Where is Laguna Negra de Urbión?
Spain, europe
9.5 km
1,731 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in north-central Spain, driving towards the legendary Laguna Negra de Urbión. This glacial lake sits way up high at 1,731 meters (that's 5,679 feet!). The drive itself is a gem, kicking off from the SO-830 and winding for about 9.5 kilometers (5.9 miles) into the Picos de Urbión mountains.
Be warned, though – the road is paved, but it's a bit of a goat track: narrow and seriously steep in sections. You'll be gaining 502 meters in altitude, averaging a 5.28% gradient, but hitting peaks of 13% in places!
Keep an eye on the weather, too, because the road to Laguna Negra de Vinuesa (as it's also known) can shut down quick due to snow and ice. And get this: the last 1.5 km (0.93 miles) are pedestrian-only during busy times, so you might need to park at Paso de la Serrá and stretch your legs for a bit.
But trust me, the views are worth it! Think dramatic granite cliffs, lush pine forests, and a landscape carved by glaciers. You’ll see the Black, Frozen, and Long lagoons. And the Black Lagoon itself? It’s steeped in legend, inspiring spooky stories and even poetry! Plus, the whole area is oozing with culture, from the local architecture to the food. Oh, and about those legends? Some say the Black Lagoon is bottomless and haunted. The truth is, it's only about 12 meters deep, and any "creatures" are just local myths!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 9.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,731 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Alto del 14%?
🇪🇸 Spain
Alright, thrill-seekers, listen up! Have you heard of Alto del 14%? This insane mountain pass sits 570 meters (1,870 ft) above sea level in Spain's Cordoba province. And trust me, that name is a *total* understatement! You'll find this beauty nestled in Andalusia, that sunny region in southern Spain, specifically inside Los Villares Park. So why the odd name? Well, it doesn't have an official one! Locals call it "Alto del 14%" because of a roadside sign warning of those crazy steep gradients—and believe me, they're not kidding! The road, officially known as CO-3408, stretches for about 13.5 km (8.38 miles) from Córdoba up to Cerro Muriano. The pavement's in good shape, but don't let that fool you. This climb is a BEAST! Prepare for sections hitting a ridiculous 16.3% incline, with an average of 5.6% overall. No wonder the big trucks are banned! Even the Vuelta, Spain's famous bike race, has taken on this beast. Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery, and an even more serious workout for your car (or your legs!).
moderateDriving Through the Curvy SP11 Road in Trentino
🇮🇹 Italy
# Strada Provinziale 11 (SP11): A Mountain Gem in Trentino Looking for a thrilling mountain drive in northern Italy? The SP11 in Trentino is a short but seriously fun 10.5km (6.52 miles) stretch that'll get your adrenaline pumping and your camera ready. This fully paved road climbs from the charming spa town of Levico Terme (520m elevation) up to the picturesque Vetriolo Terme (1,381m elevation) – that's an elevation gain of 867 meters if you're keeping track. Fair warning: the climb is relentless, with an average gradient of 8.3% and a whopping 11 hairpin bends to navigate. These aren't gentle curves either; some sections get seriously steep, so you'll want to keep your wits about you. But here's the payoff – the views are absolutely spectacular. As you wind your way up the mountainside, you're treated to breathtaking panoramas of the valley below. There's even a scenic lookout with a little parking area where you can pull over, catch your breath, and soak in the scenery. At the top, you'll arrive in Vetriolo Terme, a verdant oasis famous for its unique arsenical-ferruginous thermal springs. The spas here have earned international recognition, making it the perfect place to reward yourself after conquering this exhilarating drive. If you love mountain roads that combine challenging driving with stunning Alpine scenery, SP11 absolutely belongs on your bucket list.
hardDriving the military road to Frejus Pass in the Cottian Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Col du Fréjus: A High-Alpine Adventure Perched at 2,546 meters (8,353 feet) on the Franco-Italian border, Col du Fréjus is one of those legendary Alpine passes that feels like stepping back in time. Also known as Passo del Frejus, this mountain crossing connects Italy's Piedmont region with France's Savoie department, and trust me—it's absolutely worth the trek. At the summit, you'll find a charming little lake called Petit lac du Frejus, a stone cross, and stunning 360-degree views that make your heart skip a beat. What really makes this place special is its incredible history. The road was carved out in the 1890s under the direction of French Général-Baron Berge, and the landscape is dotted with remnants of its past—abandoned military barracks, old forts, and weathered fortifications scattered throughout. You'll even spot historical plaques marking skirmishes from June 1940 when Italian and French troops clashed here during World War II. Here's the catch: the French approach is seriously no-joke territory. Starting from Le Seuil, it's an 8.4-kilometer beast with a brutal 30% gradient on the steepest sections. Over that distance, you'll climb 873 meters with an average gradient of 10.39%—basically, it's relentless. The unpaved road sits high on the western edge of the Massif du Mont Cenis in the Cottian Alps, and while the surface isn't terrible, it can get slippery. Fair warning: the French side is closed to private vehicles and requires a 4x4 anyway. The Italian side? That's purely hiking territory with a steep trail only. Since 1980, when the 13-kilometer Fréjus Road Tunnel opened, most traffic bypassed the pass entirely—which honestly makes it feel even more like a hidden gem for adventurous explorers.
moderateIs the road from Agia Effimia to Karavomylos paved?
🇬🇷 Greece
Cruising the east coast of Kefalonia, the drive from Agia Effimia to Karavomylos is pure Greek magic! This paved beauty hugs the coastline for just under 4 miles, running north to south and linking those two sweet spots. Give yourself 10-20 minutes to soak it all in, though you'll probably want to stop every few feet! Be warned, this road gets *super* popular in the summer months. What makes it so special? Picture this: sparkling Ionian Sea views, dozens of tiny beaches with those classic Greek pebbles and layered rocks. The road literally feels like it's about to plunge into the water at times, with some serious drop-offs (and not a lot of guardrails!). You can even still see evidence of the massive earthquakes of 1953 that raised the entire island nearly two feet! Seriously, this road is gorgeous…and just a little bit wild.