Where is Portillo de Lunada?
Spain, europe
31.5 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, road trip enthusiasts, buckle up! We're heading to Portillo de Lunada, nestled high in the Cordillera Cantábrica, right on the border where Cantabria kisses Castile and León in northern Spain. This ancient pass, used since Roman times, climbs from Espinosa de los Monteros up to San Roque de Riomiera through the stunning Collados del Asón Natural Park.
Clocking in at just under 20 miles, this route isn't for the faint of heart. While usually open year-round, winter can bring closures, so check ahead. Expect a maximum gradient of 12% on paved sections that wind their way to the top. Be warned though, this beauty comes with a bite! Keep an eye out for potential rockslides.
The views? Totally worth it. But keep your wits about you – this isn't a Sunday drive.
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 31.5 km
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateBarbacana Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
Alright adventure-seekers, let's talk about Passo Barbacana! This wild ride straddles the Italian-French border in the Alpes-Maritimes, clocking in at a cool 2,180m (7,152ft). Here's the deal: you can drive up from the Italian side, but the French side is strictly for hikers. Think gravel, rocks, and a whole lotta bumps – this ain't your average Sunday drive. It's an old military road that's usually snowed in during winter. If you're an experienced off-roader, this is your playground! Newbies might want to sit this one out. Perched at the top is an abandoned military fortress steeped in history, a relic of the Franco-Hispanic campaign of 1744. You'll need a 4x4, and a good head for heights. The trail's pretty steep (think 13-15% inclines), and it can get muddy if it's wet. But trust me, the scenery is worth it! Picture stunning lakes and vibrant colors popping up all around.
hardWhere is Cleuson Lake?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Alright, adventure seekers, let me tell you about Lac de Cleuson, a shimmering alpine lake nestled high in the Swiss Valais canton. You'll find this beauty in the Conthey district, hanging out way up in the mountains near the Refuge de Saint-Laurent. Seriously, this place is remote and ridiculously gorgeous. The Cleuson dam, built in the late 40s for hydroelectric power, holds back around 20 million cubic meters of water – pretty impressive, right? Its massive wall looms over everything, a testament to its sturdy reinforced design. Now, about the road... Get ready for a thrilling ride! Starting from Nendaz, you're in for about 11km of mostly paved road that turns to gravel near the very end. This climb is *steep* – we're talking sections hitting 28%! Throw in some narrow stretches, tons of hairpin turns, and tunnels, and you've got yourself an unforgettable drive. Heads up, though – the final stretch is usually closed to public vehicles, reserved only for authorized traffic. Keep in mind that from November to May, this road is totally snowed in. Is it worth the effort? Absolutely! The road offers incredible views of the Nendaz Valley stretching out below, with the distant Vaud Alps gracing the horizon. And right by the lake, you'll find the charming Chapelle catholique de Cleuson (Saint-Barthélémy), the highest chapel in the area. Trust me; this is a Swiss adventure you won't soon forget.
moderateC31 is a Busy Coastal Road with Sharp Curves and Stunning Views in Barcelona
🇪🇸 Spain
# C31: Catalonia's Coastal Thrill Ride Ready for a scenic drive that'll get your heart pumping? The C31, affectionately known as Costes del Garraf, is a stunning coastal corniche hugging Spain's Catalonia shoreline southwest of Barcelona. Fair warning though—if hairpin turns make you queasy, you might want to sit this one out. This charming road has serious history. Originally paved at the end of the 19th century over a medieval route, it's evolved into a beloved (if chaotic) coastal drive that stretches from El Vendrell to Castelldefels, running practically alongside the Mediterranean. But here's where it gets wild: the real action happens in that intense 16.5 km stretch between Castelldefels and Sitges, where you'll navigate a jaw-dropping 86 curves as the road clings to the cliffs of Parc Natural del Garraf. The route is fully paved but incredibly narrow—one lane in each direction—and perpetually packed with cars. Picture yourself threading through tight bends with the ocean sprawling below, your brakes working overtime as you wind along these dramatic clifftop curves. Overtaking? Forget about it. The road offers nowhere to pass, and weekend traffic gets absolutely mental. What you do get are absolutely breathtaking ocean vistas and several pullout spots to snap photos. Just expect company—especially on weekends and holidays when tourists flood in, plus weekday cement trucks rumbling through. No shoulders, tight curves, hot brakes, and zero escape routes make this one of those drives you'll either absolutely love or absolutely dread. Sitges, a charming coastal town at the end, was actually a tourism pioneer in both Catalonia and Europe—so at least you'll have a rewarding destination after conquering this coastal beast.
extremeRuta Urdon-Tresviso is a challenging mule track
🇪🇸 Spain
# Ruta Urdón-Tresviso: A Spectacular Mountain Trek Through Spain's Picos de Europa Nestled in the stunning Liebana zone between Asturias and Cantabria, the Ruta Urdón-Tresviso is a legendary mule track that'll test your legs and reward your soul. This 5.9 km (3.66 miles) east-west route climbs a jaw-dropping 895 meters from the N-621 road at Desfiladero de La Hermida all the way up to the charming village of Tresviso perched high in the mountains. Fair warning: this isn't a casual stroll. Built back in the 1800s by a mining company called 'La Providencia' to haul materials to the Andara mine, this rocky, unpaved path means serious business. With a brutal 37% maximum gradient in places and a relentless 15.16% average climb, you'll be earning every step. The track's also known by several names—Subida a Tresviso, La Senda de La Peña, or Ruta a Tresviso—and it's permanently closed to vehicles for good reason. Expect countless hairpin turns and genuinely hair-raising drop-offs that demand your full attention and respect. Even Spanish Civil War soldiers knew this route's challenges. Timing matters too: winters bring heavy snow while summers get scorching hot, so pack accordingly and bring way more water than you think you'll need. But here's the payoff: the scenery is absolutely unreal. As you climb through names like Ahileras, Entrelospuentes, and el balcón de Pilatos—where you'll encounter a stomach-dropping 600-meter vertical drop with panoramic views of the Urdón river—you'll understand why this trek is worth every breathless moment.