Where is Puerto El Peñón?

Where is Puerto El Peñón?

Spain, europe

Length

36.9 km

Elevation

1,840 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Puerto El Peñón, a seriously cool (and challenging!) mountain pass in the heart of Spain's Castile and León region. We're talking about a summit that tops out at a lofty 1,840m (6,036ft)!

You'll find this beauty straddling the provinces of León and Zamora, way up in the northwest of the country. Locals might call it Alto del Peñón or Puerto de Vizcodillo.

The road, officially known as ZA-P-2665, is paved... mostly. But be warned: winter takes its toll, so expect a bumpy ride with plenty of potholes to dodge. Word is, they usually patch things up after the snow melts, but keep your eyes peeled!

This isn't a quick jaunt. We're talking a 36.9 km (22.92 miles) journey from Truchas (in León) down to El Puente (in Zamora). And hold on tight, because there are some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting a maximum of 12%! But, hey, the views are worth it, right?

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Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
36.9 km
Max Elevation
1,840 m
Difficulty
moderate

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