Ermita de la Virgen de Lomos de Orios
Spain, europe
30 km
1,433 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, road trip fans, let's head to northern Spain! Deep in La Rioja, you'll find the Ermita de la Virgen de Lomos de Orios, a sweet little chapel perched way up high at 1,433 meters.
The road to get there? Picture this: twisty asphalt ribbon winding through the Sierra de Cebollera Natural Park. It's a bit narrow in places, so keep it chill at 30km/h. Good news: there's a big parking area at the top! The climb kicks off in Villoslada de Cameros and stretches for 8.5 km, gaining 393 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 4.62%, so nothing too crazy. FYI, this climb is so scenic it has even been featured in the Vuelta Ciclista a la Rioja! One thing to keep in mind: being so high up, expect some serious snow in the winter. The road can get closed if it's not cleared, so plan accordingly.
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 30 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,433 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Col du Portillon-Coll de Portilló?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Col du Portillon-Coll de Portilló! This beauty straddles the French/Spanish border high up in the Pyrenees, hitting a cool 4,242 feet above sea level. You'll find it in southwestern France (Occitanie region) and northern Spain (Catalonia). The road itself? Expect curves! It's paved, but get ready for a winding ride: about 10km (6.2 miles) on the French side and 7km (4.3 miles) on the Spanish. Even the Tour de France has tackled this one! Total length comes in at around 17km (10.56 miles), heading east-west. It's usually open year-round, though winter can bring some temporary closures, so check ahead. This drive isn't recommended if you easily get motion sickness, as it offers dizzying drop-offs. Prepare for some stunning scenery, too!
hardWhat’s the history of Alan Pass?
🇭🇷 Croatia
Cruising through Lika-Senj County, Croatia? You absolutely HAVE to experience Veliki Alan pass! Nestled in the Velebit mountains, overlooking the Adriatic Sea, this road clocks in at 25.7 km (15.96 miles) of pure adrenaline. Okay, let’s be real – this isn’t your average Sunday drive. We’re talking a seriously narrow, mostly paved road with some pretty intense drop-offs. This is the highest point of the road, reaching 1,414m (4,639ft)! The pass has a crazy history, too! It's been used for thousands of years, even by the Romans! Then it was critical for trade, and timber transport... Even crazier, the road was built under terrible conditions by political prisoners. Heads up: this road isn't maintained in winter, and is generally open from June until the first snow. Just because the lower slopes look clear doesn’t mean you're in the clear either – huge drifts can build up. Important safety tip: stick to the road! This area saw some heavy fighting, and there are still minefield warning signs posted. Better safe than sorry, right? The payoff? Jaw-dropping views! The road winds mostly through the forest, but the summit is something else. Mountain huts dot the top, along with a monument honoring the Partisans who defended Velebit. And the panorama? Think endless sea, dotted with islands – absolutely unforgettable!
hardUltimate 4wd destination: Cima di Tombue
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the heart of Corsica's Haute-Corse department lies Cima di Tombue, a seriously epic mountain pass. We're talking high – nearly 4,000 feet above sea level! Forget smooth tarmac; this climb is all about that rugged, unpaved life. Seriously, a 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's a must. The road to the top is short but brutal – only about 0.75 miles, but with some sections hitting a crazy 17% gradient! That's nearly 100 meters of climbing in under a mile. Be prepared for strong winds, especially from the north and northwest. But hey, the views from up there? Totally worth the white knuckles!
moderateM62 at Stott Hall Farm: The House That Split a Motorway
🇬🇧 England
Cruising the M62 between Lancashire and Yorkshire, specifically between junctions 22 and 23? Get ready for a head-scratcher! Right there, smack-dab in the middle of the motorway, sits a farm. Yup, a real, live farm, with multi-lane highways zooming past on either side. Forget the urban legend about stubborn owners! Turns out, Mother Nature had other plans. A geological fault lurking beneath the soil forced engineers to split the motorway around this historic gem. We're talking about Stott Hall Farm, dating all the way back to 1737! This stone beauty, originally a shooting lodge on Moss Moor, is now a working farm. Since the late '60s, millions have gawked at this sight. Nicknamed "Little House on the Prairie" by radio jockeys and CB enthusiasts, it's a bonafide UK motorway icon. It's even been the star of documentaries and a quirky John Shuttleworth tune! Don't worry about the farmers; they've got a secret underpass for private access. Fences and trees create a livestock-friendly zone and a bit of privacy, and triple-glazed windows keep the motorway hum at bay. Plus, these guys are eco-warriors, restoring peatlands and providing homes for birds. Stott Hall Farm is a total anomaly—a centuries-old farmhouse that won its battle against progress. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best detours lead to the most unforgettable sights.