Valdezcaray
Spain, europe
13.51 km
1,553 m
moderate
Year-round
# Valdezcaray Ski Resort Road
Nestled in southwestern La Rioja in northern Spain, Valdezcaray sits pretty at 1,553 meters (5,095 feet) above sea level. This charming ski resort is your gateway to some seriously rewarding mountain driving.
The road up? That's the LR-416, a well-maintained paved route that climbs the slopes of Monte San Lorenzo in the Sierra de la Demanda range. You'll find the asphalt in great condition the entire way up, and honestly, the views are lovely throughout the drive—perfect for those scenic Instagram moments.
Fair warning though: this isn't a quick jaunt. Starting from Ezcaray, you're looking at a solid 13.51 km climb with 703 meters of elevation gain. That breaks down to an average gradient of 5.2%, but don't let that fool you—there are some punchy sections hitting up to 14% that'll definitely test your nerves and your vehicle's brakes.
This route has some serious pedigree too. The Spanish Vuelta cycling race has tackled this very ascent, which tells you everything you need to know about its challenging yet rewarding nature. Whether you're a cyclist, a road tripper, or just someone who loves a good mountain drive, Valdezcaray delivers a memorable experience from start to finish.
Where is it?
Valdezcaray is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 41.0460, -4.7675
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.51 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,553 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 41.0460, -4.7675
Related Roads in europe
moderateHow to get by car to Szrenica on the Polish-Czech border
🌍 Czech Republic
Way up high on the Polish-Czech border, nestled in the Karkonosze Mountains, you'll find Szrenica peak, towering at 1,347m (4,419ft). This gem, hidden in the Karkonosze National Park, is all about wild landscapes and views that stretch forever. Connecting Poland's Jelenia Góra County with the Czech Republic's Liberec Region, this peak sits pretty on the Karkonosze's main ridge. It’s a hiker's paradise, but getting here by car? Tricky! The road to the top is totally unpaved, a bumpy service route mainly for maintenance and getting to the private mountain hut. Forget about taking your own car, unless you've got a 4x4, it's off limits to most. You'll mainly find trailheads and forest tracks here. Most people hike or hop on a chairlift from Szklarska Poręba to get to the top, rather than driving. Perched high in the Giant Mountains, expect a blanket of snow for much of the year. Winter can make getting around Szrenica tough, so be careful. At the summit, there's a mountain hut serving hikers from both sides of the border. Don't miss the cool rock formations like Trzy Świnki and Końskie Łby, plus those incredible panoramic views of the peaks and valleys. Szrenica is super popular in the Karkonosze Mountains. With its amazing scenery, marked trails, and a chairlift from Szklarska Poręba, it's a must-visit spot for everyone.
moderateA curvy paved mountain road to Col de la Savoliere
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Savolière Nestled in the Haute-Savoie department of southeastern France, Col de la Savolière sits pretty at 1,421 meters (4,662 feet) above sea level in the Rhône-Alpes region. This fully paved mountain pass is a fun ride for anyone looking to tackle some Alpine terrain. The D308 stretches a solid 20.8 kilometers (12.92 miles) from the D328 road near Miesbury to the D907, offering some genuinely gnarly sections along the way. Fair warning: the gradients get serious here, with maximum slopes hitting 10.6%—so if you're planning to drive this one, pack your patience and maybe some lower gears. The pass typically stays open year-round, which is pretty sweet if you're planning an off-season adventure. Just keep in mind that winter can throw some curveballs your way, with occasional closures popping up when conditions get sketchy. Best to check conditions before you head up!
hardUltimate 4WD Destination: Col des Lessieres in the Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Col des Lessières: A Wild Alpine Adventure Ready for some serious altitude? Col des Lessières sits pretty at 2,936m (9,632ft) above sea level, making it one of Europe's highest drivable roads. You'll find it perched in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, right in the heart of the French Alps near the Italian border within the stunning Tarentaise Valley. Fair warning: this isn't your average scenic drive. The 4.2 km (2.60 mile) ascent from the paved D902 is an unpaved beast featuring loose gravel, scattered rocks, and a chairlift service road that's strictly 4x4 territory only. You're looking at an average gradient of 10.90% with some gnarly sections hitting up to 25%—throw in narrow passages and relentless hairpin turns, and you've got yourself quite the challenge. The landscape up here is absolutely breathtaking though. These are the real Alpine heights, and the views are worth every jolting moment of that 458m elevation gain. Just keep in mind: this road is only accessible from July to September. Winter and spring don't play nice at this elevation, so plan accordingly if you're dreaming of tackling this high-altitude gem.
moderateWhere is Col du Clapier-Colle Clapier?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, so picture this: the Col du Clapier-Colle Clapier, perched way up high at 2,480m (that's 8,170ft!), right on the border where France shakes hands with Italy. We're talking serious alpine scenery, tucked into the northern Cottian Alps, linking Savoie in France to Piedmont in Italy. Now, about getting there... it's an adventure! Think bridle path, not highway. It starts up from Bramans at 1,220 m on the French side, heading towards Susa in Italy way down at 503 m. And FYI, winter slams the door shut from around September to June with tons of snow. If you're starting from Col du Petit Mont Cenis, it's about 7km (4.3 miles) to the top. The first bit's an old military road – 4x4s and bikes can handle that. Speaking of which, this whole area is steeped in history, dotted with high-altitude military relics from way back when. Heads up: past Lac de Savine, you're ditching the vehicle. Bikes might still be okay, but the Italian side turns into a walking-only mule track. Oh, and history buffs! This might be the spot where Hannibal crossed the Alps with his elephants! Seriously, historians have been arguing about it for centuries. Did he really drag 50,000 troops, thousands of horses, and a bunch of elephants through here in 218 BC? Napoleon thought it was the Col du Mont Cenis, but this wilder spot is definitely a contender.