Puerto de la Cubilla: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Spain, europe
28 km
1,692 m
hard
Year-round
Puerto de la Cubilla is a stunning high mountain pass sitting at 1,692 meters (5,551 feet) in Spain's northwestern corner, right where León province meets Asturias. Locals call it the Spanish Galibier—pretty cool nickname, right? It's tucked away in the Parque Natural Las Ubiñas y de la Mesa, with a handy parking lot waiting for you at the top.
The Asturian side is fully paved (that's the LN-8), and it's a legitimately impressive climb. Starting from Campomanes, you're looking at 28 kilometers of winding mountain road with 1,305 meters of elevation gain. The average gradient sits around 4.66%, but don't let that fool you—there are sections that kick up to a gnarly 10%. This road's got some serious credentials too: it's been featured in the Vuelta a España. The upside? Traffic is virtually nonexistent.
Fair warning though: winter can be rough on this road. The Cantabrian Mountains throw some nasty weather at it, so you'll spot some bumpy patches that deserve your respect on the descent. The good news is the road usually stays open year-round, though occasional winter closures happen when conditions get truly gnarly.
Want to explore the other side? The Castile side is completely unpaved, so you'll need a high-clearance vehicle if you're adventurous enough to tackle it. Either way, this is one seriously rewarding mountain drive.
Where is it?
Puerto de la Cubilla: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 38.4673, -4.4916
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 28 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,692 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 38.4673, -4.4916
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Avoriaz located?
🇫🇷 France
Avoriaz is a world-renowned ski resort located in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, within the commune of Morzine, in France. Perched on a cliff at an elevation of above sea level, the station is famous for its avant-garde architecture and its legendary status in professional cycling. Where is Avoriaz located? The resort is situated in the Haute-Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in the south-eastern part of the country, near the Swiss border. It was built in the 1960s on a former mountain pasture. Unlike most Alpine stations, Avoriaz was designed to be fully integrated into the landscape, with wood-clad buildings that mimic the surrounding rock formations. Morzine (Haute-Savoie) D338 (Route d'Avoriaz) Note: Avoriaz is a car-free resort. Mandatory winter equipment required from November to April. How challenging is the climb to Avoriaz? The road leading to the resort is fully paved. It’s called Starting from Morzine, the ascent—known as the —is 11.7km (7.2 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 795 meters, with an average gradient of 6.85% . However, don't let the average fool you; several sections reach , especially through the series of hairpin bends that overlook the valley. The Tour de France Heritage Avoriaz holds a special place in cycling history. It was the very first ski resort to host a Tour de France stage finish in 1975 (won by Vicente López Carril). Since then, it has appeared in the race numerous times, serving as a battleground for legends. The climb is often used as a final test for the "GC contenders" due to its steady but demanding rhythm. Morzine (Haute-Savoie) D338 (Route d'Avoriaz) Note: Avoriaz is a car-free resort. Mandatory winter equipment required from November to April. Driving to a Car-Free Resort If you are planning to drive to Avoriaz, keep in mind that the resort itself is entirely . Visitors must leave their vehicles in the large indoor or outdoor parking lots at the entrance (known as ). From there, horse-drawn sleighs or electric shuttles transport guests to their accommodation, making it a unique destination in the Alps. Can I drive to Avoriaz year-round? The road is well-maintained as it serves a major ski hub, but during winter, snow chains or winter tires are mandatory. The D338 is a wide, safe road, but the descent can be fast and technical, requiring good braking skills and caution due to the frequent mountain traffic and cyclists. A gravel road to Lac de Plan d'Amont Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeWhere is Col du Mottet?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up adventure junkies! Col du Mottet, also known as Col de Roche Blanche, is a seriously rad mountain pass nestled high in the French Alps, specifically in the Savoie department. We're talking about the Massif de la Vanoise area, connecting Valmorel to the Bellevilles valley at a lung-busting altitude of [elevation]. You'll find it east of [location], right at the top of the Valmorel ski resort. Picture this: you're cruising along a narrow, unpaved service road, high above the valleys. The terrain? Think loose scree, embedded rocks, and if it's been raining (likely at this altitude), a whole lotta mud. This isn't a drive for your average hatchback! You absolutely need a 4x4 beast with low-range gears and serious clearance. We're talking deep ruts and potential undercarriage carnage if you're not careful. The climb from Les Avanchers-Valmorel is only about 10km (6.21 miles), but don't let the distance fool you. It's a relentless uphill battle with some sections hitting a crazy 15% gradient. Plus, the road is super narrow, clinging to the mountainside with some exposed hairpin turns and major drop-offs. Heart. Pounding. Views! But here's the thing, and it's a big one: access. This isn't a simple Sunday drive. First, it's usually buried under snow from October to June. Second, and this is important, it's technically a service road for the ski resort. Third, it borders the Vanoise National Park, and those "Core Zone" rules are no joke. Motorized traffic is often a no-go! So, while the views towards Mont Blanc are insane, and the ruggedness is off the charts, you need to do your homework. Check local regulations (arrêtés municipaux) before you even think about heading up. Trespassing in the park or using restricted service roads can land you with a hefty fine, and maybe even a towed vehicle! But if you do it right (legally and with the right vehicle), it's an alpine adventure you won't soon forget!
moderateCollado Zamora
🇪🇸 Spain
# Collaco Zamora Pass: A Wild Andalusian Adventure Ready for some serious off-road vibes? Head to Collado Zamora, a 1,446-meter (4,744-foot) mountain pass tucked away in Jaén province in southeastern Andalusia. This gem sits right in the heart of the Sierra de Segura range, and honestly, it's a playground for adventurous drivers. The route—marked as JV-7107—is pure gravel and rock, with plenty of bumpy, tilted sections that'll keep you on your toes. Fair warning: winters basically shut this road down, so plan your trip accordingly. That said, if you've got some off-roading experience under your belt, you'll love this challenge. A high-clearance 2WD vehicle can handle it just fine at slow speeds when conditions are dry. The road is maintained enough that you won't face catastrophic washboarding or deep ruts, but it's definitely not a Sunday cruise. The payoff? You'll reach a mountain refuge at the summit with some seriously stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Perfect for a pit stop or just soaking in the landscape. This is the kind of road that separates casual drivers from true adventure seekers. It's raw, it's scenic, and it demands respect—but that's exactly what makes it worth the drive.
hardColl de Pradelles
🇫🇷 France
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! I've found a real gem tucked away in the French Pyrénées, right near the Spanish border: Coll de Pradelles. This bad boy climbs to a cool 1,995 meters (that's 6,545 feet!), so you know the views are going to be epic. The road, known as the D89, is paved, but hold onto your hats – it gets seriously narrow in places. We're talking "squeeze-by-another-car-with-inches-to-spare" narrow! It’s also a bit of a climb, with an average gradient of 4.6%. The pass is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather forecast in winter, because snow can shut it down for a bit. And no matter when you go, be ready for some serious wind and potentially chilly temps up top. Trust me, the incredible scenery is worth it!