Where is Puerto de las Palomas?

Where is Puerto de las Palomas?

Spain, europe

Length

15.7 km

Elevation

1,357 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park in southern Spain, province of Cádiz, heading for the legendary Puerto de las Palomas. This mountain pass climbs to a lofty 1,190 meters (3,904 feet) above sea level – despite what that misleading sign at the top might say!

The road, CA-9104, is all smooth pavement, but don't let that fool you. This isn't your average Sunday drive. Get ready for a wild ride of non-stop curves and hairpin turns as you grind your way up some seriously steep sections, hitting gradients of up to 14%!

Clocking in at 15.7 kilometers (9.75 miles) between Zahara de la Sierra in the north and the area near Grazalema to the south, this road is usually open year-round, though winter snow might occasionally close it.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! The summit has a small parking area where you can catch your breath and soak in the stunning views. There's even a hiking path for a better view of the provinces of Cadiz, Málaga, and Seville. Trust me, the panoramic vistas are totally worth the white knuckles.

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Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
15.7 km
Max Elevation
1,357 m
Difficulty
hard

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