Puerto de San Rafael

Puerto de San Rafael

Spain, europe

Length

13.8 km

Elevation

1,560 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Conquering Puerto de San Rafael: A Scenic Climb Through Aragon

Ready for an epic mountain road adventure? The A-228 in Spain's Teruel province is calling your name! This charming little pass sits at a respectable 1,560 meters (5,118 feet), making it a perfect playground for road enthusiasts.

Starting from the quaint town of Mora de Rubielos, you've got a solid 13.8-kilometer climb ahead of you. Don't worry though—while the average gradient hangs around a manageable 3.8%, things do get spicy with some sections hitting up to 9.3%. That's the kind of challenge that keeps your adrenaline pumping! Over the course of your ascent, you'll gain 520 meters of elevation, so come prepared with a full tank and fresh legs.

The fully asphalted surface means smooth sailing all the way up—no sketchy gravel here. And here's the cool part: this route is legit enough to have been featured in Spain's prestigious Vuelta a España cycling race, so you know you're driving a path that's been tested by the pros.

Expect stunning mountain scenery as you wind your way through Aragon, with dramatic elevation changes and those gorgeous Spanish Pyrenean vistas that make your Instagram feed sing. Whether you're tackling this as a road trip highlight or a cycling challenge, Puerto de San Rafael delivers an unforgettable experience.

Where is it?

Puerto de San Rafael is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.8535, -3.9691

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Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
13.8 km
Max Elevation
1,560 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
40.8535, -3.9691

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