The sensational road to Formentor Lighthouse in Mallorca
Spain, europe
10.9 km
119 m
extreme
Year-round
# Far de Formentor: Mallorca's Most Breathtaking Drive
Perched at 119 meters (390 feet) above sea level, the Far de Formentor lighthouse sits like a crown jewel at the northern tip of Mallorca's Formentor peninsula. Built back in 1863 to guide ships safely through the night, this stunning beacon marks the beginning of an unforgettable adventure.
The 10.9-kilometer (6.77-mile) journey on the perfectly paved MA2210 road starts at Platja de Formentor and is nothing short of spectacular. Sure, the lighthouse itself has a bar and shop for post-drive refreshments, but honestly? The real attraction is the road itself.
**Buckle up—this isn't for the faint of heart.** The route climbs a serious 1,600 meters (5,200 feet) with gradients typically around 7-8%, though you'll hit some gnarly 10%+ sections. But here's the kicker: the road hugs the edges of dramatic limestone cliffs with absolutely jaw-dropping drop-offs over the sea. Vertigo sufferers, skip this one.
Engineer Antonio Parietti designed this serpentine masterpiece in 1925 with pure genius—where the slope got too steep, he curved. The result? A road that winds around the mountains like an abandoned silk ribbon, with pine trees seemingly defying gravity as they sprout from the rocks.
**Here's the catch:** Summer access is limited. From June 15th to September 15th, private cars are barred between 10 am and 7 pm. Your only options then? Walk, cycle, or hop on the public shuttle from Port de Pollença. Outside peak season? You've got the road mostly to yourself.
Plan for 20-30 minutes of driving, but honestly, set aside way more time. With those breathtaking viewpoints of 400-meter cliffs and the rugged Mallorcan coastline unfolding before you, you'll want to linger and soak it all in. It's legitimately one of the world's most scenic drives.
Where is it?
The sensational road to Formentor Lighthouse in Mallorca is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 39.1184, -4.1832
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 10.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 119 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 39.1184, -4.1832
Related Roads in europe
hardHow many Pigtails are in Spain? Driving the 5 legendary "Nudos de Corbata"
🇪🇸 Spain
# Spain's Hidden Road Spirals: Five Mind-Bending Engineering Marvels Sure, millions of drivers zip through Spanish highways without a second thought, but few realize they're passing by some of the world's most jaw-dropping road engineering. We went digging through maps and found five absolutely wild spots where the road literally ties itself into a knot to conquer impossibly steep terrain. Ever heard of a "pigtail"? It's basically a 360-degree spiral where the road loops over or under itself to gain elevation in the tightest space possible. While Switzerland and Japan get all the glory for these engineering marvels, Spain's quietly sitting on five incredible examples of high-altitude road wizardry. The crown jewel? The **Nus de sa Corbata** on the legendary Sa Calobra Road in Mallorca. This show-stopping 270-degree curve was designed way back in 1932 by Antonio Parietti—and here's the crazy part: they built it without any tunnels. The road simply loops under itself to drop over a massive cliff in the Serra de Tramuntana. It's pure genius. Then there's the **A-7000 Road** (formerly the N-321) in Málaga's mountains, where two pigtails sit practically next to each other. Classic early 20th-century problem-solving for navigating those brutal coastal ranges down south. Heading toward the **NA-137** near the French border? Get ready for a perfect spiral as you climb toward the Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin. The drive through the Roncal Valley is incredibly technical and scenically stunning. But the weirdest one? That honor goes to the **CV-223** in Castellón Province. Known locally as *Cuesta del Caracol* (Snail's Slope), this loop between Eslida and Ahín runs almost entirely through a tunnel—making it a hidden pigtail that most drivers never even realize they've navigated. These engineering marvels aren't cheap or easy to build, which is why they only exist where traditional hairpins simply won't cut it. From historical designs to modern asphalt, these five locations prove that sometimes the impossible just needs the right dose of creativity and determination.
moderateIs the road from Tirabad to Llywel paved?
🇬🇧 Wales
Okay, picture this: you're in southern Powys, Wales, right on the edge of Brecon Beacons National Park, about to hit a seriously awesome paved road connecting the tiny villages of Tirabad and Llywel. It might not have a fancy name, but it cuts right across Mynydd Eppynt and Mynydd Bwlch-Yr-Groes. Now, this isn't your average country lane. This beauty is smooth as butter, probably thanks to the army who keeps an eye on things. Seriously, any car will love it. But here's the kicker: it's a military road running through the Sennybridge army training area. So, while it's usually open to the public, you might stumble upon some *very* realistic training exercises. Think gunfire, soldiers hiding in bushes, and maybe even some military traffic. It's a gamble, but adds to the adventure! The whole stretch is only about 13.5 km (8.4 miles) long, but it's packed with blind turns, sneaky summits, and those handy little passing places. Plus, the views are absolutely breathtaking. Just be warned: it's pretty exposed up there, hitting a max elevation of 442m (1,450ft). Oh, and that southern section? Get ready for a 1 in 7 hill! Along the way, you'll see the remnants of old sheep farming communities, a reminder of the hardy souls who once called this isolated place home. Trust me, this road is an experience you won't forget.
hardA narrow balcony road through Gorges de Rebenty
🇫🇷 France
# Gorges de Rebenty Picture this: you're winding through one of France's most stunning canyon drives, nestled in the Aude department of Occitania in the south. The Rebenty River has carved out these dramatic gorges over centuries, and now you get to experience them firsthand along one of those famous French "balcony roads" that'll make your heart race. The D107 is your route, stretching a modest 12.9km (8 miles) from Col de Pradel up to Niort-de-Sault. Sure, it's fully paved, but here's the thing—it's *tight*. Like, really tight. You'll hit sections where oncoming traffic simply can't squeeze past, and there's a solid chance you'll need to reverse around a blind corner on a narrow ledge. The Défilé d'Adouxes section is particularly intense, squeezing through the most dramatic and claustrophobic bits of the route. Honestly? If you're easily stressed behind the wheel, consider ditching the car. Walking or cycling through here lets you actually soak in those jaw-dropping views without white-knuckling the steering wheel. The scenery is genuinely spectacular, and you'll appreciate it so much more when you're not laser-focused on navigating hairpin turns and negotiating passes with other drivers.
hardThe Wild Road to Collado de Basibe in the Pyrenees
🇪🇸 Spain
# Collado de Basibé: A Mountain Adventure in the Spanish Pyrenees Ready for a proper mountain challenge? Collado de Basibé sits at a breathtaking 2,353 meters (7,719 feet) high in Spain's northeastern Aragón region, making it one of the country's most elevated roads. This isn't your typical scenic drive—it's a serious adventure nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees. The whole experience starts at the Ampriu–Cerler parking lot and stretches for just 3.4 kilometers, but don't let the short distance fool you. You'll climb 415 meters with an average gradient of 12.2%, with some sections hitting a punishing 19%—so yeah, you'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle this beast. The road is completely unpaved, rough, and steep, which is exactly why it's primarily used for maintenance runs to the ski lifts and mountain lodges during the off-season. The pass is seasonal, opening only when the snow melts and ski season wraps up, giving you a proper window to explore this wild terrain. If you're after stunning high-altitude scenery and don't mind putting your vehicle through its paces on a gnarly mountain track, this is calling your name.