Where is Calle Monroy?
Spain, europe
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N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Tenerife, Canary Islands, ready for an adventure. Head to Santa Úrsula, and you'll find Calle Monroy. This isn't your average street; it's a wild ride!
Spanning 740 meters, it drops from 638 meters down to 430, boasting an average gradient of 28.1%. Parts of it hit a crazy 40%! The upper section's so steep, it's paved with grippy, chevron-patterned concrete instead of regular asphalt.
It's fully paved, but don't let that fool you. There are no flat sections to catch your breath, and the end gets super narrow. Seriously, this climb is a beast! If you stall, you're sliding back. Even stopping is tough. A little shrine on the side is a somber reminder of the dangers. Pro tip? Start at the top and cruise down for a less stressful experience.
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Vratnik Pass?
🌍 Bulgaria
Okay, so you wanna experience a slice of Bulgaria's wild side? Then point your GPS towards Vratnik Pass, also known as "Door Pass"! Nestled way up in the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) in the Sliven Province of eastern Bulgaria, this mountain road clocks in at a seriously breathtaking elevation. Now, the road to the top? Let's just say it's "rustic" in sections! Think uneven surfaces that'll keep you on your toes. Speaking of breathtaking, the views are absolutely worth the adventure. Rolling landscapes and panoramic vistas are your reward for conquering Vratnik Pass. Just keep your eyes peeled for the road's quirks!
extremeWhere is Jafra?
🇪🇸 Spain
Jafra, also known as Jafre del Garraf, is an located in Spain's Catalonia region. It sits on a hill at about 189 meters above sea level, and today only ruins remain. But Jafra is more than just a ghost town — it is wrapped in legends of Melinda, the mysterious “girl on the curve” , whose spirit is said to haunt the unpaved road leading to the village and the crumbling ruins within. The abandoned town is located in , southwest of Barcelona, in the northeastern part of the country, within the Parc Natural del Garraf What’s the history of Jafra? The first written record of Jafra dates back to . Life in the village was never easy: the land was , with very little water, making farming extremely difficult. People cultivated wheat, vines, and livestock (mainly goats and wool), while also hunting hares, partridges, and rabbits . There was even a small for producing brandy and selling wine. Decline and Abandonment of Jafra Jafra was always poor in resources, but the of the late 19th century devastated its vineyards, worsening the situation. Like many rural communities in Spain, it suffered a massive as people left for towns with running water, sewer systems, and better living conditions , the town was abandoned. The church and cemetery were desecrated , and the remains were transferred to Olivella. In the , there were still about in the area, of which and the rest to Olivella. Many of these later turned into or were sold as plots to outsiders. Since then, Jafra has remained in ruins. Only parts of the church of Santa Maria de Jafre still stand. Over time, the abandoned buildings were vandalized, robbed, and looted. Diputació de Barcelona of land. A project called began restoring the village in , but it was quickly abandoned, and today there are no plans to resume it. To limit vandalism and ghost hunters, all official access points have been closed off The Legend of Melinda, the “Niña de la Curva” The fame of Jafra is tied to the legend of , known locally as its own According to the story, a wealthy Austrian family moved into the masía El Maset de Dalt y de Baix . Their children suffered from a serious that forced them to live away from sunlight, isolated from the world. Visitors were forbidden. The mother died giving birth to , the family’s only daughter. Soon after, her older siblings died, likely from the illness. Overcome by grief and fear of losing Melinda, the father is said to have lost his sanity. One day, while chasing Melinda in the garden, she fell into a and disappeared forever — along with her father, who was never seen again. Since then, legends say her ghost still roams the streets and woods of Jafra Ghostly Sightings on the Road Travelers driving the unpaved road to the town claim to have seen Melinda appear, just like the classic tale of the around the ghost town, some say Melinda appears to out of danger, pointing the way to safety. Others have reported hearing in the cemetery or witnessing There are even accounts of in the skies above Jafra, adding to its reputation as one of the most mysterious places in Catalonia. Reaching Jafra involves narrow, winding mountain roads , adding to its eerie reputation, especially at night. While it is technically abandoned and official access has been restricted , some visitors still explore the site. The most notable ruins are: church of Santa María de Jafre Architectural Heritage Inventory of Catalonia , once the residence of the Baron of Jafra, now reduced to collapsed walls. and the old cemetery. Today, Jafra is officially abandoned and in ruins, but its mix of tragic legends, ghost stories, and paranormal activity Catalonia’s most haunted destinations How long is the road to Jafra? The road to the town is , but most passenger vehicles can handle it, especially when it’s dry. Starting from near the ruins of the abandoned town. How to drive the demanding road to Coll de Boixols? The steep unpaved road to Pic Bony de l'Aigua Blanca in the Pyrenees Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our 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 to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardThe steep private road to Monte Ray: An engineering feat in the Gesso Valley
🇮🇹 Italy
# Monte Ray: Italy's Epic Alpine Challenge Nestled in the Cuneo Province of Piedmont near the French border, Monte Ray towers at 1,846m (6,056ft) and boasts one seriously impressive mountain road. The journey winds through the breathtaking Valle Gesso, showcasing some of the most dramatic Alpine scenery you'll find in northern Italy. Starting from Strada Provinciale San Giacomo near the village of Entracque at 934m elevation, the officially named Strada Comunale Monte Rai climbs 10.7 km to reach the summit. Originally built by an electric company to service mountain infrastructure, this engineering marvel is a testament to Italian mountain road construction. Fair warning though: you won't be driving this one in a personal vehicle. The road is currently gated at the entrance, with access restricted to authorized personnel only. It's a shame for drivers, but it remains legendary among overlanders and mountain enthusiasts who appreciate the raw engineering that went into its creation. If you could drive it, you'd be tackling serious terrain. The average gradient sits at a punishing 8.52%, with several sections hitting 12%—making this one of Piedmont's most demanding climbs. Over those 10.7 km, you'd gain 912 meters while navigating 18 hairpin turns that hug the mountainside. The road itself is mostly paved—typical for Alpine utility roads—but don't expect pristine asphalt. Loose gravel scattered across the surface, especially in the tight corners, would keep your concentration razor-sharp. It's a stunning route through stark, dramatic landscape, even if you're only eyeing it from below.
moderateA wild military road to Vallon de Savine
🇫🇷 France
Okay, fellow adventurers, let me tell you about Vallon de Savine! Tucked away in the northern Cottian Alps, in the Savoie department of France, this mountain peak sits pretty at 2,227 meters (that's 7,306 feet!). The road up? Well, it's an unpaved beauty, a 2.2 km climb from Col du Petit Mont-Cenis. Word to the wise: you'll probably need a 4x4 to tackle this gravel path, and aim for a summer trip – it's usually snowed in from October to June. This route is actually an old military road – this area is full of them dating back to World War I. Once you reach the top, you'll be greeted by some cool, abandoned buildings and views for days! Definitely one for the bucket list if you're into rugged alpine exploration!