Puerto de San Rafael
Spain, europe
13.8 km
1,560 m
hard
Year-round
# Conquering Puerto de San Rafael: A Scenic Climb Through Aragon
Ready for an epic mountain road adventure? The A-228 in Spain's Teruel province is calling your name! This charming little pass sits at a respectable 1,560 meters (5,118 feet), making it a perfect playground for road enthusiasts.
Starting from the quaint town of Mora de Rubielos, you've got a solid 13.8-kilometer climb ahead of you. Don't worry though—while the average gradient hangs around a manageable 3.8%, things do get spicy with some sections hitting up to 9.3%. That's the kind of challenge that keeps your adrenaline pumping! Over the course of your ascent, you'll gain 520 meters of elevation, so come prepared with a full tank and fresh legs.
The fully asphalted surface means smooth sailing all the way up—no sketchy gravel here. And here's the cool part: this route is legit enough to have been featured in Spain's prestigious Vuelta a España cycling race, so you know you're driving a path that's been tested by the pros.
Expect stunning mountain scenery as you wind your way through Aragon, with dramatic elevation changes and those gorgeous Spanish Pyrenean vistas that make your Instagram feed sing. Whether you're tackling this as a road trip highlight or a cycling challenge, Puerto de San Rafael delivers an unforgettable experience.
Where is it?
Puerto de San Rafael is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.8535, -3.9691
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,560 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.8535, -3.9691
Related Roads in europe
moderateDatvisjvari Pass is Georgia's Ultimate Off-Road Adventure
🇬🇪 Georgia
Welcome to Ugheltekhili Dat'visjvari, or 'Bear Cross Pass' as it's known locally, a hidden gem nestled in Georgia's Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. This beast sits at a whopping 2,689m (8,822ft) above sea level! The pass gets its quirky name from a massive marble cross that marked this spot back in the Russian Empire days. The Shatili road, as it's called, stretches for 42.5 km (26.40 miles) from Godani, leading to the remote and historic village of Shatili, practically spitting distance from the Russian border. But the adventure doesn't end there! The road continues to Mutso and even wilder villages tucked away in the Andaki valley. Keep in mind, you'll typically find this beauty snowed in from October until May. The views? Absolutely breathtaking! But don't let the scenery distract you too much, because this unpaved road isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking serious drop-offs, ancient villages clinging to the mountainside, and fortresses that will transport you back in time. You'll need a trusty 4x4, nerves of steel, and a healthy respect for those steep 10% inclines. Plus, be prepared for possible river and waterfall flooding. It’s an unforgettable, adrenaline-pumping adventure you won't soon forget!
extremeA curvy road with 75 hairpin turns to Col de la Lombarde
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Lombarde-Colle della Lombarda Ever dreamed of conquering a legendary Alpine pass? Welcome to Col de la Lombarde-Colle della Lombarda, sitting pretty at 2,354m (7,723ft) on the Italy-France border. This beast connects southeastern France's Alpes-Maritimes with Italy's Cuneo Province in Piedmont, and trust us—it's absolutely worth the detour. Perched high above the Isola 2000 ski resort, this fully paved road is a thrilling roller coaster of 75 hairpin turns that'll keep your hands glued to the steering wheel. The French call it M97; the Italians know it as Strada Provinciale 255 (SP255). Built in 1971, it's typically open to traffic only during the summer months. The full 41.6 km (25.84 miles) stretch from Isola in France to Vinadio in Italy is a white-knuckle adventure that usually takes between 1 to 1.5 hours to drive. Some sections climb at a gnarly 17% gradient, so this isn't for the faint of heart. But here's the payoff: absolutely breathtaking Alpine views at every turn, plus historical WWII ruins—blockhouses and barracks—scattered near the summit. There's a small parking lot at the top where you can catch your breath and celebrate. Fun fact: the Tour de France didn't tackle this beast until 2008, proving that some roads are just too epic to ignore. Ready for the challenge?
moderateWhere is Ffordd Pen Llech?
🇬🇧 Wales
Okay, picture this: You're in North Wales, in the ridiculously charming medieval town of Harlech, right on the edge of Snowdonia National Park. You stumble upon Ffordd Pen Llech. It's a fully paved, single-track road that hugs the side of Harlech Castle like it's trying to escape. Now, this isn't just any road. We're talking seriously steep, with sections hitting a crazy 37.45% gradient! It's so intense that for a while, Guinness actually called it the steepest street on the planet. To keep things from getting totally chaotic, they've made the upper part one-way downhill, because the thought of cars meeting and trying to restart on that slope? Nightmare fuel. The whole thing is only about 0.2 miles long, but you gain a whopping 170 feet in elevation. That’s an average gradient of 17.33%! For cyclists, this is a legendary climb – brutal, yes, but unforgettable. And hey, if you’re feeling chicken, there’s another, slightly less insane route up the hill, with gradients topping out at a “mere” 25%. Either way, buckle up for some incredible views and a seriously unforgettable drive.
moderateTravel guide to the top of Col des Annes
🇫🇷 France
# Col des Annes Perched at 1,721 meters (5,646 feet) above sea level in Haute-Savoie in south-eastern France, Col des Annes is one seriously impressive alpine pass. The entire route is paved, which is great news—though fair warning, you'll encounter plenty of gravel scattered across the asphalt, so take it easy through the curves. What makes this climb special is the scenery. The road winds through gorgeous alpine pastures as it climbs higher, delivering those classic French Alps views that'll make you want to stop every five minutes for photos. Starting from Le Grand Bornand, you're looking at an 11.96 km climb with 808 meters of elevation gain—that's an average gradient of 6.7%, but here's the kicker: the final stretch ramps up to a punishing 15% average. The good news? The road stays relatively mellow until you pass a golf course at 1,055 meters, where things suddenly get serious and the real climbing begins. You can typically access the pass year-round, which is convenient, though winter storms do occasionally force temporary closures during particularly nasty weather. It's one of the highest paved roads in the region, so the views and the challenge are definitely worth the effort.