Puerto de Mijares, an absolute must for road lovers
Spain, europe
24.4 km
1,575 m
hard
Year-round
# Puerto de Mijares: A Mountain Pass Adventure in Spain
Nestled deep in the Sierra de Gredos mountains within the stunning Tiétar Valley, Puerto de Mijares sits at a breathtaking 1,575 meters (5,167 feet) in southern Ávila province. This is serious mountain pass territory in northwestern Spain's Castile and León region.
The AV-901 road stretching 24.4 km (15.16 miles) from Villanueva de Ávila to Mijares isn't for the faint of heart. You're looking at a relentless climb with gradients hitting a gnarly 10% in places—steep enough to make your engine work for every meter gained. The asphalt is mostly decent, though you'll encounter some pothole surprises and concrete patches near the top.
What really keeps you on your toes is the road's personality: endless hairpin turns, white-knuckle narrow sections where two medium-sized cars can't pass each other, and dramatic cliff edges without center line markings. It's the kind of pass that demands respect and full attention.
The good news? Traffic stays light, and you can technically attempt it year-round. Winter might throw closures at you during rough weather spells, but most of the year it's open for business. The pass has earned its stripes on the professional circuit too—it's been featured in Spain's famous Vuelta race, which tells you something about its challenging pedigree.
Where is it?
Puerto de Mijares, an absolute must for road lovers is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.0021, -4.7988
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 24.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,575 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.0021, -4.7988
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