A narrow road to the wild Picon Blanco in the Cantabrian Mountains
Spain, europe
4.8 km
1,512 m
hard
Year-round
# Picón Blanco: Spain's Steep Alpine Challenge
Want to tackle one of Spain's most brutal climbs? Picón Blanco rises to 1,512m (4,960ft) in the Burgos province of Castile and León, nestled in the Cantabrian Mountains near the Cantabria border. The name says it all—"White Peak"—thanks to the snow that blankets it every winter.
The main paved road ascending from Espinosa de los Monteros stretches 8 km with a brutal 740-meter elevation gain. Sounds manageable? Think again. You're looking at an average gradient of 9.25%, but buckle up for some sections that hit a punishing 20.6%. The road's in rough shape too, battered by harsh mountain weather, so expect a genuinely challenging ride.
At the top, you'll find the skeleton of an old military communications base from the 1970s, abandoned since 1999. It's a quirky piece of Spanish military history waiting at the summit.
If you're feeling adventurous, there's a narrow, unpaved 4.8 km track heading west toward Puerto de la Sía pass—but seriously, only take this one in a robust 4x4, and definitely not in winter when it becomes impassable.
This climb's earned serious respect in the cycling world, regularly featuring as a brutal final stage in the Vuelta a Burgos and Spain's famous Vuelta races. Whether you're driving or cycling, Picón Blanco demands respect.
Where is it?
A narrow road to the wild Picon Blanco in the Cantabrian Mountains is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.6947, -4.3691
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 4.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,512 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.6947, -4.3691
Related Roads in europe
extremeA journey on the legendary Pista del Marroquí
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Pista del Marroquí, an old road clinging to the cliffs in Ourense, up in the Galicia region of northwest Spain. Seriously stunning! This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. Nestled way up in the Macizo Galaico-Leones mountains, this 9-kilometer stretch is a bit rough around the edges. You'll find pavement for most of it, but there are some unpaved sections towards the end that add a little extra thrill. Let's just say it's cozy – definitely a one-car-at-a-time kind of road. Fair warning: it's not maintained and has some serious drop-offs – we're talking hundreds of meters! Here's the cool part: it was built way back between 1927 and 1940 to help build a railway line from Vigo to Madrid. It's named after the engineer, Augusto Marroquí. Legend has it that so many workers died building the railway (around 12,000!), that it got the nickname "Camiño dos Mortos" – the Track of the Dead. The road basically hugs the railway line, acting as a service road for workers, supplies, and the injured. You'll be winding between 800 and 1000 meters above sea level, with unbelievable mountain views. Be aware that a landslide has blocked part of the road, so you can't drive the whole thing. There's a place called Mirador de Sierra Alta nearby for taking pictures.
extremeWhere is Ancient Thera?
🇬🇷 Greece
Okay, buckle up, adventure-seekers! If you're visiting Santorini and want a thrill, you HAVE to check out Ancient Thera. This antique city, dating back to the 9th century BC, is perched high on Mesa Vouno mountain, right between Perissa and Kamari beaches. Getting there is half the fun (or terror, depending on your driving skills!). The road is only 2.7 kilometers (1.67 miles) long, but it's packed with 22 hairpin turns – they call them the Kamari serpentines for a reason! Starting from Kamari, you'll climb 252 meters with some sections hitting a crazy 17% gradient. We're talking seriously steep cobblestone, narrow single lane in many places, and…gulp… zero guardrails. But, oh my, the views! As you wind your way up, you'll be treated to breathtaking vistas of the Aegean Sea. Just take it slow and steady; this isn't a race. And pro-tip: the road's closed from 5:30 pm to 7:30 am, and the site itself is closed to walkers on Mondays, so plan accordingly!
moderateCollado del Puerto
🇪🇸 Spain
Alright, thrill-seekers, let's talk about Collado del Puerto! Nestled high in the Sierra Nevada National Park in Granada, Andalucia, Spain, this peak sits pretty at 2,205 meters (that's 7,234 feet!). Heads up: the road to the top is unpaved, so you'll want to tackle this one from late spring to early fall, unless you're cool with snow. A 4x4 is definitely your best bet. Starting in the charming town of Lanteira, the climb stretches 9.5 kilometers, gaining 431 meters in elevation. We're talking an average gradient of 4.53%, so get ready for a steady climb! Expect incredible views and some challenging terrain. It's a must-do for any adventure traveler.
easyColle del Ghisallo is a paradise for cyclists in Lago Como
🇮🇹 Italy
# Colle del Ghisallo: A Cyclist's Holy Pilgrimage Nestled in the Province of Como in Lombardy, just a stone's throw from the Swiss border and Lake Como, sits one of Italy's most iconic cycling destinations. The Colle del Ghisallo rises to 754m (2,473ft) and connects the upper reaches of the Valassina Larian Triangle near the charming village of Magreglio. But this isn't just any mountain pass—it's practically sacred ground for cyclists. At the summit stands the Santuario Del Ghisallo, a 17th-century sanctuary dedicated to the Patron Saint of Cyclists. Legend has it that a local Count named Ghisallo was once saved from bandits after spotting an apparition of the Virgin Mary. That miraculous moment transformed this spot into a spiritual haven for travelers, and especially cyclists. The sanctuary is absolutely worth the visit, especially since the addition of the Museo del Ciclismo (Cycling Museum). Inside, you'll find some seriously cool artifacts: an eternal flame burning for cyclists who've passed away, and an incredibly moving display that includes the mangled bicycle of Fabio Casartelli, a local hero who tragically died in a Tour de France crash. The museum also showcases legendary bikes from cycling's greatest moments—think Eddy Merckx's 1974 World Championship Colnago, Giuseppe Saronni's iconic 1982 machine, and even Francesco Moser's wild-looking 1984 hour record bike with its massive rear disc. The climb itself? Totally doable on a well-maintained, fully paved road. The 15km (9.32-mile) route runs north-south from Bellagio to Sormano. Starting from Bellagio, expect 10.6km of climbing with 552 meters of elevation gain. The average gradient sits at a reasonable 5.2%, though you'll hit some spicy 14% sections that'll test your legs. It's famous enough to have been featured in the Giro d'Italia—and for good reason.