
Travel guide to Haza del Lino in Andalusia
Spain, europe
22.2 km
1,280 m
moderate
Year-round
# Haza del Lino: A Scenic Alpine Climb in Andalusia
Nestled in the eastern hills of Granada, Spain, Haza del Lino sits pretty at 1,280 meters (4,199 feet) above sea level. This mountain pass crowns the Sierra de la Contraviesa, a stunning coastal range that's basically a patchwork quilt of vineyards, almond groves, and fig trees—seriously, the views are incredible.
The road up is fully paved, which is great news, but fair warning: it's plenty twisty and turns. You've got several routes to choose from depending on whether you're coming from the coast or heading in from inland, but the A-4131 from Castell de Ferro is hands-down the classic route that everyone talks about.
Starting your climb through Rubite, you're looking at 22.2 kilometers (13.7 miles) of sustained climbing with an average gradient of 5.8%. Sounds manageable, right? Well, here's where it gets spicy: somewhere around kilometers 6 to 13, the road dishes out a nasty 7-kilometer stretch averaging 9.5%—this is the real test that'll make your legs (and your brakes) work for it. Once you push through that brutal middle section, things ease up a bit with another gentler 7 kilometers before you reach the top. It's the kind of climb that rewards patience and strong low gears.
Where is it?
Travel guide to Haza del Lino in Andalusia is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 41.2328, -3.1193
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 22.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,280 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 41.2328, -3.1193
Related Roads in europe
extremeThe wild road to Testa Grigia in the Alps
🇮🇹 Italy
# Testa Grigia: Europe's Alpine Adventure Ready to test your mettle at 3,471 meters (11,387 feet)? Welcome to Testa Grigia, one of Europe's most thrilling high-altitude peaks straddling the Swiss-Italian border in the stunning Pennine Alps. You'll find yourself perched between Switzerland's Valais canton and Italy's Valle d'Aosta region, hovering majestically above the Theodul Pass. At the summit sits Rifugio Guide del Cervino, a cozy mountain refuge perfect for catching your breath—literally and figuratively. Here's the real deal: the road to the top is a chairlift access trail that's completely unpaved and seriously steep. We're talking 30% gradients on some stretches that'll make your palms sweat. The surface starts with loose stones and gets progressively rockier as you climb higher, adding to the challenge. This isn't a year-round playground. The road typically opens for just a short window during summer, peaking around late August. And mother nature doesn't make it easy—expect ferocious winds (they're basically a permanent fixture here), surprise snowfall even in summer, and bone-chilling temperatures in winter. If you're an adrenaline junkie seeking one of the continent's most extreme driving experiences, Testa Grigia is calling your name.
moderateA Wild Road to Pierre-sur-Haute in the Massif Central
🇫🇷 France
# Pierre-sur-Haute: A Peak Worth the Journey Perched at 1,631m (5,351ft) in France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Pierre-sur-Haute is a stunning mountain summit that straddles the border between Loire and Puy-de-Dôme departments. Here's the thing though—you won't be driving your own car all the way to the top. This peak is off-limits to private vehicles thanks to the military installations stationed there. The mountain is home to a French military radio station that keeps the country's communications running, plus a civilian relay operated by Télédiffusion de France. Everything up top is sealed behind a serious barrier of wood and metal, with access strictly reserved for military personnel and telecom employees who navigate the summit via dedicated roads or tracked vehicles. If you're curious about the route itself, the main access road stretches 14.3km (8.88 miles) running north-south, connecting the D40 road at Col du Béal to the D106 near Le Perrier. The northern section has been beautifully paved since 1961, while the southern approach remains unpaved—a nice mix of surfaces as you wind through the dramatic terrain of the Massif Central. It's one of those roads that reminds you how France's geography and infrastructure tell fascinating stories, even when you can't experience the whole thing firsthand.
extremeCerro Almirez: Driving the 31 hairpins of Almeria’s high Sierra Nevada
🇪🇸 Spain
# Cerro Almirez: Spain's Ultimate High-Altitude Adventure If you're craving a serious 4x4 challenge with breathtaking rewards, Cerro Almirez in Almería's Sierra Nevada National Park delivers in spades. This beast of a peak towers at 2,350m (7,709ft), making it one of Spain's most accessible extreme elevation drives—and trust us, you'll feel every meter of it. Tucked away in southeastern Spain's Alpujarra Almeriense region, Cerro Almirez plays second fiddle to the more Instagram-famous peaks near Granada, which means you get the raw, untamed experience without the crowds. From the summit, you're rewarded with jaw-dropping 360-degree views where alpine desert meets snow-capped ridges, and on crystal-clear days, the Mediterranean sparkles in the distance. It's genuinely spectacular. Here's the reality check: this isn't a Sunday drive. The 23.2km (14.4-mile) track from the white-washed village of Paterna del Río is pure unforgiving dirt—technical, steep, and carved into crumbling slate slopes. We're talking 31 hairpin turns that'll test your nerves and your vehicle's suspension equally. The surface is loose rock, many sections are barely wide enough for one car (hello, reverse for kilometers), and you'll need serious ground clearance and low-range gearing to maintain traction on the relentless climb. 4x4 only—no exceptions. Plan on several hours for the drive, and come prepared with a full fuel tank and mechanical knowledge. The real kicker? The road's locked down by snow and ice from October through June. Summer weather isn't guaranteed either—sudden storms can wash out sections and turn that hard-won climb into a white-knuckle descent. Pack water, warm layers, and emergency supplies. This one demands respect, but the payoff is genuinely worth it.
moderateFurka Pass
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# The Furka Pass: A Swiss Alpine Classic If you're hunting for one of Switzerland's most iconic high-altitude drives, the Furka Pass is calling your name. Perched at a breathtaking 2,429 meters above sea level, this 38-kilometer beauty connects the cantons of Valais and Uri and serves as the gateway to the Rhone Glacier—the very source of the Rhone River itself. The drive from Gletsch to Hospental is pure Alpine drama. You'll climb from verdant valleys into an otherworldly landscape of jagged peaks and windswept plateaus, with the legendary Goldfinger car chase location from 1964 adding a splash of cinematic cool to your journey. The sweeping curves here are built for memorable drives, whether you're a Bond fan or just a lover of mountain roads. The Rhone Glacier is the real star, though it's visibly retreating thanks to climate change. Even so, it's still worth stopping for—they carve out an ice grotto each summer where you can actually walk inside glowing blue ice. The iconic Hotel Belvedere, dramatically perched above the glacier at a hairpin turn, has become a legendary photo spot (even if it's currently closed). Here's the best part: the Furka is part of a triumphant Alpine triple-pass circuit with the Grimsel and Susten passes nearby. Combine them all and you've got one unforgettable road trip. The pass opens June through October with perfectly maintained asphalt and solid guardrails, so the drive itself is surprisingly comfortable. For winter crossings or a nostalgic experience, hop on the historic Furka Steam Railway for a charming steam-powered adventure over the summit.