
The Road Through Boca del Infierno in Huesca is One of the World's Top Drives
Spain, europe
15 km
200 m
easy
Year-round
# Boca del Infierno (Mouth of Hell)
Ready for one of Spain's most breathtaking canyon drives? Head to Huesca in the Aragon region, near the Navarre border, and you'll find yourself in the stunning Hecho Valley. This is where the Aragón river has carved out an absolutely jaw-dropping gorge that'll make your heart race.
The 15-kilometer drive (locally known as carretera Selva de Oza) winds through a narrow canyon with towering vertical walls soaring over 200 meters high. You're basically driving on what used to be an ancient Roman route, now blasted through solid rock. Fair warning: some sections are barely wide enough for one car, so take it slow and hope you don't meet anyone coming the other way. Rock slides are a real hazard here, so stay alert.
As you navigate through, you'll pass stone tunnels carved directly into the canyon walls—pretty wild stuff. The drive runs from Echo heading north toward Refugio De La Cantina, and the whole route is paved, thankfully.
Nestled in the Pyrenees, this spectacular gorge features white-water rapids and incredible scenic passages around every turn. Watch out for ice cascades that can form on the road, especially in colder months. It's become hugely popular with motorcyclists, cyclists, and hikers who want to experience something truly special—think of it as Spain's answer to those famous balcony roads you see in France.
This is the kind of drive that stays with you.
Where is it?
The Road Through Boca del Infierno in Huesca is One of the World's Top Drives is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 39.5192, -3.8280
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 15 km
- Max Elevation
- 200 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 39.5192, -3.8280
Related Roads in europe
hardD428 is a balcony road through Vallon de Pierlas
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up, adventure lovers! Let's talk about the Vallon de Pierlas in the Alpes-Maritimes, France – picture-perfect Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. This isn't just any road; it's one of those legendary French balcony roads that will leave you breathless (literally and figuratively). The D428, a paved gem stretching about 7.3km from Pierlas to the D28, is carved right into the rock face. Think hairpin turns galore! But here's the kicker: some sections are seriously narrow. Hope you're good at reversing, because meeting another car could be…interesting. And hold on tight because this road gets *steep*. We're talking gradients up to a whopping 26% in places! You'll climb 542 meters in elevation, averaging a 7.42% gradient. This one's not for newbie drivers. This balcony road isn't joking around – sheer drops, minimal room for error, and views that'll make your jaw drop. Seriously, even looking at pictures might make your palms sweat! Just imagine conquering it in person!
moderateA mule path to Francesco Petrarca Refuge
🇮🇹 Italy
# Rifugio Francesco Petrarca: A High-Alpine Adventure Nestled in the stunning Texelgruppe Nature Park at a breathtaking 2,875 meters (9,432 feet), the Rifugio Francesco Petrarca (also known as Stettiner Hütte) sits among South Tyrol's most dramatic peaks. This legendary refuge perches in Italy's Autonomous Province of Bolzano, just a stone's throw from the Austrian border in the picturesque Passeier Valley. Here's where it gets interesting: forget your car for this one. The 14.7-kilometer (9.13-mile) route from Talplatt is strictly bikes-only—no motorized vehicles allowed on this completely unpaved mountain path. You're looking at serious elevation gain too: 1,502 meters of climbing with an eye-watering average gradient of 10.21%. Yeah, it's steep. This is legitimately one of Italy's highest bike routes, and it demands respect. The views? Absolutely spectacular. But come winter, the road transforms into an impassable obstacle—this is a summer-only adventure through some of the Alps' most pristine terrain. If you're after an authentic, challenging high-mountain experience that'll test both your legs and your mettle, this is it.
hardWhere is Col de l’Hysope?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: Col de l’Hysope, a seriously epic mountain pass nestled high in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region of France! We're talking Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur vibes, in the southeastern corner of the country. The D3 road? Paved, yes, but hold on tight. It's a twisty-turny adventure, super narrow in places, with some seriously steep sections cranking up to almost 15%! If you're not a fan of tight squeezes and hairpin heaven, maybe give this one a miss. Reversing skills are definitely a plus. This scenic route stretches for about 27 kilometers (or 17 miles for you imperial folks) between Authon and Champtercier. And the reward? A breathtaking natural viewpoint at the summit with a cute, tiny parking spot. Trust me, the views of Lac de Cema and Gorges de la Blanche are totally worth the white-knuckle drive! You won't forget this one.
extremeLes Tourniquets d'Astoin
🇫🇷 France
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Les Tourniquets d'Astoin! This is a seriously twisty, steep climb located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in France. Imagine snaking your way up a narrow road, switchbacking through six seriously tight hairpin turns – locals even call it Les Six Tournants! You'll gain some serious altitude, reaching 1,084 meters (3,556 feet) above sea level. The whole stretch is only about 550 meters long as you make your way from Bayons to Astoin on the D1 road. This road is so epic, it's actually featured as a stage in the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. Get ready for incredible views... and maybe a little bit of white-knuckle driving!