A narrow paved road to Ortzanzurieta
Spain, europe
6 km
1,570 m
hard
Year-round
# Ortzanzurieta: A Thrilling Climb in Spain's Pyrenees
Ready for a proper adventure? Ortzanzurieta sits pretty at 1,570m (5,150ft) in Navarre, Spain, just a stone's throw from the French border. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—it's the kind of road that'll get your adrenaline pumping.
The route, known as NA-2033, kicks off from Puerto de Ibañeta (1,057m/3,468ft) and climbs 6km to the summit. Fair warning: this road's got character. It's fully paved, which sounds promising, but don't let that fool you. You'll encounter broken sections, zero central lines, and a width that'll make you white-knuckle your steering wheel. The grades are relentless too—never dipping below 8%, with some sections hitting a brutal 20% gradient.
Set high in the Pyrenees—that dramatic mountain range cutting between France and Spain—this route serves up serious challenges alongside stunning alpine scenery. If you're after something genuinely testing that'll make for an incredible story back home, NA-2033 definitely delivers. Just take it slow, stay focused, and respect what the mountain throws at you.
Where is it?
A narrow paved road to Ortzanzurieta is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 39.5457, -3.3210
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 6 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,570 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 39.5457, -3.3210
Related Roads in europe
hardDriving the challenging steep road to Passo Muazz in Ticino
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Passo Muazz Ready for a Swiss mountain adventure? Passo Muazz sits at 1,700m (5,567ft) in Ticino's Blenio district, right near the Grisons border in the southern part of the region. Starting from the charming town of Ghirone at 1,252m, this 6.1 km (3.79 miles) route is definitely not for the faint of heart. You'll tackle 13 wickedly sharp hairpin turns while climbing 448 meters—that's an average gradient of 7.34%. The road's mostly paved, though you'll hit some gravel sections toward the end. The real magic? You'll pass Lago di Luzzone, a stunning high mountain lake at 1,606m that's home to the world's highest artificial climbing wall on its dam. Then things get serious: the road gets narrow, twists get tighter, and you'll enter the famously claustrophobic Carassina (or Luzzone) Tunnel. Built way back in 1963, it's probably the narrowest tunnel you'll ever drive through on a public road—pretty wild! After emerging from the tunnel, a final 500m of gravel road with a gentle climb gets you to Passo Muazz itself. Park up and soak in the views, or continue on to Lago di Carassino and the Capanna Adula mountain refuge if you're feeling the adventure vibes.
hardA Steep Paved Road to Berghaus Schwaben
🇩🇪 Germany
# Berghaus Schwaben: A High-Alpine Adventure Nestled in Bavaria's Oberallgäu district, Berghaus Schwaben sits pretty at 1,517m (4,977ft) in the heart of the Allgäu Alps. You'll find this charming mountain hut tucked between Weiherkopf and Riedberger Horn in southern Germany—basically the sweet spot for alpine scenery. Here's the thing: the road up to this refuge is mostly paved, but don't let that fool you. It's narrow, seriously steep, and totally closed to regular traffic (so no taking your personal vehicle to the summit). Starting from Bolsterlang, you're looking at a 5 km (3.10 miles) push uphill. That might sound manageable, but you'll be climbing 629 meters with an average gradient of 12.58%—which means this road means business. Bring your A-game if you're planning to tackle it. The payoff? Stunning alpine views that'll make every switchback worth it.
moderateCol d'Albanne
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the French Alps, specifically the Maurienne Valley in Savoie. You're heading for Col d'Albanne, a sweet mountain pass that tops out at 1,652 meters (5,419 feet). The road, known as the D81, is paved and ready for action. Your adventure starts in Le Bochet, and from there, it's a 12.33 km climb to the top. Prepare for a serious workout – you'll gain 957 meters in elevation! The average grade is a leg-burning 7.8%, but be ready for pitches hitting nearly 11%. The road's pretty wide and twisty and usually not too crowded... unless it's a Saturday during ski season. Then, all bets are off! The views are totally worth it.
hardPointe des Mossettes
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Pointe des Mossettes Perched at 2,252m (7,388ft) on the French-Swiss border, Pointe des Mossettes sits right above the Avoriaz ski slopes and offers an adventure that's not for the faint of heart. Fair warning: this is a gravel and rocky route that gets genuinely bumpy and unstable in sections. Winter? Forget about it—the road becomes completely impassable. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous or heights aren't your thing, you'll want to skip this one entirely. The climb is seriously steep, so you need solid off-road skills to tackle it. Weather is your enemy here too. When conditions turn wet, that muddy surface becomes a real challenge. But if you're an experienced wheeler with nerves of steel and a vehicle up to the task, this is the kind of alpine thrill ride that makes for an unforgettable story.