Puerto de las Coberteras, a challenging yet scenic road to the summit

Puerto de las Coberteras, a challenging yet scenic road to the summit

Spain, europe

Length

67 km

Elevation

1,254 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Hey adventurers, picture this: You're cruising through sunny Andalusia in southern Spain, specifically the Jaen province. You're heading into the Sierra Sur de Jaén mountains, and about to tackle the Puerto de las Coberteras, a pass sitting pretty at 1,254m.

Now, let's be real, this isn't your average smooth highway. The pavement's narrow, a little rough around the edges with some potholes and loose gravel. It was fixed up in 2018, but still expect an uneven ride. And keep an eye out for those pesky rock slides!

A heads up – the reservoir road is gated off every evening between 8 PM and 8 AM. The climb up from Embalse de Quebrajano reservoir is a steep one, a 6.7km push gaining 464m in elevation, averaging almost 7%. Some sections kick up to a leg-burning 15%! But hey, you'll be rewarded with some seriously amazing scenery along the way!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
67 km
Max Elevation
1,254 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

A narrow mountain road to Passo delle Erbehard

A narrow mountain road to Passo delle Erbe

🇮🇹 Italy

Passo delle Erbe is a stunning high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,993 meters (6,538 feet) above sea level in South Tyrol, nestled in Italy's Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region. The fully paved route to the summit—also known as Würzjoch and Ju de Börz—is officially labeled Strada Provinciale 29 (SP29). Once you reach the top, you'll find a cozy hotel, restaurant, and spacious parking lot waiting for you. Stretching 44.9 km (27.89 miles) from Brixen in the west to San Martino in Badia in the east, this pass connects Val Badia with the Lüsen valley of Val d'Isarco. It's a scenic ribbon through the heart of the Dolomites that'll make your heart skip a beat. Here's the thing—accessibility varies by season. Coming from the east? You're good year-round. Approaching from the west? Plan your trip for mid-spring through late autumn. Fair warning: this road is narrow, and you'll likely find yourself pulling over multiple times to let oncoming traffic squeeze past. The climb is seriously steep too, with some sections hitting a jaw-dropping 16.3% gradient. But that's part of the charm, right? Every challenging curve rewards you with views that'll make the whole drive worth it.

Vathi Beach, one of the Greece's top coastal drivesmoderate

Vathi Beach, one of the Greece's top coastal drives

🇬🇷 Greece

Okay, picture this: you're in Crete, practically at the island's southern tip, heading toward Vathi Beach, a secret cove just begging for some chill time. Forget the crowds, this is your personal slice of paradise nestled at the end of a tiny gorge, hugged by towering cliffs. Now, getting there is half the adventure! You’ll kick things off near Monastiri Odigitrias and embark on a 9-kilometer trek that's more off-road than highway. Let’s be real – this isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking a seriously rough trail that'll test your mettle (and your car!). Normal cars? Nope. You'll need a 4x4 – trust me on this one. Keep an eye out for gates along the way – you'll need to open them to pass, then close them again to keep the local livestock from wandering off. But hey, the views? Totally worth it! Think endless sea vistas and mind-blowing rock formations that look straight out of a movie. Just remember to take it slow, stay focused, and be ready for anything. Vathi Beach and its crystal clear water is waiting!

Gaislachkoglbahn: The Thrilling James Bond Mountain Roadextreme

Gaislachkoglbahn: The Thrilling James Bond Mountain Road

🇦🇹 Austria

# Gaislachkoglbahn: A Bond-Worthy Alpine Adventure Want to drive where James Bond himself did? The Gaislachkoglbahn peak sits at a jaw-dropping 3,018 m (9,901 ft) in Austria's Ötztal valley, right near the Italian border in Tyrol. This isn't just any mountain road—it's the actual filming location for the pulse-pounding action scenes in Spectre, and it claims the title of one of Europe's highest roads. The 5.9 km (3.66-mile) climb from the iconic Ötztal Glacier Road is no joke. You'll gain 960 m of elevation with an average gradient of 16.27%—and some sections hit a brutal 25%. The road starts out paved until the middle station at 2,174 m, then transforms into a gnarly, rocky single-track that'll test your driving skills big time. This upper section is seriously steep and covered in rough rock, so traction is everything. The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. You're surrounded by over 250 stunning three-thousand-metre peaks in the Weisskamm group. At the summit, grab a bite at the mountaintop restaurant and soak in those expansive Alpine views. Fair warning: this road is completely closed from October through June, so plan your visit for the summer months only. When the 007 crew filmed here in 2014/15, they had 500 people and all the movie magic money could buy. You'll have just your vehicle and your nerve—but honestly? That might be even better.

Where is Stalheimskleiva?hard

Where is Stalheimskleiva?

🇳🇴 Norway

Okay, picture this: you're in Norway, a few miles north of Voss, ready to tackle Stalheimskleiva! This isn't just any road; it's a legendary, super-steep, serpentine mountain road that clocks in at just under 2 kilometers. Get ready for a wild ride, because this baby has a crazy 20% gradient in spots! That makes it one of the most intense roads in Northern Europe. You'll climb 244 meters through thirteen hairpin bends. Seriously, these turns are tight! This used to be a two-way street, but now it's down to a single lane. Keep in mind, you can usually only drive it from late June/early July to late October, snow permitting. Plus, it's currently closed for maintenance, with whispers it might not reopen due to wear and tear. Fingers crossed it does, because the views are insane. "Road between the waterfalls" doesn't lie! You'll be clinging to the side of a ridge between the impressive Sivlefossen waterfall (a 140-meter drop!) and the Stalheimsfossen waterfall (126 meters!). And the views of the UNESCO-listed Nærøydalen valley? Unforgettable! Just imagine that postal route! It’s a short drive (6 minutes, they say), but so worth it for the thrill and the scenery.