The Ultimate Guide to Driving to Mirador de la Retama

The Ultimate Guide to Driving to Mirador de la Retama

Spain, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Mirador de la Retama is an observation deck at an elevation of 

above the sea level, located in the western part of the island La Gomera, in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands, Spain.

The paved road to the viewpoint is the wonderful and spectacular GM-1. It’s the main road of the island between La Gomera's capital and the northern town of Hermiga. The road has a lot of twists and turns. Every curve on the road down to the sea reveals a new view of the valley. The road passes impressive cliff-faces and idyllic settlements. The scenery is breathtaking.

Nestled on the west side of the Valle Gran Rey (Valley of the Great King), the road is in very good condition and leads you amongst the rough coastline of the island taking you deep into its mountains. The road curves down into the valley, once well known for its seclusion.

Driving the stunning C-462 road to Coll de Port

The Ultimate Road Trip To Puerto del Pico in Avila

Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our

to discover the most spectacular roads of the world

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click

 to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Spain
Continent
europe
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in europe

Where is Venta del Chaleco?hard

Where is Venta del Chaleco?

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, picture this: you're in the heart of Andalusia, Southern Spain, ready to tackle the Venta del Chaleco. This mountain pass is your ticket to some seriously stunning views, tucked away in the sun-baked Granada province. Think white-washed villages clinging to hillsides, rugged terrain stretching as far as the eye can see, and you're getting close. This baby sits pretty in the Sierra Contraviesa range, a thermal sweet spot where the Mediterranean breeze meets the mountain air. Hello, panoramic views! We're talking the sparkling Med to the snowy peaks of Sierra Nevada's Mulhacén and Veleta. The road itself? Officially the GR-420, it's paved, but don't expect a smooth ride. It’s narrow with hairpin after hairpin, keeping you on your toes the whole way. The asphalt's generally in good nick, but watch out for crumbly edges where the weather's taken its toll. It’s a proper driver's road. From the Benínar Reservoir, you've got about 23km to the top. It’s a climb, that’s for sure. The average gradient is around 4%, but there are some steeper sections hitting 11%, especially as you leave the reservoir behind. That distance plus the insane amount of curves equals a slow but incredibly scenic cruise through vineyards and almond groves. The challenge here? It's all about those relentless twists and turns. Your brakes and gears are gonna get a workout! Summer heat can be intense, so make sure your ride's cooling system is up to the job. And even though it's a milder mountain range, winter can bring mists and even a touch of frost up at 1,300+ meters. This road is definitely for those who like their driving with a dash of "wild," well away from the usual tourist trails.

When was the road to Col de la Forclaz built?moderate

When was the road to Col de la Forclaz built?

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Col de la Forclaz is a seriously scenic mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,532m (5,026ft) in the Swiss Alps. We're talking Valais region, right near Martigny – so Switzerland at its finest. This road has some serious history, once used by mules and even smugglers heading between Switzerland and France. The road as we know it started taking shape in 1827, with a tunnel added later on. The Route de la Forclaz is totally paved and well-kept, making it a smooth ride. It's about 21.5 km (13.35 miles) long, winding from the French border all the way to Martigny-Combe in Switzerland. At the top, you'll find a hotel-restaurant that's been around since about 1830. Heads up – it can get pretty busy up there. This road is not for the faint of heart! It's a Tour de France favorite because it's steep, hitting gradients of up to 11.1% in places. But trust me, those short, sharp climbs are totally worth it for the views. Generally, you can drive the pass year-round. But keep an eye on the weather during winter. It can get dicey, and temporary closures are common. Snow chains or winter tires are usually a must-have during the colder months. Get ready for an epic drive!

Col de la Bichehard

Col de la Biche

🇫🇷 France

Okay, buckle up for Col de la Biche, a crazy-steep mountain pass in eastern France's Ain department! This baby hits an elevation of 1,310m (that's 4,297ft for my American friends). You'll be cruising the D123, a narrow ribbon of asphalt winding through the stunning Massif du Jura. Watch out, though, because some sections of this climb are seriously steep, reaching up to 13.6%! Even the Tour de France has tackled this beast. You've got three ways to conquer Col de la Biche: * **From Talissieu:** A 19.17 km climb with 1,070 meters of elevation gain, averaging 5.5%. * **From Artemare:** A slightly longer 20.5 km ascent, gaining 1,065 meters at an average of 5.2%. * **From Gigniez:** The shortest but perhaps most intense route, stretching 13.8 km with 958 meters of climbing and a 6.9% average grade. No matter which way you go, get ready for some breathtaking scenery and a serious workout for your legs (or your car's engine!).

Road Fv98moderate

Road Fv98

🇳🇴 Norway

# Road FV98: A Scenic Norwegian Coastal Gem If you're looking for one of those drives that'll have you constantly reaching for your camera, FV98 in Finnmark, Norway is absolutely it. This 123-kilometer stretch of perfectly paved asphalt hugs the coastline with absolutely stunning sea views that'll make your heart skip a beat. The road connects the charming village of Lakselv—sitting pretty at the southern edge of the massive Porsangerfjorden where the E6 passes through—all the way to Ifjord at the tip of Ifjorden. It's basically a scenic detour into a quieter corner of Norway that doesn't get nearly enough love from travelers. The best part? You can drive it year-round. Sure, winter weather might throw the occasional curveball and cause temporary closures when conditions get gnarly, but for the most part, this route is open and waiting for adventurous drivers ready to experience some genuine Norwegian coastal magic. Whether you're chasing the midnight sun in summer or hunting for northern lights in winter, FV98 delivers the goods.