Refugi de la Pleta del Prat
Spain, europe
3 km
1,720 m
hard
Year-round
Refugi de la Pleta del Prat is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.720m (5,643ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of the Pallars Sobirà in Catalonia, Spain.
Located in the Alt Pirineu Natural Park, near the French border, the road to the refuge is asphalted but pretty narrow (especially the last 3km). Its many twists, turns and narrows can pose a challenge to even the most experienced drivers. This route is not recommended if your passengers are prone to car sickness. Expect a road pretty steep. Starting from Tavascan, the ascent is 10.2 km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 592 meters. The average gradient is 5.80%.
South the refuge, a ski-station service road climbs up to 2.198m (7,211ft) above the sea level, to the Tavascan station chairlift. The slope is very steep, consists of loose stones and becomes even steeper and rocky in the upper part. This trail can be done only a very narrow time-frame in the summer (end of August). The wind is usually quite strong at mountain areas. High winds blow here all year long.
Pic: Pensat en 360, Barcelona
Cerro de Los Murciélagos
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.
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,720 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhat are the highest roads in Norway?
🇳🇴 Norway
# Norway's Epic Mountain Roads Norway is this long, dramatic sliver of a country clinging to the western edge of Scandinavia, stretching all the way from the North Sea up to the Arctic Ocean. Sure, everyone talks about the coastline—and honestly, those fjords and 50,000-plus islands are absolutely stunning—but what really gets us excited is what's happening inland. About two-thirds of Norway is just *mountains*. We're talking soaring peaks, sprawling plateaus, and some seriously rugged terrain that basically cuts the country in half. With Sweden, Finland, and Russia all pressing in from the borders, Norway had to get creative about how to connect its communities. The result? An incredible network of high mountain roads and passes that'll take your breath away (besides the altitude, that is). These routes wind through some of Northern Europe's most wild and untamed landscapes. If you're the type who lives for dramatic scenery and roads that make you feel genuinely alive, Norway's mountain passes are basically mandatory on your bucket list. You're not just driving here—you're experiencing some of the continent's most jaw-dropping terrain up close and personal.
moderateDriving a paved mountain road to San Glorio Pass in Picos de Europa
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto de San Glorio Want to experience some serious mountain driving? The Puerto de San Glorio is a stunning high-altitude pass sitting at 1,604m (5,262ft) right on the border between Cantabria and Castile and León in northwestern Spain. It's the kind of place that makes your heart race just thinking about it. The 36.8 km (22.86 miles) route connects the charming village of Potes in Cantabria with Portilla de la Reina in León, snaking through the dramatic Picos de Europa mountain range. You'll be tackling the N-621—a fully paved road that used to go by San Clovis or San Clovio—and yes, it gets seriously steep. We're talking maximum gradients of 11.0% on some sections that'll definitely test your nerve and your brakes. The summit area is pretty cool too. There's a parking lot where you can catch your breath, plus a paved road leading to the Collado de Llesba viewpoint—perfect for those Instagram-worthy mountain vistas. Word on the street is they're planning to build a ski resort up here, which would be incredible. Good news: the pass stays open year-round, so you can tackle it whenever you want. Fair warning though—this pass is famous enough to regularly feature in the Vuelta a España cycling race, so you know it's no joke. Oh, and keep an eye out for local wildlife; the area is crucial habitat for Spain's bear population, so drive respectfully through this natural treasure.
extremeWhere is Col de la Machine?
🇫🇷 France
Cruising through the Drôme department of France? You HAVE to check out the Col de la Machine! This epic mountain pass sits at a cool 1,011m (3,316ft) and is part of the famous balcony roads in the French Alps. Built way back between 1861 and 1898, this route is legendary and known as the D76. Think sheer drops, short tunnels, and a road carved right into the side of the Vercors massif – it's all about those views (and maybe a little vertigo!). The road stretches for 31 km (19.26 miles) between Saint-Jean-en-Royans and Vassieux-en-Vercors, running north to south. Picture this: you're driving on a road seemingly etched into towering cliffs, passing through tunnels and natural arches. It's wild! Seriously, pull over and take it all in. The drop is real. Cyclists and motorcyclists, you've been warned! That low wall isn't going to save you, so keep it centered.
moderateA tricky scenic road to Alto de Trobaniello
🇪🇸 Spain
# Alto de Trobaniello: A Hidden Gem in Asturias If you're looking for a seriously challenging climb that'll test both your car and your nerve, Alto de Trobaniello in Spain's Asturian mountains is calling your name. This mountain pass sits at 1,625 meters (5,331 feet) and offers an unforgettable ride through some stunning terrain. Starting from Santa Marina, you're looking at a 17-kilometer ascent with a whopping 1,068 meters of elevation gain—that averages out to 6.3%, but trust me, it gets gnarlier than that. The first stretch is deceptively chill: about 6 kilometers of smooth asphalt through charming mountain villages at a manageable 4.8% gradient. It's the kind of warm-up that lulls you into a false sense of security. Then things get real. After 5 kilometers, the pavement gives way to unpaved terrain dotted with concrete sections. The road climbs relentlessly, with sections hitting over 15% gradient. Brace yourself for the brutal middle section—between kilometers 12.5 and 13.5 (or about 3.5 kilometers from the summit), the average gradient hits a punishing 12.7%. This is where you'll really feel it. The good news? The unsurfaced surface is rough enough for cars to handle—just be prepared for a gravel and concrete experience rather than smooth tarmac. You'll trade comfort for an incredibly rewarding journey through Asturian mountain scenery that most casual travelers never experience.