Why is Desfiladero de La Hermida famous?
Spain, europe
27.7 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the N-621, the road that slices right through the Desfiladero de La Hermida gorge in northern Spain. We're talking Cantabria and Asturias, stunning north coast scenery!
This isn't just any drive; it's a 27.7 km (17.21 miles) rollercoaster of a road that winds its way from Potes (Cantabria) to Panes (Asturias). Think about dramatic vertical walls, a valley carved by the Deva River, and roughly 175 turns. Yeah, buckle up if you get carsick easily!
Back in the day, before cars were even a thing, this gorge was THE route for moving wood and food. The first proper road popped up in 1863, thanks to some investment to help with mineral transport.
Don't forget to schedule in a pit stop at Nuestra Señora de Lebeña to check out the Mozarabic church. And Potes? A charming village nestled against the backdrop of seriously jagged mountains. This drive is all about the views!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 27.7 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardDare to Drive the Challenging Col de Spandelles
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Spandelles Nestled in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of southwestern France, Col de Spandelles sits at a pretty impressive 1,378m (4,520ft) and offers a scenic mountain experience just west of Argelès-Gazost in the Occitania region. This 17.2 km (10.68 miles) route runs north-south between Ferrières and Aucun, and honestly, it's a mixed bag depending on which direction you're heading. Coming up from the north on Route du Col de Spandelles? You'll be on pavement the whole way, though fair warning—it's seen better days. Expect potholes and some seriously tight squeezes that'll have you white-knuckling the wheel. The southern approach is where things get real. Beyond Refuge du Haugarou, you're trading asphalt for gravel, and the road gets genuinely narrow and steep. It's the kind of drive that demands respect and careful navigation, but rewards you with authentic mountain scenery and that real sense of adventure. Perfect if you're looking for something with a bit of character and don't mind a rougher ride.
extremeWhere is Stausee Mattmark?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Alright adventurers, buckle up for a trip to Mattmark See, a stunning alpine reservoir tucked away in southern Switzerland, near the Italian border. The road is a dream – perfectly paved and smooth as butter from start to finish! The climb itself is about 10 km long, starting around 2,100 meters and rising over 600 meters, making for an average gradient of around 6%. Don't let that fool you though, the final few kilometers are where the fun really begins, ramping up to a challenging 12% as the dam looms into view. Just imagine, a straight, steep shot right at the base of a glacier! Seriously epic scenery. While the road is in great shape, keep an eye out for cyclists, and be aware that mountain weather can change rapidly. Pack accordingly and get ready for breathtaking views!
moderateHow Often Does the Causeway Flood?
🇬🇧 England
Ever heard of a road that vanishes twice a day? Head to Osea Island in the Blackwater estuary of Essex, East England, and you'll find one! This isn't your typical commute; it's an unpaved causeway, Osea Road, that's only accessible for about four hours during low tide. This quirky road, believed to have Roman origins, is only a couple hours from London, but feels like a world away. Imagine driving across to a privately owned island, surrounded by the sea, and teeming with wildlife. Word to the wise: check the tide times before you go! This road floods, so timing is everything. Forget relying on your GPS entirely, it might lead you astray. Once the tide rolls in, you're stranded (in a good way!) until the next low tide, unless you have a boat. Osea Island: Essex's best-kept secret, accessible by a disappearing road!
extremeFacing the Climb of Gavia Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
Get ready for Passo di Gavia, an epic mountain pass straddling Sondrio and Brescia in Lombardy, Italy! This is one of Italy's highest roads, peaking at a whopping 2,627m (8,618ft). The SP29 winds for nearly 45 km (28 miles) from Ponte di Legno to Bormio. Trust me, this climb is a beast. Think serious gradients that regularly push past 7%, often spiking to 10%, and switchbacks galore. Small parking spots are carved out of the mountain so you can pull over. Located in northern Italy, Gavia is seriously gorgeous, dividing Sondrio and Brescia. The road is usually in great condition, and while you won't see tons of cars, watch out for the motorcycles! If you're heading up, pack layers, even in summer, as it can get chilly near the glacier-covered summit. The views? Stunning. The descent towards Santa Caterina Valfurva and Bormio is worth every drop of sweat from the climb. And yeah, you might even see snow in the summer months! The road closes on the south side during winter, but the north stays somewhat open thanks to the Bormio ski resort. At the top, check out the super scenic Lago Bianco with Corno dei Tre Signori towering above. Don't miss Lago Nero just below the pass on the south side, either! This road is no joke. Prepare for tight curves, hairpin turns, and some seriously steep sections. Oh, and in many spots, there are no guardrails between you and a long, long way down. Just before the summit, you'll cross a bridge over the Rezzalasco. Not far after, you will find the alpine lodge "Berni". Then you're near the summit, on the south side is *that* tunnel. About 3 km from the top, you will find this dark, steep, gravel-lined tunnel. Thankfully, it's paved now, with reflectors to guide you. The northern side? It's been showing its age, especially the higher sections. Watch out for the tunnel police – they love to catch motorcyclists speeding through the 30 km/h zone. For cyclists, the climb from Bormio is about 25.6 km with an average gradient of 5.5%. If you're coming from Ponte di Legno, it's a shorter 17.3 km, but with a steeper 7.9% average gradient (and maxing out at 16%!). On the south side, there's this stretch so narrow that cars can barely pass each other, making it…intense. Some of the hairpin bends on the south side are so tight that larger motorcycles might have to do a little maneuvering to get through. And remember, no guardrails in many places, so focus! At the summit, you'll find a simple restaurant with cheap lodging. If you're coming from the south, look to your right and you might catch a glimpse of an ancient Roman road about 50 meters from the modern route.