The Unpaved Camino de los Franceses to Collado de Carihuela in Granada
Spain, europe
31 km
3,209 m
moderate
Year-round
# Collado de Carihuela: Spain's Alpine Adventure
Looking for one of Europe's most breathtaking mountain passes? Meet Collado de Carihuela, sitting pretty at 3,209m (10,528ft) in Granada's Sierra Nevada mountains. This isn't just any high-altitude route—it's one of the highest roads you can find in Europe, and it's absolutely spectacular.
Nestled in Andalusia in southern Spain, this pass has some seriously cool features at the summit. You'll find the Refugio Vivac de la Carihuela mountain refuge and a charming little chapel, the Ermita de la Virgen de las Nieves, offering both shelter and spiritual vibes high up in the peaks.
The route itself—known as Camino de los Franceses or Camino del Mulhacén—stretches for 31km (19 miles) between the Veleta peak and the quaint town of Capileira. Here's the thing though: it's completely unpaved, which means it's impassable during winter months when the snow rolls in. The drive rewards you with stunning alpine lakes scattered along the way.
Fair warning: to preserve the national park's pristine wilderness, this road is off-limits to motor vehicles. Only cyclists and hikers are welcome here, making it perfect for those seeking a genuine mountain experience away from the roar of engines. The raw, untamed beauty of the Sierra Nevada awaits.
Where is it?
The Unpaved Camino de los Franceses to Collado de Carihuela in Granada is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 39.5392, -3.0150
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 31 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,209 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 39.5392, -3.0150
Related Roads in europe
hardWhen was the Slettnes lighthouse built?
🇳🇴 Norway
Cruising up to Slettnes Lighthouse in Finnmark, Norway, feels like driving to the edge of the world! Seriously, this is where Europe just…stops. The road starts in the cute village of Gamvik and winds its way 3.4 km (2.11 miles) north along the Nordkinn Peninsula to the lighthouse. The road itself is mostly gravel and can be a bit bumpy with some potholes, but don't worry, most cars can handle it. Just take it slow and enjoy the ride! Speaking of which, hold onto your hat – the wind up here can be fierce! The lighthouse, standing tall at 39 meters (128 ft), marks the northernmost point of mainland Europe, and the views are absolutely incredible. You're smack-dab between the Barents Sea and the Nordkyn mountains, with a rugged coastal plain stretching out around you. It's a photographer's dream! Once you arrive, you will find a carpark and a café. It's totally worth the drive, for the views of the ocean and surrounding landscape.
moderateA memorable road trip to Vratnik Pass in the Balkan Mountains
🌍 Bulgaria
Okay, buckle up road trippers, because Vratnik Pass in Bulgaria is calling your name! Nestled in the eastern Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) of Sliven Province, this mountain pass climbs to a cool 921m (3,021ft). The road, also known as Road 53, winds for about 23.2km (14.41 miles) between Stara Reka in the north and Byala to the south. Now, the pavement is there, but let's just say it's seen better days. Expect a bit of an "off-road" experience with plenty of potholes and some loose gravel thrown in for good measure. But hey, that's part of the adventure, right? Just take it slow and soak in the views – because trust me, the scenery in these parts is totally worth it!
moderateA classic road trip to Sierra Nevada in Granada
🇪🇸 Spain
Sierra Nevada is a ski resort sitting pretty at 2,385m (7,824ft) above sea level in Granada, Spain — and it's seriously high up there. It's one of the country's loftiest roads, nestled in the Andalusia region in the southeastern corner of Spain. Want to go even higher? This place is your launchpad to Pico del Veleta, Europe's highest paved road. Tucked away in the dramatic Sierra Nevada mountains, the route up to the resort is the fully paved A-395. Fair warning though: winters here are no joke. The mountain dishes out some seriously harsh weather, and weekends plus holiday seasons bring crowds that make the drive even trickier. Fun fact — this climb's so legendary it's been featured in the Spanish Vuelta cycling race. Starting from Alto de Hazallanas on the GR-3200, you're looking at a 12km ascent that'll gain you 724 meters of elevation. The average gradient sits around 6.03%, but heads a few notches steeper with some sections pushing 14%, 15%, even 17%. So buckle up — it's an exhilarating ride through one of Spain's most spectacular mountain roads.
easyWhere is Col du Pourtalet?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: Col du Pourtalet, straddling the border between Spain and France at a cool 5,898 feet. You'll find it chilling on the edge of Parc National des Pyrénées, linking the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in France with the province of Huesca in Spain. This used to be a full-on border crossing, and you can still spot the old border post! Ready to drive it? The road, also known as El Portalet or Portalet d'Aneu, is paved from end to end. It's about 34 miles long, running north-south from Laruns (France) to Biescas (Spain). Weekends and summer can get a bit busy, so plan accordingly. If you're coming from Biescas, the climb is around 18 miles with a 3% average grade. It's a pretty fast, wide-open road with killer scenery. The road's built for ski resort traffic, so you know it's coach-friendly! Now, tackling the French side (from Laruns), you're in for about 18 miles of climbing. Expect three main "ramps" at around 7% grade, mixed with longer, gentler slopes. You'll cruise through gorges, alpine meadows, and authentic Pyrenean villages. It's generally an easy climb, sticking around 5%, with one steeper section near a dam. Plus, traffic's usually not too bad. The payoff at the top? Incredible views of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau mountain and the Cirque d’Anéou, where sheep and cows graze peacefully. You can also grab some grub at the supermarkets, bars, and restaurants before heading back down. The pass connects the Ossau (France) and Tena (Spain) valleys, too. Heads up, the climb can get pretty steep in sections, hitting almost 9% on some ramps. And while it's usually open in winter, heavy snow can close it for a couple of days.