The breathtaking road to Salto de la Cabra

# Salto de la Cabra: A Mountain Pass That'll Test Your Nerve

Ready for a challenge? Salto de la Cabra sits pretty at 1,109 meters (3,638 feet) in Cantabria's Picos de Europa range, and let me tell you—this isn't your Sunday drive. The route, known locally as Camino Casetón Andara, stretches 17.6 km from La Hermida eastward to a parking area on the CA-1 Road.

Here's the thing: this climb doesn't mess around. You're looking at gradients that hit 18% at their steepest, with an average grade of nearly 10% over the 10.1 km ascent. The elevation gain tops out at a lung-busting 1,003 meters.

The road itself is a mixed bag of surfaces. It starts smooth and paved at La Hermida, but once you pass through Bejes, you're transitioning to concrete, and the final push to the top? That's unpaved territory. Sections get genuinely narrow—tight enough that meeting another vehicle isn't just inconvenient, it's a real problem. Seriously, if you're not comfortable reversing a car, you might want to reconsider.

One more heads-up: parts of this route lack guard rails, so the exposure is real. The views from up here are spectacular, but stay sharp and take it slow. This one demands respect.