Where is Puerto de Ancares?

Where is Puerto de Ancares?

Spain, europe

Length

14.1 km

Elevation

1,670 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Let's talk about Puerto de Ancares, a seriously cool mountain pass straddling the border between autonomous regions in northwestern Spain. Locals also call it Collado de Ancares.

So, how tough is it? Well, the pavement's there, but let's just say it's seen better days. Plus, it's a real leg-burner, with some seriously steep sections. We're talking a maximum gradient that'll have you shifting gears like crazy! Even the Vuelta a España has tackled this climb, so you know it's legit.

The whole thing stretches for about 14.1 kilometers (that's 8.76 miles for my American friends) from the village of Tejedo de Ancares up to the top. And trust me, it's a pretty solitary drive.

Up top, you'll find a parking lot and a viewpoint with killer views. Just keep in mind that being high up in the Ancares Mountains means the weather can get wild. It's generally open year-round, but be prepared for possible winter closures if the snow gets heavy.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
14.1 km
Max Elevation
1,670 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Coll de Baretjahard

Coll de Baretja

🇪🇸 Spain

# Coll de Baretja: A Wild Alpine Adventure Sitting pretty at 1,753 meters (5,751 feet) on the Spanish-French border, Coll de Baretja is not your average mountain pass. Nestled in the stunning Aran Valley, this is pure, unapologetic alpine terrain that'll get your adrenaline pumping. Fair warning: the road up here is gravel and rock all the way, with plenty of bumpy, tippy sections that'll test your driving skills. You're looking at a seriously steep climb, so this definitely isn't the place to conquer your fear of heights. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 vehicle—there's no way around it. The window to drive this route is tight. October through June? Forget about it. Mother Nature pretty much shuts this place down, though occasionally a break in the weather might open a brief window. Even during the "open" season, thunderstorms can roll in without warning and transform the unpacked dirt into an impassable bog in minutes. This is hardcore stuff. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, save yourself the stress and pick a different route. But if you're an experienced off-roader with solid mountain driving credentials and nerves of steel? Coll de Baretja will reward you with an unforgettable ride through some of the Alps' most dramatic landscape.

Pyrgarihard

Pyrgari

🇬🇷 Greece

# Pyrgari: A Thrilling Mountain Drive Above Athens Ready for a heart-pumping drive with some seriously stunning views? Head to Pyrgari, a 1,109-meter peak nestled in the North Athens hills. This mountain is part of the impressive Mount Penteli range, and the journey to the top is absolutely worth your time. The road itself is paved but gets pretty narrow in sections, and we're not going to sugarcoat it—this is a steep climb. Starting from Agiou Panteleimonos Road, you're looking at 7.6 kilometers of continuous uphill action with 613 meters of elevation gain (averaging an 8.06% gradient). Your car will definitely feel the burn, and so will your brakes. Once you reach the summit, you'll find an abandoned military base and some communication towers sharing the peak with you. The area is prone to rockslides, so keep your wits about you. But here's the payoff: panoramic views of Penteli Mountain and Athens sprawling out below you are absolutely incredible. There's also some cool history here—this region was famous in ancient times for its marble, the very stone that built the Acropolis and other iconic structures of ancient Athens. So you're literally driving through history while enjoying one of the best views around.

Get behind the wheels for Mam Torhard

Get behind the wheels for Mam Tor

🇬🇧 England

Get ready to experience Mam Tor, nicknamed the "Shivering Mountain," a mountain pass chilling at 461m (1,512ft) in the High Peak of Derbyshire, England. This route, known as Mam Tor Road (part of the A625), is entirely paved but be warned: it gets narrow and steep! Due to these conditions, plus a serious 20% gradient, it's off-limits to buses, coaches, and heavier vehicles. As you wind through a cleft, keep your eyes peeled for towering limestone pinnacles. The eastern face is prone to landslips, creating a landscape of unique 'mini-hills' below. These landslips are caused by unstable shale layers, hence the mountain's nickname. Spanning 17.54km (10.9 miles) from Chapel-en-le-Frith to Hope, this pass isn't just for cars. Cyclists tackle it annually in the Tour of the Peak, where it's known as a leg-buster with a maximum 10% gradient! Dating back to 1819, the original road was built to bypass the super-steep Winnats Pass. But, thanks to the local geology, the road almost immediately started to sink. For 160 years, it underwent constant repairs, eventually leading to single-lane traffic in 1977. By 1979, the cost of keeping it open became too high, and the Old Mam Tor Road was permanently closed.

How long is Zig Zag Road Box Hill?moderate

How long is Zig Zag Road Box Hill?

🇬🇧 England

Okay, buckle up, road trip enthusiasts, because Zig Zag Road in Surrey is an absolute gem! Picture this: a super smooth ribbon of asphalt snaking its way up North Downs, right in the heart of the South East of England. They call it England's twistiest road, and it lives up to the hype. This beauty stretches for about 6.6 kilometers (or a little over 4 miles) from Westhumble to the M25. It's a real leg-burner, especially for cyclists, but the views are so worth the effort. Speaking of effort, get ready for a climb! This road steadily gains 120 meters (almost 400 feet) over 2.5 kilometers (about 1.6 miles). Sure, it's no alpine pass, but with an average gradient of around 5%, it'll definitely get your heart pumping. Zig Zag Road leads up to Box Hill, a mountain pass that sits at a lofty 212 meters (nearly 700 feet). This route has been a cyclist's paradise since the late 1800s and even played a starring role in the 2012 Olympics!