Where is Collada de Bracons?
Spain, europe
14.4 km
1,136 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk about Collada de Bracons in Catalonia, Spain! This mountain pass sits way up high at 1,136 meters (that's 3,727 feet!). You'll find it right on the border between Girona and Barcelona provinces, smack-dab in central Catalonia.
The road, known as GIV-5273, stretches for about 14.4 kilometers (almost 9 miles) from Sant Andreu de la Vola to Sant Esteve d'en Bas. But be warned: it's not exactly a smooth ride. The pavement can be a bit rough, and you'll be facing some seriously steep sections – we're talking gradients of up to 14%!
Expect tons of twists and turns as you climb through the Serra dels Llancers mountains, part of the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees. The pass is usually open all year, but keep an eye on the forecast in winter, as snow and ice can lead to temporary closures.
Because this road can be a bit of a beast, they built the Tunel de Bracons to bypass it. This tunnel is a whopping 4.95 kilometers (over 3 miles) long and opened in 2009. It's one of the longest tunnels in Spain, but keep in mind, it's a toll tunnel.
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,136 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremeA 7-Day Trip Through the South’s Most Challenging Routes
🇬🇧 England
Okay, picture this: ditching London and heading west on the B4632. Forget the soul-crushing motorways—this old A-road between Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon is a proper driving experience. Think smooth turns and views for days as you cruise the Cotswold Hills. Day two? Get lost in the cute, but super-narrow, stone-walled lanes. Seriously, know your car's width! Next up: Devon and Cornwall! Time for the A39 Atlantic Highway. The star of the show? Porlock Hill, with a crazy 25% gradient. Yep, the steepest A-road in England, and a true test for your brakes and engine. Careful on the way down to Lynmouth—engine braking is your friend! Day four is all about the ridiculously tight lanes of North Devon. We're talking hedgerows taller than your car and reversing skills that will make you a legend. Island time! Hop over to the Isle of Wight and hit the A3055 Military Road. This is where you race against nature. It's perched right on the edge of the cliffs, fighting a losing battle against the sea. Epic coastal views with the English Channel on one side, green hills on the other. Heads up: it closes sometimes when the road decides to take a swim. Back on the mainland, aim for the A285 between Petworth and Chichester. This one's a bit spicy. It's got sneaky bends and hidden dips that have earned it a reputation. Stay focused—it throws you from fast straights into tricky, tree-lined curves without warning! Last day! Skip the M25 and take the backroads through the North Downs toward London. Box Hill has some fun climbs, and the Surrey Hills are packed with narrow, steep roads to keep you entertained until you hit the city. Oh, and definitely give your car a good once-over after all that hard braking and gear-shifting! This trip isn't about tea rooms and castles, it's about tackling England's gnarly roads. From the insane gradients of Exmoor to the crumbling cliffs of the Isle of Wight, you'll get a new appreciation for the country's wild side. Get prepped, check the weather, and respect those hills!
moderateHere's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Montaña Rajada
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to Tenerife in the Canary Islands and craving an off-the-beaten-path experience, Montaña Rajada is calling your name. This peak hits a whopping 2,463 meters (that's over 8,000 feet!) making it one of the highest drives in Spain. Nestled inside Teide National Park, the route to the top is a rugged, unpaved track, but generally in decent shape. Here's the catch: it's off-limits to regular cars. You'll need a 4x4 to conquer this one. Keep in mind the road is usually snowed in from October to June (Mother Nature decides!), and mountain weather can be seriously unpredictable. Expect strong winds – it’s pretty much a constant breeze up there. Your reward? Killer views and a weather observatory at the summit. Trust me, it's an unforgettable ride!
hardIs the road to Col du Cenise paved?
🇫🇷 France
Looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure in the French Alps? Col du Cenise, sitting pretty at 1,723m (5,652ft), might be your perfect escape! Nestled in the Haute-Savoie, it's a fantastic shortcut connecting the Arve and Borne valleys in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. The 14.3 km (8.8 miles) route from Mont-Saxonnex to Glières-Val-de-Borne is a mixed bag. Think well-maintained gravel turning into a rocky challenge near the top! Most cars can handle the western approach to Chalet de Cenise, but beyond that, you'll definitely want a 4x4 to conquer the rugged middle section until you hit the sweet, sweet asphalt again near Parking des Frachets. Expect classic mountain road vibes: hairpin turns, steep climbs, and a surface that keeps you on your toes. Summer's the best time to go—winter snow usually shuts things down. Keep an eye on your car's ground clearance before tackling the rocky bit. But trust me, the views are worth it!
hardTravel guide to the top of Morron de Espuña
🇪🇸 Spain
# Morrón de Espuña: Spain's Epic Mountain Drive Ready for some serious elevation gain? Morrón de Espuña (also called Morrón de Totana) is a stunning 1,574-meter peak tucked away in Murcia's Sierra de Espuña mountains, in southeastern Spain. And yeah, there's actually military radar equipment up there, which adds a quirky touch to the summit experience. The road up is totally doable if you're up for a challenge. It's paved the whole way, but don't let that fool you—it's narrow, steep, and throws 20 hairpin turns at you as you climb. Expect sections with gradients reaching 12%, so your car (and your nerve) will definitely feel it. Starting from the MU-503 road, you're looking at a 12.6-kilometer push with a brutal 868-meter elevation gain. The average gradient hangs around 6.88%, making this a seriously demanding but incredibly rewarding drive. Winter visitors should note that snow is a real possibility up here, so check conditions before you head up. What makes it worth the white-knuckle drive? The views from the top are absolutely incredible—you'll get panoramic vistas across the entire surrounding landscape. It's one of those routes that'll have you catching your breath for more than one reason.