
Roc del Quer
Andorra, europe
6.5 km
1,956 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Andorra, near the French border, in the parish of Canillo. You're heading towards Roc del Quer (aka Cap del Quer), and let me tell you, the views are going to blow your mind. This high mountain pass climbs to 1,956m (6,417ft) and the road there, the CS-240 (Carretera de Montaup), is a wild ride.
It's all twists, turns, and steep inclines as you connect the villages of Canillo and Ordino. The average gradient is around 6.56%, so get ready for some gear-shifting action! The road is generally open year-round, but be aware that winter weather can sometimes cause temporary closures.
Once you reach the top, you'll find a small parking area and a walkway opened in 2016 – get ready for some serious thrills! The walkway is 20 meters long, with 12 of those meters made of transparent glass, suspended a whopping 500 meters above the ground. If you're starting from Canillo, it's a 6.5 km climb with an elevation gain of 427 meters. Trust me, the panoramic views from the top are SO worth the adrenaline rush.
Road Details
- Country
- Andorra
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 6.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,956 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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