Where is La Covatilla?
Spain, europe
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moderate
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about La Covatilla, a beast of a climb nestled in the southern reaches of the Salamanca Province! This peak, sitting high in the Sistema Central Mountains near the border with Extremadura, is not for the faint of heart. Think windblown, almost lunar landscapes at the top – seriously exposed, folks! You'll find the Sierra de Béjar La Covatilla ski station up there, accessible via a gravel service road near the chairlift.
The good news? The main road, DSA-191, is paved and generally in good shape. This beauty stretches for roughly 12 km, packing in a serious 700 meters of elevation gain. That means an average gradient of around 6%, but be prepared for some steep sections hitting 10%! Despite being high up in the mountains, the road's usually kept open year-round to serve the ski resort, so even in winter, you can (probably) reach the top.
Related Roads in europe
moderateTake the Scenic A939 Road and Discover Lecht Pass in Scotland
🇬🇧 Scotland
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Scottish Highlands, right on the border of Aberdeenshire and Moray. You're on the Lecht Pass, one of the highest roads in the country, topping out at 646 meters (2,119 feet). This isn't just any road trip; you're rolling on a ribbon of asphalt, a completely paved road called the A939 (or Lecht Road, or Old Military Road if you're feeling historical). Speaking of history, this road has a story. It was built after the Jacobite uprising in 1745, a military road masterminded by William Caulfield. Today, it's a 16.25-kilometer (10.1-mile) stretch from Corgarff to Tomintoul, packed with steep climbs, hairpin turns, and a max gradient of 13% that'll get your engine revving. Now, a word of warning: this area is known for being seriously snowy. Set in the Grampian Mountains, this road is often the first in Great Britain to close due to snowfall. So, while it's usually open year-round, winter can throw a curveball. But hey, that's part of the adventure! And the views? Absolutely stunning!
moderateAn Old Military Road to Colle di Costa Piana
🇮🇹 Italy
Colle di Costa Piana is a high mountain pass sitting pretty at 2,313 meters (7,588 feet) in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy. Nestled in Piedmont in the northern Alps, this gem is part of the legendary Assietta Road (Strada Provinciale 173), the scenic route that winds between Susa and Sestriere. Fair warning: this isn't your typical paved highway. The entire route up is unpaved gravel, following an old military ridge road from Pian dell'Alpe to Sestriere. It's rough and rocky—especially around the curves—but totally doable if you take it slow. And you'll need to: there's a strict 30 km/h speed limit enforced here, plus no overtaking or parking outside designated spots. Plan your visit wisely though. This mountain pass is only open during the warmer months, from June 1st through October 31st, so summer is your window to experience this wild Alpine drive. The views? Absolutely worth the bumpy ride.
hardWhat’s the history of Alan Pass?
🇭🇷 Croatia
Cruising through Lika-Senj County, Croatia? You absolutely HAVE to experience Veliki Alan pass! Nestled in the Velebit mountains, overlooking the Adriatic Sea, this road clocks in at 25.7 km (15.96 miles) of pure adrenaline. Okay, let’s be real – this isn’t your average Sunday drive. We’re talking a seriously narrow, mostly paved road with some pretty intense drop-offs. This is the highest point of the road, reaching 1,414m (4,639ft)! The pass has a crazy history, too! It's been used for thousands of years, even by the Romans! Then it was critical for trade, and timber transport... Even crazier, the road was built under terrible conditions by political prisoners. Heads up: this road isn't maintained in winter, and is generally open from June until the first snow. Just because the lower slopes look clear doesn’t mean you're in the clear either – huge drifts can build up. Important safety tip: stick to the road! This area saw some heavy fighting, and there are still minefield warning signs posted. Better safe than sorry, right? The payoff? Jaw-dropping views! The road winds mostly through the forest, but the summit is something else. Mountain huts dot the top, along with a monument honoring the Partisans who defended Velebit. And the panorama? Think endless sea, dotted with islands – absolutely unforgettable!
moderateWhere is Port de Pailhères?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: Port de Pailhères, a super-scenic mountain pass chilling way up in the French Pyrenees in the Ariège department. We're talking Occitanie region, southwestern France. The summit's got a parking lot, so you can actually stop and soak it all in. The road, known as D25, is completely paved, but be warned, it gets pretty narrow. The higher you climb, the more exposed you feel – and the views just keep getting better. It's one of only two paved passes in the French Pyrenees that breaks the 2,000m mark! Give yourself about 35-50 minutes to conquer this 26km (16.15 mile) stretch from Ax-les-Thermes to Mijanès. It's a seriously steep climb, with gradients hitting almost 16% near the top – no wonder the Tour de France riders tackle this one!