Where is Peña Escrita?
Spain, europe
12.7 km
1,175 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up thrill-seekers, because Peña Escrita in Granada, Spain is not for the faint of heart! This mountain climb is straight-up TERRIBLE... in the best way possible for adrenaline junkies.
Tucked away in eastern Andalusia, reaching this 1,175m (3,854ft) peak is an adventure in itself. The road's fully paved (mostly), but don't expect a smooth ride. We're talking narrow, winding roads with hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. And get this – the summit once housed a remote zoo! Sadly, it's closed most of the year, but still worth the climb.
The road stretches for 12.7 km (7.89 miles) from the A-7, but those miles pack a PUNCH! You'll be climbing 1,301m with an average gradient of 10.24%. Oh, and did I mention some sections hit a staggering 27%? Seriously, this is known as the "southern beast" for a reason. The last couple kilometers offer some respite, but by then, you'll already be hooked. Plus, if you make it to the top you can even paraglide off it. Dreamy!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 12.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,175 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardIs Road 745 (Skagavegur) unpaved?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, picture this: Road 745, also known as Skagavegur, hugging the rugged coastline of Northwestern Iceland. This isn't your average highway, folks. We're talking seriously stunning scenery, with crazy rock formations you won't see anywhere else. Yeah, it's a gravel road the whole way, and you'll have to watch out for some rocks poking up, but it's usually in decent shape, so you don't *need* a 4x4. This epic coastal drive stretches for about 82 km, linking Route 744 (Þverárfjallsvegur) to the charming fishing town of Skagaströnd. Just a heads-up: be super careful when there's fog; it can get crazy thick out here. Also, this road is usually closed for most of the year, typically from early September until late June, so plan accordingly! But, seriously, is it worth it? Absolutely! You'll be winding along the Skagi peninsula with landscapes that will blow your mind. Keep an eye out for the incredible basalt columns near Kálfshamarsvík, some of the most spectacular in Iceland! And if you're feeling adventurous, detour to Skálar, an abandoned fishing village where a lone lighthouse still stands sentinel. Trust me, this is a road trip you won't forget.
extremePunta de Teno Lighthouse is the Fast and Furious 6 road
🇪🇸 Spain
# Faro de Punta de Teno: A Clifftop Drive You Won't Forget If you're looking for one of the most spectacular—and heart-pounding—drives in the Canary Islands, the road to Faro de Punta de Teno in Tenerife is absolutely it. Built between 1891 and 1893, this iconic lighthouse sits perched dramatically on the cliffs of Teno Natural Park, about 7km from Buenavista del Norte in the island's northwest. The lighthouse itself is a striking cylindrical tower painted in classic white and red stripes, standing proud next to its vintage predecessor. From up here, you get absolutely stunning views of Tenerife's north coast and the famous Los Gigantes cliffs to the west. It's genuinely one of the most beautiful spots on the island. Now, here's where it gets interesting. The road to get there—officially called TF-445, or Carretera del Faro de Punta de Teno locally—is fully paved but absolutely bonkers. We're talking 9.6km of pure adrenaline, winding through dramatic cliffs with several tunnels carved straight into the rock. The Fast and Furious 6 crew thought it was thrilling enough to film the opening scene here, so that tells you something. This isn't your typical scenic drive. The road is narrow—sometimes impassably so for two cars to pass—with steep sections and hairpin curves. You'll be driving mere centimeters from 500-meter cliff edges. It's vertigo-inducing and demands your full concentration. Rockfalls are a genuine hazard thanks to constant erosion, and the government actually closed the entire road in 2013 for two years of major reconstruction before reopening it in 2015. Here's the catch: this route is closed during wind or rain, and even when it's open, there are strict traffic restrictions during peak times to manage crowds. Summer hours run 9am-8pm, while the rest of the year it's 10am-7pm. Drive slowly, stay alert, and respect the warnings. It's an unforgettable experience, but only if you treat it with the respect it deserves.
hardDriving the curvy EN15 to Alto de Espinho
🇵🇹 Portugal
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through Northern Portugal, winding your way up the Serra do Marão mountains. You're on Estrada Nacional 15 (EN 15), the old road connecting Porto and Bragança, a totally epic route known as Alto de Espinho. This paved road stretches for 46.6 km (29 miles) between Amarante and Parada de Cunhos. You'll climb to a cool 1,025m (3,362ft) above sea level, so get ready for some views! Fair warning: this isn't a straight shot. Expect countless turns, some pretty narrow stretches, and some seriously steep climbs - we're talking gradients of up to 9.2%! Though it's a pretty quiet road, keep an eye out for cyclists, especially on weekends. This pass has even been featured in the Vuelta a Portugal cycling race, with stages finishing atop Monte Farinha. History buffs will dig that this road used to be *the* main route, but a new road (IP4) and the A4 expressway (with the Túnel do Marão) now handle most of the traffic. So get ready for an adventure!
moderateThe breathtaking drive from Shanovo to Kolena
🌍 Bulgaria
Okay, buckle up, road trippers! This hidden gem winds through the heart of Bulgaria's Thrace region, specifically Stara Zagora Province. We're talking about the mountain road linking Shanovo to Kolena, nestled in the Balkan range north of Stara Zagora. The pavement's there, but let's be real, it's seen better days thanks to some seriously rough weather. It's a 12.7km (or almost 8 miles) stretch running north to south. Get ready for some climbing! You'll hit a peak elevation of 518 meters (around 1700 feet). Some sections get pretty steep, with gradients reaching up to 8%. But hey, the views are worth it! Just keep your eyes peeled – this isn't a Sunday drive!