The Wild Road to Collado de Basibe in the Pyrenees

The Wild Road to Collado de Basibe in the Pyrenees

Spain, europe

Length

3.4 km

Elevation

2,353 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# 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.

Where is it?

The Wild Road to Collado de Basibe in the Pyrenees is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 41.8569, -3.4352

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
3.4 km
Max Elevation
2,353 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
41.8569, -3.4352

Related Roads in europe

Abano Pass is a Georgian treacherous road closed in wintersextreme

Abano Pass is a Georgian treacherous road closed in winters

🇬🇪 Georgia

# Abano Pass: Georgia's Ultimate Mountain Challenge Ready for an adventure that'll make your heart race? Abano Pass (also called Torgva Pass) sits at a jaw-dropping 2,864m (9,396ft) in the heart of the Great Caucasus Mountains, right where Kakheti and Tusheti regions meet near the Russian border. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—we're talking about the highest drivable mountain pass in the entire Caucasus. The 67.2km (41.75 miles) unpaved route winds from Pshaveli up through some seriously dramatic terrain to Omalo, a small mountain village at 1,850m. It's the kind of place that feels genuinely untouched—partly because it's cut off from the rest of Georgia for most of the year. Summer is your window, roughly May through October, but even then, weather and landslides can close things down unexpectedly. Seriously, you might get stuck for a couple days waiting for roads to dry out. Here's the real talk: this road demands respect. Only high-clearance 4x4 vehicles should attempt it, and you're looking at some brutal 17% gradients with zero guardrails hugging cliffsides above gorges. The unpredictable surface, hairpin turns, and countless memorials along the way tell you this isn't called a "death road" for nothing—roughly 10-12 fatalities happen here annually. But here's why people do it anyway? The scenery is absolutely stunning. Wildflowers dot the landscape, waterfalls cascade alongside you, and you'll spot everything from snow walls (sometimes 4 meters deep in July!) to incredible mountain vistas. The Soviet-built road, completed in 1978, even features a tiny chapel at the summit with a quirky coffee shop called "Above the Clouds" that sometimes opens up there. Pro tip: Book accommodation ahead (many homestays only operate July onward), hire a sober driver, and pick a clear weather day. And if your driver suggests taking shots of cha-cha on the way up? Politely decline. You've got this—just give it the respect it deserves.

Col de Saint-Alexis: A Scenic Gateway to the Vercors Highlandsmoderate

Col de Saint-Alexis: A Scenic Gateway to the Vercors Highlands

🇫🇷 France

# Col de Saint-Alexis Tucked away in the Drôme department of southeastern France, Col de Saint-Alexis sits at 1,222m (4,009ft) and offers a surprisingly chill escape through the heart of the Vercors Regional Natural Park. This limestone massif is famous for its dramatic cliffs and gorges, but this particular pass? It's the laid-back cousin of the region's more notorious white-knuckle climbs. The 7.7km (4.78 miles) route runs straight south to north, connecting Col de Rousset with the charming village of Vassieux-en-Vercors. What makes it special is what it *doesn't* have — no hairpin turns, no cliff-hugging switchbacks, and a wonderfully gentle gradient. The D76 is fully paved and impressively straightforward, making it perfect for when you want to actually enjoy the ride instead of white-knuckling the steering wheel. Cyclists love it as a recovery route between the more brutal climbs nearby. But here's where it gets interesting: Vassieux-en-Vercors isn't just another pretty mountain village. It's a symbol of French Resistance history, and the nearby Mémorial de la Résistance overlooks the plateau with stunning views and a sobering reminder of WWII's impact on this region. Keep in mind that the Vercors doesn't mess around in winter — heavy snowfall is common despite the modest elevation. The D76 stays well-maintained since it's crucial for the cross-country skiing stations, but winter tires or chains are non-negotiable during the cold months if you're planning to tackle this alpine plateau safely.

Black Forest High Roadeasy

Black Forest High Road

🇩🇪 Germany

# The Schwarzwaldhochstrasse: Germany's Perfect Scenic Drive Want to experience one of Germany's best-kept scenic secrets? The Schwarzwaldhochstrasse—or Black Forest High Road—is a glorious 60-kilometer ribbon of pavement that'll make you feel like you're floating along the spine of the northern Black Forest. Running from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt, this route has been charming travelers since the 1930s when it officially became the B500 federal road. As you climb between 800 and 1,164 meters, you'll be wrapped in dense coniferous forests, passing moody glacial lakes (called tarns) and stopping at viewpoints that honestly steal your breath. On clear days, your gaze stretches across the Rhine Valley all the way to the Vosges Mountains in France—it's the kind of view that makes you pull over repeatedly. The drive hits some genuine highlights too. There's the Mummelsee, a dark, mysterious glacial lake loaded with local legend, and the Hornisgrinde, the region's highest peak at 1,164 meters. What's great about this road is how accessible it is—the gradients are surprisingly gentle and the road is plenty wide, so whether you're driving a sedan or towing a caravan, you'll be fine. Beyond the drive itself, the whole area is brilliant for exploring. Hiking and cross-country skiing trails branch off through the forest, and charming traditional Black Forest guesthouses dot the route serving up regional specialties and, yes, the famous Black Forest cake that actually tastes incredible when you've earned it with a day of driving and hiking.

Why Is the M25 the Busiest Motorway in England?moderate

Why Is the M25 the Busiest Motorway in England?

🇬🇧 England

Located in London, the capital of England, the M25 is an orbital motorway that almost completely encircles the country’s largest city. Officially known as the London Orbital Motorway, it is one of the busiest and most controversial roads in the United Kingdom. Loved by very few but used by millions, the M25 is essential for London’s transport network, linking counties, cities, airports, and major routes across the southeast of England. The M25 is a 188 km (117 miles) long motorway, forming a near-complete circle around Greater London. It is one of the world’s largest orbital roads, connecting key motorways and A-roads that lead into the city. Its official designation is the London Orbital Motorway, though drivers know it simply as the M25. The M25 was part of the ambitious Ringways Scheme, a plan from the 1960s to build several concentric motorways around London. Much of the scheme was cancelled due to protests, funding problems, and controversy. However, sections already under construction were connected together, creating the motorway we know today. Construction began in 1975, and the motorway was officially completed in 1986, opened by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. At the time, it was designed to handle around 100,000 vehicles per day. Today, traffic has doubled in some stretches, with over 200,000 vehicles per day recorded between certain junctions. The motorway is often described as Britain’s busiest and most disliked road. It is a vital link not only for Londoners but also for travelers heading to destinations such as Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, or popular attractions like the Harry Potter Studios in Leavesden. Its strategic role means that locals, tourists, and freight transport all rely heavily on it. Yes. As a major motorway, the M25 is fully paved and open year-round, although congestion is frequent. It is often jokingly referred to as “Britain’s biggest car park” due to its notorious traffic jams. To manage the flow, variable speed limits and traffic management systems were introduced, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s. Despite its bad reputation, the M25 is crucial for the UK’s economy and mobility. It links together several motorways, connects key counties, and allows for the movement of goods and people around London without having to pass through the city itself. It remains a symbol of both modern engineering and modern frustration.Road suggested by: Derncho74 // Lankyyy Gaming Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.