A classic road trip to Sierra Nevada in Granada
Spain, europe
12 km
2,385 m
moderate
Year-round
Sierra Nevada is a ski resort sitting pretty at 2,385m (7,824ft) above sea level in Granada, Spain — and it's seriously high up there. It's one of the country's loftiest roads, nestled in the Andalusia region in the southeastern corner of Spain. Want to go even higher? This place is your launchpad to Pico del Veleta, Europe's highest paved road.
Tucked away in the dramatic Sierra Nevada mountains, the route up to the resort is the fully paved A-395. Fair warning though: winters here are no joke. The mountain dishes out some seriously harsh weather, and weekends plus holiday seasons bring crowds that make the drive even trickier. Fun fact — this climb's so legendary it's been featured in the Spanish Vuelta cycling race.
Starting from Alto de Hazallanas on the GR-3200, you're looking at a 12km ascent that'll gain you 724 meters of elevation. The average gradient sits around 6.03%, but heads a few notches steeper with some sections pushing 14%, 15%, even 17%. So buckle up — it's an exhilarating ride through one of Spain's most spectacular mountain roads.
Where is it?
A classic road trip to Sierra Nevada in Granada is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 41.3471, -3.6930
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 12 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,385 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 41.3471, -3.6930
Related Roads in europe
hardJenkin Road in Sheffield is One of the Steepest Roads in the UK
🇬🇧 England
Okay, buckle up, because Jenkin Road in South Yorkshire is a beast of a climb! This little half-mile stretch north of Sheffield packs a serious punch. You might remember it from the 2014 Tour de France when it was briefly "Côte de Wincobank Hill." Locals know Jenkin Road for its insane steepness. A sign boasts a crazy 33% max gradient, but the *real* peak is closer to 17%, which is still nuts. It's paved, thankfully, but the slightly curved steepest part makes it feel even tougher. As you grind your way up, you'll pass through a normal residential area, with houses lining the road. The average gradient is around 11%. Trust me, your legs will feel every single percent! It’s short, it's brutal, and it's definitely a memorable ride.
hardA Road Up the Rifugio Piccolo Pirovano in Italy
🇮🇹 Italy
# Rifugio Piccolo Pirovano: A High-Alpine Adventure Tucked away in the Italian Alps near the Swiss border, Rifugio Piccolo Pirovano sits at a jaw-dropping 3,018 meters (9,901 feet) in Sondrio, Lombardy. This is seriously high-altitude driving territory—one of Europe's most elevated roads. Here's the thing: this route was closed for two decades, and it still feels remote and raw. The entire drive is unpaved, with most of it gravelly and manageable, though you'll hit a couple of genuinely rough patches that'll test your nerves. But here's what makes it special—if you can handle it, you're rewarded with views stretching across the Alps and glimpses of glaciers as you climb higher. The journey starts at the legendary Passo dello Stelvio and kicks off with an immediate gut-check: the road gets steep right from the first bend as it climbs toward Passo delle Platigliole. You're looking at 2.2 kilometers of elevation gain, climbing 253 meters with an average gradient of 11.5%—but brace yourself for sections hitting 22% that'll have you white-knuckling the wheel. Fair warning: this road is locked down by snow from late October through June or early July, depending on the season's snowfall and melt. Plan accordingly. The good news? There are a couple of hotels nearby (Hotel Baita Ortler and Hotel Thöni 3000) if you need a base, and the views over the Stelvio Pass alone make the effort worth it. This isn't a casual Sunday drive—it's a proper Alpine challenge.
moderateIs the road to Puerto de Izaña on Canary Islands paved?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're heading to Puerto de Izaña in Tenerife, Canary Islands, a whopping 2,263 meters (7,424 feet) above sea level. The road to the top? Smooth sailing on the TF-24, or Carretera de la Esperanza as the locals call it. Get ready for a wild ride – this 33.7 km (20.94 miles) stretch from Las Cañadas del Teide to Las Rosas is packed with twists, turns, and climbs that’ll have you hugging the edge of your seat, but with the greatest scenery! You'll be winding your way up, hitting some seriously steep sections where the gradient maxes out at a butt-clenching 12.3%. But trust me, the views from the natural lookout points are worth every single hairpin turn! This road, hugging the Base del Teide, is truly one of the most sensational routes in the Canary Islands.
moderateWhere is Şekersu Yaylası?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're heading to northeastern , make sure Şekersu Yaylası is on your radar. This high mountain pass sits way up in the clouds, so be prepared for some serious elevation. You'll find it snuggled in the , east of the infamous D915 (Bayburt-Of) Road. The road is , so you'll be jostling around for a bit. The journey to the top is about 20.6 km (12.80 miles), winding from south to north from Ardici Tepe. Now, getting to Ardici Tepe isn't a walk in the park, so buckle up! But trust me, the views from the top are SO worth it. Just make sure the weather is on your side before you go!