Road NA-4000

Road NA-4000

Spain, europe

Length

19.1 km

Elevation

447 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

# Carretera NA-4000: A Thrilling Ride Through Navarre

Ready for some serious driving adventure? The Carretera NA-4000 winds through the heart of Navarre in northern Spain, and trust me, this isn't your everyday scenic cruise.

Stretching just over 19 kilometers, this narrow tarmac road is absolutely packed with curves and switchbacks that'll keep even seasoned drivers on their toes. The road engineers have at least had the sense to bank some of the tighter turns to help you navigate them smoothly. Still, this route demands respect and concentration—it's definitely not a place for autopilot driving.

Connecting the N-121A and GI-3420 roads, the NA-4000 climbs steadily as you drive, gaining about 400 meters in elevation. Fair warning: if anyone in your car gets queasy on winding roads, this probably isn't the trip for them. Save the big meal for after you arrive. The steep sections combined with endless curves can genuinely challenge sensitive stomachs.

What makes this drive truly special (and occasionally spooky) is the dense vegetation that crowds the roadside. At certain points, the foliage is so thick it completely blocks out the sky above you. You feel like you're driving through a tunnel made of trees.

Speaking of tunnels, the road actually ends in a real one—a narrow 300-meter passage near Collado de Arichulegui mountain pass at 447 meters elevation. Oh, and one more thing: keep your eyes peeled for wild horses roaming the area. They've got every right to be there, so give them space.

Where is it?

Road NA-4000 is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.0851, -3.7472

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Length
19.1 km
Max Elevation
447 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
40.0851, -3.7472

Related Roads in europe

An epic road to Port de Bales in the French Pyreneeshard

An epic road to Port de Bales in the French Pyrenees

🇫🇷 France

# Port de Balès: A High-Alpine Adventure in the Pyrenees Sitting pretty at 1,760m (5,774ft) in the heart of the Occitanie region, Port de Balès is one of France's most thrilling mountain passes. Straddling the border between Hautes-Pyrénées and Haute-Garonne—just a stone's throw from Spain—this is seriously dramatic territory. The fully paved route (D925 and D51D) is no joke. This narrow, winding climb demands respect, with vertiginous drop-offs, zero guardrails, and some seriously hair-raising sections that'll get your adrenaline pumping. The good news? You'll barely see another car up here. The bad news? There's absolutely nothing at the summit, so come prepared. The road has quite the backstory. Until 1980, this was literally a mule track. When it finally got paved, Mother Nature had other ideas—winter snow and neglect trashed it so badly it became nearly impassable. Enter the Tour de France organizers in 2006, who resurfaced the entire route while scouting new Pyrenean stages. Talk about a dramatic makeover. This 25.3km (15.72-mile) route climbs from Bourg-d'Oueil in the south to Mauléon-Barousse in the north, with maximum gradients hitting a punishing 13.3%. Both the Tour and Vuelta have tackled this beast. Winter? Forget about it—snow closures are the norm for extended periods. But when conditions allow, you'll reach a spectacular broad summit with jaw-dropping 360-degree views of snow-capped Spanish peaks. Absolutely worth the white-knuckle drive.

Can you drive through Pillerhöhe in Austria?hard

Can you drive through Pillerhöhe in Austria?

🇦🇹 Austria

Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Let's talk about the Pillerhöhe, a mountain pass that'll take your breath away (literally and figuratively!). You'll find this gem nestled in the Austrian Tyrol, chilling at a cool 1,573m (5,160ft) above sea level. Yep, you can totally drive it! The Piller Landesstraße is all paved, winding through a gorgeous, natural park-esque landscape. But don't get too comfy! This road, squirreled away in western Austria, isn’t for the faint of heart. It gets pretty narrow and seriously steep, with gradients hitting a wild 19.1% in places. Hold on tight! The whole shebang stretches for 23.5 km (14.60 miles), connecting Fließ (near Landeck) to Arzl im Pitztal (near Imst). And pro tip: just south of the peak, make a pit stop at the "Gacher Blick" viewpoint. Trust me, the views of the Inn Valley are totally worth it!

Where is Mont Ventoux?extreme

Where is Mont Ventoux?

🇫🇷 France

Mont Ventoux! Situated in France's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, this iconic peak soars to 1,912m (6,273ft). The road to the top, D974, is an amazing drive tucked inside the Mont Ventoux Natural Regional Park. Leaving from Bédoin, the 21.4 km (13.29 miles) route takes you through incredible scenery. The road opened in 1900! After the Chalet Reynard ski station, it gets a little steeper. The last 6 km wind through a treeless, lunar-like landscape. Nicknamed the "Giant of Provence" or "The Bald Mountain", it's notorious for its crazy winds. They can hit speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph)! In fact, winds over 90 km/h (56 mph) are common over 240 days a year! The road is usually open from mid-April to mid-November, but weather can close it anytime. Expect strong winds, especially near the summit. This climb is tough, with exposed conditions, heat, and wind! It's considered one of France's most challenging. It takes most people 30-45 minutes to drive straight up, but you'll probably want to stop and take some photos of the incredible views. The view stretches for miles, and on a clear day, you can see the Mediterranean and even Mont Blanc! Be warned though, this is a popular spot and can be very crowded. Starting in Bédoin, the climb is 21.4 km long, with a whopping 1,639 meters of elevation gain and average gradient of 7.6%. Some ramps hit nearly 13%!

A Fantastic Road to Col des Saisies, with Great Views of Mont Blancmoderate

A Fantastic Road to Col des Saisies, with Great Views of Mont Blanc

🇫🇷 France

# Col des Saisies Tucked away in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Col des Saisies sits pretty at 1,657m (5,436ft) and serves as one of the crown jewels along the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes. Located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, this pass has earned serious cycling credentials through its frequent appearances in the Tour de France. The fully paved D218B road climbs for 26.8 km (16.65 miles) from Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe to Villard-sur-Doron, and let me tell you—it doesn't take it easy. You'll tackle sections with gradients hitting 11.4%, so your legs will definitely feel this one. Fair warning though: the summit experience is a bit of an anticlimactic moment. Unlike some of the Alps' more dramatic peaks, you don't get that jaw-dropping summit view. Instead, the road just gently flattens out as it passes through what feels like a sleepy ski resort, which can feel a little underwhelming after all that climbing. The pass stays open year-round most of the time, though Mother Nature has the final say—snow closures can happen anytime during winter months, so check conditions before you head up. Ready to add this Alpine challenge to your bucket list?