Refuge des Camporells

Refuge des Camporells

France, europe

Length

7.1 km

Elevation

2,252 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! I just discovered a hidden gem in the French Pyrénées, right near the Spanish border: Refuge des Camporells! This mountain refuge sits pretty at a whopping 2,252m (7,388ft).

Getting there is half the fun – it's an unpaved road, so definitely bring your 4x4! This isn't a trip for winter warriors; aim for late spring to early fall to avoid the snow-packed mountain roads. Trust me, you'll want clear skies to soak in the views! The refuge is perched on the banks of l'Estagny del Mig lake, and the drive offers stunning vistas of Matemale, the Galbe Valley, and those gorgeous lakes.

The adventure kicks off from Station de ski de Formiguères. From there, it's a 7.1km climb to a peak of 2,411m (7,910ft) on the Serra de Dellà ridge. The high mountain scenery screams Pyrenees, with landscapes you won't find anywhere else. Get ready for some unforgettable photo ops!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
7.1 km
Max Elevation
2,252 m
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in europe

Where is Jafra?extreme

Where is Jafra?

🇪🇸 Spain

Jafra, also known as Jafre del Garraf, is an located in Spain's Catalonia region. It sits on a hill at about 189 meters above sea level, and today only ruins remain. But Jafra is more than just a ghost town — it is wrapped in legends of Melinda, the mysterious “girl on the curve” , whose spirit is said to haunt the unpaved road leading to the village and the crumbling ruins within. The abandoned town is located in , southwest of Barcelona, in the northeastern part of the country, within the Parc Natural del Garraf What’s the history of Jafra? The first written record of Jafra dates back to . Life in the village was never easy: the land was , with very little water, making farming extremely difficult. People cultivated wheat, vines, and livestock (mainly goats and wool), while also hunting hares, partridges, and rabbits . There was even a small for producing brandy and selling wine. Decline and Abandonment of Jafra Jafra was always poor in resources, but the of the late 19th century devastated its vineyards, worsening the situation. Like many rural communities in Spain, it suffered a massive as people left for towns with running water, sewer systems, and better living conditions , the town was abandoned. The church and cemetery were desecrated , and the remains were transferred to Olivella. In the , there were still about in the area, of which and the rest to Olivella. Many of these later turned into or were sold as plots to outsiders. Since then, Jafra has remained in ruins. Only parts of the church of Santa Maria de Jafre still stand. Over time, the abandoned buildings were vandalized, robbed, and looted. Diputació de Barcelona of land. A project called began restoring the village in , but it was quickly abandoned, and today there are no plans to resume it. To limit vandalism and ghost hunters, all official access points have been closed off The Legend of Melinda, the “Niña de la Curva” The fame of Jafra is tied to the legend of , known locally as its own According to the story, a wealthy Austrian family moved into the masía El Maset de Dalt y de Baix . Their children suffered from a serious that forced them to live away from sunlight, isolated from the world. Visitors were forbidden. The mother died giving birth to , the family’s only daughter. Soon after, her older siblings died, likely from the illness. Overcome by grief and fear of losing Melinda, the father is said to have lost his sanity. One day, while chasing Melinda in the garden, she fell into a and disappeared forever — along with her father, who was never seen again. Since then, legends say her ghost still roams the streets and woods of Jafra Ghostly Sightings on the Road Travelers driving the unpaved road to the town claim to have seen Melinda appear, just like the classic tale of the around the ghost town, some say Melinda appears to out of danger, pointing the way to safety. Others have reported hearing in the cemetery or witnessing There are even accounts of in the skies above Jafra, adding to its reputation as one of the most mysterious places in Catalonia. Reaching Jafra involves narrow, winding mountain roads , adding to its eerie reputation, especially at night. While it is technically abandoned and official access has been restricted , some visitors still explore the site. The most notable ruins are: church of Santa María de Jafre Architectural Heritage Inventory of Catalonia , once the residence of the Baron of Jafra, now reduced to collapsed walls. and the old cemetery. Today, Jafra is officially abandoned and in ruins, but its mix of tragic legends, ghost stories, and paranormal activity Catalonia’s most haunted destinations How long is the road to Jafra? The road to the town is , but most passenger vehicles can handle it, especially when it’s dry. Starting from near the ruins of the abandoned town. How to drive the demanding road to Coll de Boixols? The steep unpaved road to Pic Bony de l'Aigua Blanca in the Pyrenees 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.

Is the track to Pico Agujas unpaved? hard

Is the track to Pico Agujas unpaved? 

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I just found the ultimate off-road experience in León, Spain. Picture this: you're in Castile and León, ready to conquer Pico Agujas, a 2,101m (6,893ft) peak. Forget smooth tarmac; this baby is ALL unpaved. It’s actually a service road for the San Isidro ski resort chairlift, so you know it's gonna be epic. Think hairpin turns galore and gradients that'll make your engine sweat. Seriously, a 4x4 isn't just recommended, it’s essential! The route kicks off from the Aparcamiento Sector Cebolledo parking lot and stretches for just 3.8 km (2.36 miles), but don't let the short distance fool you. You'll climb a whopping 406m, averaging a crazy 10.68% gradient! You're smack-dab in the Redes Natural Park, so the scenery is gonna be out of this world. Just a heads-up: this road is usually snowed in from October to June, so plan your trip accordingly. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!

The steep road to Vallter 2000, the roof of Cataloniahard

The steep road to Vallter 2000, the roof of Catalonia

🇪🇸 Spain

# Vallter 2000: Catalonia's Alpine Challenge Perched at 2,156 meters (7,073 feet) above sea level in the stunning Camprodon Valley of Girona, Vallter 2000 is a ski resort that delivers serious thrills for anyone brave enough to tackle the road up. Welcome to what locals proudly call the roof of Catalonia. The C-771 is your ticket to the summit, and let me tell you—it's no leisurely Sunday drive. This asphalt ribbon hugs the mountainside with relentless hairpin turns and grades that'll make your legs feel like jelly (well, your car's transmission anyway). We're talking about a punishing 15% gradient at its steepest sections. Starting from the charming village of Setcases, you're looking at a 12-kilometer climb that gains 896 meters of elevation—averaging a tough 7.46% gradient the whole way up. It's demanding, it's breathtaking, and it's absolutely worth it. The good news? Most of the year, you'll have this road practically to yourself. Traffic is sparse, so you can focus on the incredible views and the technical driving ahead. Winter can throw a curveball occasionally, with weather closures keeping the pass shut down now and then, but generally, you can access it year-round. This road has earned its stripes too—it's been the finish line for stages in both La Volta a Catalunya and La Vuelta a España. That should tell you everything you need to know about how seriously cyclists (and drivers) take this beast.

Here's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Refuge de Moede Anternehard

Here's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Refuge de Moede Anterne

🇫🇷 France

Okay, so you're heading to Refuge de Moëde Anterne, perched way up in the Fiz Mountains in the French Alps? Get ready for an adventure! This mountain refuge sits at almost 6,600 feet, and getting there is half the fun. The road? Well, let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Think gravel, rocks, and a whole lotta bumps. You'll definitely want some experience tackling unpaved mountain roads before attempting this one. It's pretty steep in sections, and if it's been raining, expect some seriously muddy conditions. Definitely not a place to be if you're afraid of heights. On the bright side, the views are incredible! Plus, this area has some cool history – it was actually used as a hideout by French Resistance fighters during World War II. Just a heads up, this road is usually closed during the winter months.