Puerto de Navalmoral, an iconic Vuelta a España climb
Spain, europe
26.7 km
1,517 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the heart of Spain, in the province of Ávila, ready for an epic mountain adventure. That's where you'll find Puerto de Navalmoral, a seriously stunning pass that tops out at a cool 1,517 meters (or nearly 5,000 feet!).
This beauty is nestled in the Sierra de Gredos mountains, and the road that takes you there – the AV-900 – is a smooth, paved dream. But don't get too comfy! This isn't a boring drive. Think endless twists and turns as you climb from the Amblés valley to the Alberche valley.
The road is usually pretty quiet, so you can really soak in the scenery. You can hit this road year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter – things can get dicey and lead to temporary closures. Keep in mind, this route has been featured in the Spanish Vuelta, so you know it's a serious climb, with some sections hitting a gradient of 8.3%! The whole pass stretches for 26.7 kilometers (about 16.6 miles) running from Ávila to Navalmoral. Get ready for some views!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 26.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,517 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardColla Domenica
🇮🇹 Italy
# Colla Domenica: A Hidden Alpine Gem Tucked away in Liguria's Province of Imperia, Colla Domenica sits pretty at 947 meters (3,106 feet) and is absolutely worth the adventure. Fair warning though—this isn't your typical smooth highway experience. The route up is all gravel, delightfully steep, and refreshingly narrow, which means you'll really *feel* like you're going somewhere special. Just skip this one after heavy rain unless you fancy getting stuck! What makes the summit truly magical? A charming little church dedicated to Madonna della neve (Our Lady of the Snow) that's been welcoming weary travelers for generations. It's the kind of place that makes you realize why people fall in love with these wild, unpaved Alpine passes in the first place. The raw, rugged beauty of this road through the Italian mountains is exactly what adventure seekers live for.
extremeTravelling through the unpaved road from Corovode to Piskove
🇦🇱 Albania
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're craving a truly off-the-beaten-path experience in Albania, the Çorovodë-Piskovë Road is calling your name! We're talking about a wild, unpaved gravel track snaking through the southern Albanian mountains. Stretching for about 40km between the villages of Çorovodë (Berat County) and Piskovë (Gjirokastër County), this isn't a quick jaunt. Budget at least 3 hours to conquer it. A 4x4 isn't just recommended—it's a must! Picture this: a narrow, exposed road carved into steep, gravelly slopes and rocky faces. Hairpin curves and heart-stopping drop-offs will keep you on your toes. Pray you don't meet anyone coming the other way in certain stretches! This route is best tackled in dry conditions, as rain can turn sections muddy and treacherous. But the views? Totally worth it! The road climbs to a breathtaking 956m above sea level in the Fir of Hotova National Park. Plus, the Osum River has carved out some incredible canyons along the way, perfect for a refreshing dip. Trust me, you'll want to stop often and soak it all in!
extremeDriving the old military road to Schlusseljoch in South Tyrol
🇮🇹 Italy
# Schlüsseljoch: A Bucket-List Alpine Challenge Perched at 2,212m (7,257ft) in the stunning Zillertal Alps, Schlüsseljoch is one of those legendary passes that separates the adventurous from the faint-hearted. Known locally as Col della Chiave or Passo della Chiave, this mountain gateway sits right on the border between Italy's South Tyrol and Austria, bridging the Val di Vizze to the west with the Valle Isarco to the east. Here's where it gets interesting: the entire 14.1 km (8.76 miles) route is unpaved. This old military track, built with strategic purposes in mind, isn't your typical smooth mountain pass. We're talking narrow, rough, seriously damaged surfaces with steep sections and teeth-rattling hairpin turns. If you're bringing wheels, you'll absolutely need a high-clearance 4x4—and even then, you might want to reconsider. The drive starts near the village of Borgone on the SP508 Road and finishes at the SS12 near Terme di Brennero. It's slow going, demanding every ounce of your vehicle's (and your) capability. **Fair warning though:** many high mountain tracks in South Tyrol are now off-limits to regular vehicles. Before you pack the car, check local regulations around the Sterzing/Vipiteno area first. If it's closed to cars, don't worry—the Schlüsseljoch has become a legendary (and brutal) playground for mountain bikers and hikers. Also worth knowing: this pass gets buried under snow from late October through June, and there's zero winter maintenance. Winter driving? Not happening.
moderateGuide to the top of Pic Maido in Réunion
🇫🇷 France
Pic Maïdo is this stunning high-altitude peak perched at 2,189m (7,181ft) above sea level in Réunion, a French overseas department sitting pretty in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Tucked away in the Piton des Neiges massif on the island's western side, the road up to this volcanic summit—locals call it the "balcony of Reunion Island"—is fully paved, but don't expect a leisurely cruise. Think narrow, twisty switchbacks that'll keep you on your toes. It's officially called Route Forestière n°8 du Maïdo, or Maïdo Forest Road if you prefer. Starting from the RF6 road, you're looking at a 5.4 km (3.35 miles) climb that gains 424 meters in elevation. That works out to an average gradient of 7.85%, but heads up—some sections ramp up to a punchy 12% grade that'll definitely test your driving skills. At the top, you'll pull into a parking lot where a climatological station sits. But honestly, the real reward is the drive itself. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, with sweeping vistas of the ocean and nature reserves stretching out before you. From up here, Maïdo towers over the Cirque de Mafate by more than 1,000 meters, and you get incredible views down to the island's west coast. Totally worth the twisty climb.