Where is Hoya del Portillo parking lot?
Spain, europe
9.1 km
2,151 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in southern Spain, ready for an adventure in the Sierra Nevada. Your destination? The Hoya del Portillo parking lot, perched at a cool 2,151 meters (that's over 7,000 feet!). This is the highest point you can legally drive to in the whole Sierra Nevada range – a badge of honor for your ride!
Getting there is half the fun. Starting from Capileira, you've got about 9.1 kilometers (just under 6 miles) of twisty, mostly unpaved road ahead. It’s called Puerto Molina. Expect a few initial kilometers of so-so asphalt, but then it's all about the dirt and the views. Don't worry, you can tackle it in pretty much any car, just watch out for the potholes! You'll be climbing, too – gaining 670 meters in elevation, with an average gradient of around 7.3%.
This parking lot isn’t just a place to leave your car. It’s the gateway to some seriously stunning hiking. Beyond this point, it's strictly for hikers and bikers (and the occasional authorized vehicle). The trail, Camino de los Franceses, takes you up to Refugio Poqueira, winding through epic mountain passes.
Word of warning: this spot is popular! Especially during peak season, the parking lot fills up fast, so get there early to snag a space. And keep in mind, nestled high in the mountains like it is, the road is usually closed in winter. Snow can block access well before you even reach the parking area. But trust me, if you catch it at the right time, this drive (and the hike beyond) is an unforgettable experience.
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 9.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,151 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere Is the Terskol Ice Base?
🌍 Russia
Okay, picture this: you're in southern Russia, near the Georgian border, surrounded by the stunning Caucasus Mountains. You're aiming for the abandoned Terskol Ice Base, a relic from 1938 perched way up high at 3,675m (that's over 12,000 feet!). This isn't your average Sunday drive. Starting in Terskol at 2,166m, you've got a rough and rugged 11.9 km ahead. Get ready for a serious climb – we're talking an average gradient of 12.68%, with some spots cranking up to 18%! That's an elevation gain of 1,509 meters! Forget pavement. This is an all-dirt, 4x4-only affair. And you can pretty much write off attempting this beast from September to July – it's impassable. Trust me, you'll want high clearance and some serious off-road experience. Even then, bring a buddy (or three) because losing the track is easy. Maybe even find a local guide – it's worth it. Along the way, you'll find memorials to WWII soldiers and abandoned buildings, with breathtaking waterfalls to keep you company. The views are incredible, but stay focused! This road is steep and unforgiving, but if you're up for the challenge, the bragging rights (and the photos) will be epic.
hardIs Monte Cesen worth the drive?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Let's talk Monte Cesen, a beast of a peak in Italy's Treviso province. Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! Perched way up high in the Veneto region, this summit rocks a weather station and a memorial. Plus, you can grab a bite and even crash at Malga Mariech. Score! Now, the road... it's paved, but hold on tight. We're talking narrow, steep, the kind where you might have to play chicken with oncoming traffic. Starting in Valdobbiadene, you've got a sweet 18.1 km (11.24 miles) climb ahead of you. Get ready for a serious workout for your car. We're talking a whopping 1.250 meters of elevation gain at an average gradient of 6.9%, with sections hitting 11-12% around those hairpin turns. The views? Totally worth it! Just take it slow and enjoy the ride.
hardThe road to Cakor Pass was built 100 years ago
🌍 Montenegro
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in the Prokletije Mountains, straddling Montenegro and Kosovo, lies the Čakorpass, a seriously epic route hitting a lofty 1,844m (6,049ft). Locally known as Prevoj Čakor or Qafa e Çakorrit, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Originally opened way back in 1925, this pass connects the Plav area of Montenegro with Peja/Peć in Kosovo. History buffs might dig that! Word on the street is they're planning a tunnel to bypass it, but for now, it's raw and real. Heads up: the border crossing has been closed since the Kosovo War, marked by a tank barrier (yep, a real tank!). The whole route stretches about 37.3km (23.17 miles) from Murino in Montenegro to Kuqishtë in Kosovo. The Montenegrin side (the M9) is mostly paved, so any car can *technically* tackle it, but be warned: it gets crazy narrow and steep, with gradients maxing out at a butt-clenching 18%! However, once you cross (or *would* cross) into Kosovo, the pavement vanishes. You'll need a 4x4 for that part. Sadly, you won't be able to drive all the way through to the other side. It's still worth it for the views, right?
hardA wild unpaved road to Palet
🇫🇷 France
Palet is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.749m (9,019ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. one of the highest mountain roads of the country. The road to the summit, located within the Vanoise National Park, is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times. It’s a chairlift access trail. The slope is very steep, consists of loose stones and becomes even steeper and rocky in the upper part. This trail can be done only a very narrow time-frame in the summer (end of August). The wind is usually quite strong at mountain areas. High winds blow here all year long. Even in summer you can confront with snowy days. Temperatures here in the winter are brutally cold. The road to the summit is a ski-station service road pretty steep, with some sections up to 30%. Pla de la Calma-Mollera dels Clots 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.