
Where is Collada de Beixalis?
Andorra, europe
2.5 km
1,806 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure awaits in Andorra! Let's talk about Collada de Beixalis, a mountain pass reaching a cool 1,806 meters (5,925 feet) high. You'll find it smack-dab in the middle of the country, marking the border between La Massana and Encamp.
Heads up: this road's not for the faint of heart! Expect some tight squeezes, super steep climbs, and a bit of a bumpy ride. Most of the route is paved, but there's a roughly 2.5 km stretch of unpaved road near the top that adds some extra challenge.
Sitting pretty in the eastern Pyrenees, the pass is usually open year-round, but be prepared for potential short-term closures during winter weather. The full route stretches for about 13.2 km (8.20 miles), winding its way from Anyós in the west to Encamp in the east. Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery!
Road Details
- Country
- Andorra
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 2.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,806 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Pla de l’Estany in Andorra?
🌍 Andorra
Okay, picture this: you're in Andorra, way up in the northwestern corner near the border of the Comapedrosa Natural Park. You're about to climb to the Pla de l’Estany, a high mountain plateau that's seriously epic. The road itself? It’s a climb, gaining serious altitude on a ride that will remain in memory for years. Here's the catch: you can't drive your own car. You've gotta hop on the local taxis — luckily, they're all either taxis or 4x4s, so they can handle the terrain.
hardWhere is the Brenner Grenzkammstrasse road?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between Italy (South Tyrol, to be exact) and Austria (Innsbruck-Land, Tirol), cruising along the legendary Brennergrenzkammstraße. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about a rugged, unpaved adventure, clocking in at 45 km of pure, mountainous bliss. Get ready for a workout, because the average gradient is a hefty 8%! The road climbs to a breathtaking 2,247m above sea level, so expect epic views – and potentially some epic weather. Trust me, winter is a no-go; this road is buried under snow more than likely. Keep your eyes peeled for remnants of the past, as you'll be traversing a road originally built during World War I. Fortifications and military constructions dot the landscape, adding a touch of history to the already stunning scenery. Just a heads up: this track gets seriously slippery after it rains!
The wild road to Picon del Fraile in northern Spain
🇪🇸 Spain
# Picón del Fraile: A Thrilling Alpine Challenge in Northern Spain Ready for a serious mountain adventure? Picón del Fraile is a stunning 1,590m (5,216ft) peak sitting right on the border between Cantabria and Castile and León in Spain's north. It's nestled within the gorgeous Collados del Asón Natural Park, deep in the scenic Soba Valley. The summit's crowned by a military radar station (EVA 12) that's been keeping watch since 1997—pretty cool to see up close if you make it that far! The road up, nicknamed Las Motas, is fully paved, but don't let that fool you. It's a gnarly, twisting climb with some seriously steep pitches hitting 17% gradient. Starting from Portillo de Lunada on the BU-572 road, you're looking at a 4.5 km (2.79 miles) push uphill with 308 meters of elevation gain and an average 6.84% gradient. Fair warning: the final stretch is off-limits to regular vehicles—only official traffic gets through. Here's where it gets real: the weather up here is absolutely brutal and wildly unpredictable. Back in February 2013, the road became completely impassable for over a month straight, buried under snow walls exceeding 20 meters. Helicopters were the only way to resupply the base. So pick your timing carefully and respect Mother Nature—she's not messing around on this mountain.
hardA winding road with steep slopes to Puerto de las Palomas
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto de las Palomas Nestled in the heart of Spain's Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park in Cádiz province, Puerto de las Palomas is a mountain pass sitting at 1,190m (3,904ft) that'll get your adrenaline pumping. Fair warning: there's a summit sign claiming 1,357 meters, but don't believe it—that's definitely off! The completely paved CA-9104 winds its way for 15.7 km (9.75 miles) from Zahara de la Sierra northward toward Puerto del Boyar near Grazalema, and let me tell you, this route is *not* for the faint of heart. The road is basically a masterclass in switchbacks and hairpin turns, with some sections hitting a brutal 14% gradient that'll have you gripping the wheel and questioning your life choices. The good news? You can drive this most of the year, though winter occasionally throws a wrench in the plans with brief closures. Once you summit, there's a small parking area where you can catch your breath—and the views are absolutely worth it. The panorama stretches across parts of Cádiz and Málaga provinces, and even peeks into southern Seville. If you're feeling adventurous, there's also a killer hiking trail that takes you even deeper into this stunning landscape. This is one seriously rewarding drive through some of Andalusia's most dramatic terrain.