
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
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