The road to Alto de Despiernacaballos, a hidden gem
Spain, europe
11.6 km
1,580 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the heart of Andalusia, Spain, nestled within the stunning Sierra de Segura mountains, lies Alto de Despiernacaballos. This mountain pass climbs to a cool 1,580m (5,183ft) offering views that'll have you reaching for your camera!
The road, snaking through the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, is paved but be warned: it's narrow and steep in places. This route, only fully paved since 2012, is a sweet 11.6 km (7.20 miles) jaunt from La Toba up to Santiago de la Espada.
But here's the kicker: this isn't just a scenic drive, it's a workout! Expect an average gradient of 5.8%, with some sections throwing a brutal 21.8% incline your way. Keep an eye on the weather, especially in winter. Snow can make things tricky, and the road might be closed temporarily. Rockfalls and landslides are also a possibility after heavy rains. But those incredible views? Totally worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 11.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,580 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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