Road trip guide: Conquering La Villuerca in Extremadura
Spain, europe
5.4 km
1,603 m
moderate
Year-round
# La Villuerca: Spain's Brutally Steep Mountain Challenge
La Villuerca rises to 1,603m (5,259ft) in Cáceres Province, nestled in the Las Villuercas comarca of Extremadura in west-central Spain. The peak—also called Risco de la Villuerca or Pico la Villuerca—is crowned with relics of a former military era: abandoned installations from the defunct Base Centro Táctico CT2 (Guadalupe-Villuercas), complete with towering antennas and a heliport. The army base ran from the 1980s through the 90s before being completely decommissioned.
The road up? Fully asphalted but absolutely punishing. Branching off from the CC-97, the 5.4 km (3.35 mile) ascent gains a whopping 580 meters of elevation, averaging a relentless 10.74% gradient. Those final 600 meters are particularly brutal, averaging 9.6% with sections climbing a hair-raising 15%. Fair warning: the asphalt is packed with massive bumps that could seriously wreck your undercarriage.
Perched high in the Sierra de Villuercas range (also known as Sierra de Guadalupe), expect this peak to be snow-covered come winter. This isn't a leisurely Sunday drive—it's a proper test of your vehicle and your nerves. But for those seeking an epic mountain driving experience in Spain, La Villuerca delivers.
Where is it?
Road trip guide: Conquering La Villuerca in Extremadura is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 38.5268, -2.2054
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 5.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,603 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 38.5268, -2.2054
Related Roads in europe
moderateIs the road to Ørnesvingen paved?
🇳🇴 Norway
Okay, picture this: you're in western Norway, about to tackle the legendary "Eagle Road," or Ørnesvingen. Yep, it's paved the whole way, so no need to worry about gravel. Starting in Geiranger, you've got about 7.3 kilometers (a little over 4.5 miles) of pure driving bliss ahead of you… and by bliss, I mean seriously twisty fun! This isn't a road for the faint of heart. We're talking eleven hairpin bends as you climb from the fjord floor all the way up to Korsmyra, a whopping 620 meters (over 2,000 feet!) above sea level. Hold on tight, because in some parts, the road gets seriously steep – a one in ten incline! Just a heads-up if you're rolling in a mega-bus: the parking at the top is tiny, and anything over 15 meters long is a no-go. Plus, if you're visiting in May, double-check that the whole road is open. This road was officially opened back in 1955, and trust me, the builders knew what they were doing. The last turn before the top reveals *the* money shot: a ridiculously gorgeous view of the Geirangerfjord, the iconic Seven Sisters waterfall, and the charming village of Geiranger itself. Get ready to have your breath taken away!
moderateCV-827: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
🇪🇸 Spain
CV-827 is the name of a pleasant ride located in the comarca of Vinalopó Mitjà, in the province of Alicante of the autonomous community of Valencia, Spain. Tucked away in the Sierra del Maigmó mountain range, the CV-827 road is totally paved. It’s a spectacular drive recommended for cyclists, motorcycles and cars. The road is 10.3 km (6.40 miles) long, running south-north from Agost to Urbanització Bon Aire, on A7 road, near Vía verde del Maigmó (Norte). The road has steep ascents and descents, hitting a 13% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at Agost, the elevation gain is 316 meters. The average gradient is 3.06%. The drive features stunning scenery as it winds its way through interesting geology, pine forest, as good as many alpine routes. Road suggested by: Mike and Carol New What Is the Curious Phenomenon Happening on a Road in Malaga That Leaves Experts Astonished? 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.
hardWhere is Venta del Chaleco?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're in the heart of Andalusia, Southern Spain, ready to tackle the Venta del Chaleco. This mountain pass is your ticket to some seriously stunning views, tucked away in the sun-baked Granada province. Think white-washed villages clinging to hillsides, rugged terrain stretching as far as the eye can see, and you're getting close. This baby sits pretty in the Sierra Contraviesa range, a thermal sweet spot where the Mediterranean breeze meets the mountain air. Hello, panoramic views! We're talking the sparkling Med to the snowy peaks of Sierra Nevada's Mulhacén and Veleta. The road itself? Officially the GR-420, it's paved, but don't expect a smooth ride. It’s narrow with hairpin after hairpin, keeping you on your toes the whole way. The asphalt's generally in good nick, but watch out for crumbly edges where the weather's taken its toll. It’s a proper driver's road. From the Benínar Reservoir, you've got about 23km to the top. It’s a climb, that’s for sure. The average gradient is around 4%, but there are some steeper sections hitting 11%, especially as you leave the reservoir behind. That distance plus the insane amount of curves equals a slow but incredibly scenic cruise through vineyards and almond groves. The challenge here? It's all about those relentless twists and turns. Your brakes and gears are gonna get a workout! Summer heat can be intense, so make sure your ride's cooling system is up to the job. And even though it's a milder mountain range, winter can bring mists and even a touch of frost up at 1,300+ meters. This road is definitely for those who like their driving with a dash of "wild," well away from the usual tourist trails.
moderateKystriksveien Coastal Road is one of the 101 World’s most Scenic Routes
🇳🇴 Norway
# Kystriksveien: Norway's Ultimate Coastal Road Trip Ready for one of the world's most stunning drives? Kystriksveien—Norwegian County Road 17—stretches 630 kilometres along Norway's Nordland coastline, connecting Steinkjer in Trøndelag to Bodø in the north. You'll literally cross the Arctic Circle on this adventure, and National Geographic ranked it among the 101 most scenic routes on the planet for good reason. This winding, narrow (but fully paved) coastal highway is totally doable in a single day if you're in a rush—most drivers knock it out in 7-10 hours. But honestly? Don't do that. Set aside 4-5 days minimum. You'll need it to properly soak in the experience, especially since the route includes at least six ferry crossings (ranging from 10 minutes to an hour each). The islands themselves are worth exploring too. What makes Kystriksveien so special is the sheer variety packed into one drive. You've got charming fishing villages, pristine white sandy beaches, dramatic mountain peaks, and some seriously jaw-dropping fjords carved deep by ancient glaciers—some stretching over 200 kilometres inland. Along the way, you'll spot famous landmarks like Torghatten mountain, the Seven Sisters range, Svartisen glacier, and Saltstraumen, home to the world's most powerful whirlpools. With roughly 12,000 islands dotting the coast, there's endless exploring to be done. The traffic is light most of the time, though weekends and peak holiday season get busier. Gas stations and grocery stores are conveniently scattered along the route. One fun fact: this road was built by 144,000 prisoners during the 1940s. Pro tip—check the weather forecast before you go. This drive is genuinely magical in good conditions, so timing matters.