Where is Collada de Montaner?
Spain, europe
5.9 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Collada de Montaner is a total hidden gem in the Pyrenees, straddling the border between Spain and Andorra. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks; it's an off-roader's dream (or maybe nightmare, depending on your skill level). You're basically connecting the teeny-tiny Spanish enclave of Os de Civís with La Massana in Andorra.
So, picture this: you're crawling along 5.9 kilometers (3.6 miles) of pure, unadulterated off-road bliss… or terror. We're talking natural earth and loose shale under your tires, the kind that turns into a mud pit with the slightest hint of rain. And trust me, mountain weather is *unpredictable.* You'll need a high-clearance 4x4, no question. Forget your fancy sports car.
The numbers don't lie: you're gaining 571 meters of elevation. That's an average gradient of almost 10%, with sections that are *way* steeper. Get ready for ten seriously tight hairpin turns that'll test your steering and throttle control. And did I mention the views? Absolutely stunning. Just try not to focus on the fact that there are very few barriers between you and a seriously steep drop-off.
Oh, and one more thing: good luck trying this anytime from October to June. This place is usually buried under snow. Even in summer, be prepared for sudden storms. It's an intense drive, so be honest with yourself about your skills. If you're not comfortable with tough mountain tracks, maybe skip this one and stick to the pavement. But if you're up for the challenge, Collada de Montaner is an experience you won't soon forget.
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 5.9 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
hardTravel guide to the top of Col de la Ricelle
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Col de la Ricelle in the Hautes-Alpes of France is calling your name. This isn't your average Sunday drive; we're talking a legit mountain pass topping out at 2,366 meters (that's 7,762 feet!). Forget smooth tarmac – the route is a gravelly, rocky rollercoaster that'll test your off-road skills. Think tippy, bumpy, and definitely requiring a 4x4. This baby's usually snowed in from October to June, so plan your trip accordingly. Definitely not for the faint of heart (or those scared of heights!), this trail is steep and demanding. But the views? Absolutely insane! You'll be driving through the Massif des Cerces range, and the scenery is worth every white-knuckle moment. Just make sure you're comfortable navigating unpaved mountain roads before you attempt this beast. Trust me, this isn’t one to try unless you're an experienced off-roader!
hardThe abandoned Tunnel du Mortier in France
🇫🇷 France
# Tunnel du Mortier: France's Haunting Mountain Passage Tucked away in the Isère department of southeastern France, the Tunnel du Mortier sits at a dramatic 1,370 meters (4,494 feet) in the heart of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This quirky piece of mountain infrastructure has quite the backstory. Originally built back in 1911, the tunnel got a major makeover in 1968 for the Grenoble Winter Olympics. A plaque at the north entrance commemorates the upgrade, which was officially inaugurated on September 30th by Louis Verger. But here's where things get interesting: the road didn't last much longer. In April 1992, a massive rockfall—roughly 20,000 cubic meters of rock—came crashing down just below the summit of the Buffe, destroying the access road and making the whole situation dangerously unstable. The kicker? This happened just a kilometer from another epic collapse in 1971 (50,000 cubic meters). Given the road's limited importance and the ongoing threat of more slides, authorities threw in the towel and closed it for good. These days, the two-lane tunnel (all 500 meters of it) sees hikers and mountain bikers instead of cars. The first 100 meters are straightforward, but the middle section gets seriously dark—bring a light. The smooth interior is blessedly obstacle-free, though you'll spot a few rocks toward the Isère end where daylight returns. The approach road, D218, is paved but narrow with brutal gradients hitting 12% on some sections. The southeastern side is still drivable up to the tunnel, but the northwestern side has completely collapsed. Beyond the tunnel, a massive rockslide blocks any further progress, though adventurous souls with proper caution can cross it to descend into the Vercors. A forest track was briefly developed in 2017, but a landslide during winter 2021-2022 shut that down too. Mother Nature clearly has the final say here.
hardThe scary road to Devil’s Throat Cave, an entrance to the underworld, through Trigrad Gorge
🌍 Bulgaria
# The Trigrad Gorge Road: Bulgaria's Most Dramatic Drive Tucked away in the Rhodope Mountains of southern Bulgaria, near the Greek border and just north of the village of Trigrad, lies one of the most spectacular—and nerve-wracking—drives you'll ever attempt. Welcome to the road through Trigrad Gorge, your gateway to the legendary Devil's Throat Cave. Picture this: a narrow, paved ribbon of asphalt snaking through a narrow canyon, with 250-meter-high marble walls towering on both sides like nature's own cathedral. The Trigrad River runs parallel to the road, disappearing mysteriously into Devil's Throat Cave before re-emerging 530 meters downstream as a massive karst spring. The gorge itself is a geological masterpiece, with vertical walls rising over a hundred meters high and an opening so tight (just 20-30 meters wide) that the sky feels like a distant stripe above. At roughly 10.6 km long, this road climbs and winds through the rocks from Teshel to Trigrad, occasionally ducking into tunnels carved directly into the mountainside. The drive takes most people 20-30 minutes if you don't stop—though you'll want to. Here's the catch: the road is so narrow that cars traveling in opposite directions physically cannot pass each other. This isn't a feature; it's definitely a challenge requiring serious focus and patience from every driver. The reward? Devil's Throat Cave, with its dramatic 42-meter underground waterfall, legendary connections to Orpheus's journey to the Underworld, and some of Bulgaria's most stunning natural scenery. Sitting at about 1,200 meters elevation, the gorge stays pleasantly cool even in summer. Winter visits are possible too, though snow can occasionally make an appearance. Peak season hits in July and August, but this remarkable drive is accessible year-round.
moderateTransfagarasan is a thrilling road through Dracula's territory
🇷🇴 Romania
# Transfăgărășan: Romania's Most Thrilling Mountain Drive Ready for one of the wildest road trips on the planet? The Transfăgărășan—officially DN7C—is a 90km (56-mile) adrenaline-pumping masterpiece snaking through Romania's Southern Carpathians. This isn't just any mountain road; it's an 80-hairpin-turn, five-tunnel roller coaster that'll have your heart racing and your hands gripping the wheel. ## What Makes It So Intense? The real drama unfolds in those pitch-black tunnels (the longest stretches a mind-bending 800+ meters), combined with relentless twists, steep hairpin curves, and sharp descents. You'll navigate over 500 bridges while taking in some seriously rugged, jaw-dropping mountain scenery. The northern route is especially spectacular. Fair warning: you'll be crawling along at about 40 km/h average, so pace yourself. ## Exploring Along the Way You can actually stop and explore! Bâlea Lake and Bâlea Waterfall are stunning breaks from the driving intensity. Hungry? Several hotels and chalets dot the route, though they're pricey. Budget travelers will find plenty of villages and towns on either side offering affordable beds and campsites. History buffs shouldn't miss Poienari Fortress near Arefu—Vlad the Impaler's former home and the inspiration for Dracula. It's got a parking area and a trail up to the ruins if you're feeling adventurous. ## The Summit Experience You'll peak out at 2,042m (6,699ft) at Pasul Bâlea, where there's an alpine lake, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Fair warning: large sections have zero barriers with drops over 1,000 feet, so definitely pay attention. ## When to Go This road is only truly drivable mid-June through mid-September. Snow blankets it from late October through June, and it's occasionally closed even in summer (yes, August snowfall happens). Always check the weather before heading out—it takes conditions seriously. The road's become a favorite for car commercials and action films (Nicolas Cage even filmed Ghost Rider here!), proving that sometimes the best drives really do belong in the movies.