Where is La Covatilla?
Spain, europe
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about La Covatilla, a beast of a climb nestled in the southern reaches of the Salamanca Province! This peak, sitting high in the Sistema Central Mountains near the border with Extremadura, is not for the faint of heart. Think windblown, almost lunar landscapes at the top – seriously exposed, folks! You'll find the Sierra de Béjar La Covatilla ski station up there, accessible via a gravel service road near the chairlift.
The good news? The main road, DSA-191, is paved and generally in good shape. This beauty stretches for roughly 12 km, packing in a serious 700 meters of elevation gain. That means an average gradient of around 6%, but be prepared for some steep sections hitting 10%! Despite being high up in the mountains, the road's usually kept open year-round to serve the ski resort, so even in winter, you can (probably) reach the top.
Related Roads in europe
hardRoad Trip Guide: Conquering Col des Ruillans in the Hautes-Alpes
🇫🇷 France
# Col des Ruillans: A Wild Alpine Adventure Ready for one of Europe's most extreme driving experiences? Col des Ruillans sits at a jaw-dropping 3,231m (10,600ft) in the Hautes-Alpes, making it one of the continent's highest roads. You'll find it nestled within the stunning Écrins National Park in southeastern France's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. And yes, there's actually a bar at the summit—because why not celebrate your conquest with a drink? Now, here's the catch: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. Starting from La Grave, the 8.3 km (5.15 miles) route climbs a brutal 1,742m with an average gradient of nearly 21%. We're talking steep. The entire road is unpaved and basically serves as a chairlift access trail, which means you'll need a seriously modified vehicle to even attempt it. Regular cars? Absolutely not. The real kicker? You can only realistically drive this beast during a tiny window at the end of August, when the snow finally melts enough to make the road passable. Winter and spring? Forget about it. But if you time it right and your vehicle is up for the challenge, you're looking at one of the most spectacular alpine experiences France has to offer, surrounded by some genuinely breathtaking scenery.
moderateHow to drive the scenic Ryfylke National Tourist?
🇳🇴 Norway
# Ryfylke National Tourist Route If you're craving one of Norway's most jaw-dropping drives, the Ryfylke National Tourist Route is calling your name. This 260 km (161 miles) beauty stretches from north to south between the charming village of Røldal and the tiny farming community of Oanes, and it's packed with everything that makes Scandinavian scenery legendary. Picture yourself winding through a landscape that screams dramatic contrasts—towering mountains, polished glacier-carved cliffs, cascading rockslides, and the deep blue fjords that Norway is famous for. It's the kind of drive that makes you want to pull over constantly just to soak it all in. The route follows Road 520 and Road 13, both fully paved, though fair warning: the sections heading over the mountain to Røldal get pretty narrow and twisty. If you're thinking of bringing a big bus, you might want to reconsider—shorter buses handle these hairpin turns way better. You'll climb to 972 meters (3,188 feet) above sea level at the highest point, and you'll want to save this adventure for the warmer months. The road typically shuts down starting in November and doesn't reopen until June, so plan accordingly. With two ferries included in the route and scenery that'll make every mile feel like a victory lap, this is absolutely one for the bucket list.
hardWhat are the highest roads in Italy?
🇮🇹 Italy
# Italy's Most Epic Mountain Drives Italy's got this incredible boot-shaped peninsula that juts right into the Mediterranean, and honestly? The real magic happens in the mountains. You've got the Alps dominating the north with their jaw-dropping Dolomites, and then the Apennines running down the entire spine of the country like nature's own backbone. All that dramatic terrain means the Italians had to get creative—and boy, did they ever. They carved out these insanely scenic mountain roads, called Passi, that snake their way across some of the most breathtaking Alpine landscapes you'll ever see. We're talking white-knuckle switchbacks, panoramic vistas that'll make your phone storage weep, and roads that feel like they were designed for pure driving joy. Want to explore some of the world's most stunning routes? Head to our interactive map and start planning your adventure. Whether you're chasing mountain passes or hunting for that perfect hairpin turn, there's something here to make your heart race. Found an incredible road that needs to be on everyone's bucket list? We'd love to hear about it! Share your hidden gem with us—your discovery could be the next legendary route featured on our platform.
hardA brutal road (20%) to Alto Llano in Segovia
🇪🇸 Spain
# Alto Llano: A Brutal Climb in Central Spain Tucked away in Segovia Province, Alto Llano (also called Navapelegrín) sits pretty at 1,710 meters in the heart of Spain, right where Castilla-La Mancha meets Madrid. This isn't your leisurely Sunday drive destination—it's a serious mountain challenge that'll test your mettle. The road itself is fully paved with some concrete stretches, but don't let that fool you. It's narrow and relentlessly steep. You can usually tackle it year-round, though Mother Nature occasionally shuts things down temporarily when winter throws a tantrum. The real story starts at La Pradera de Navalhorno, where you've got 6.8 kilometers of pure climbing ahead. The average grade sits around 7.5 percent, but the summit section doesn't play nice—expect sustained stretches at 12 percent with teeth-gritting pitches hitting 20 percent. It's the kind of climb that'll have you asking yourself why you thought this was a good idea (at least until you reach the top and the views hit different). Fair warning: this isn't a casual drive. It's a proper mountain experience that demands respect and concentration. But if you're after that adrenaline rush and incredible scenery, Alto Llano delivers in spades.