) on the Granada-Almería border in Andalusia, and it's definitely not your average Sunday drive.
Nestled in Sierra Nevada National Park, this gravel and rocky mountain road is genuinely heart-pounding—we're talking steep, bumpy terrain that'll test every ounce of your driving skills and nerves. Honestly? If you're prone to vertigo or worry about landslides, this one's probably not for you. It's consistently ranked among Spain's scariest roads for good reason.
The conditions here are no joke either. Winter pretty much shuts this place down from November through March thanks to snow and ice, and you'll absolutely need a 4x4 to attempt it. Pack extra layers too—expect serious cold and relentless winds at the top.
Starting from Puerto de La Ragua, you're looking at a brutal 3.6km climb with 476 meters of elevation gain. That translates to an average 13.2% gradient, though certain sections spike up to 20%. There's a mountain hut at the summit if you manage to make it up, which honestly feels like an accomplishment worth celebrating.
This is genuinely one for the adventure seekers and experienced mountain drivers only.
Where is it?
Pico del Chullo is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.8632, -5.6593
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 3.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,520 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.8632, -5.6593
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