Puerto de Contreras
Spain, europe
17 km
724 m
moderate
Year-round
# Puerto de Contreras
Head over to this mountain pass sitting pretty at 724m (2,375ft) on the border between the Valencian Community and Castile-La Mancha in Spain. It's basically the scenic shortcut connecting Villargordo del Cabriel and Minglanilla, right along the main Madrid-to-Valencia corridor.
The road itself—officially called Cuestas de Contreras—is paved and totally drivable, though it's narrow and wonderfully quiet. You won't find much traffic up here, just stunning views and endless curves. Fair warning though: this isn't a leisurely cruise. The pass throws everything at you—relentless twists, steep climbs, and tight turns that'll keep even seasoned drivers on their toes. We're talking an average gradient of 4.71% with sections hitting 8%, spread across about 17 km of serious mountain road.
The route's got serious history too. Back in 1853, Lucio del Valle carved out the original road, but by 1969 a modern highway bypassed it completely. These days, you get to experience that classic mountain-pass vibe—all those hairpin turns that make the old route so thrilling.
While you're tackling the pass, check out the Contreras reservoir of the Cabriel river at the base, and you'll spot the skeletal remains of an old cement plant that adds an intriguing touch to the landscape. It's the kind of road that delivers both beauty and a real driving challenge.
Where is it?
Puerto de Contreras is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 39.8099, -3.7315
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 17 km
- Max Elevation
- 724 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 39.8099, -3.7315
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