Why is it called Picon Blanco?
Spain, europe
4.8 km
1,512 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in northern Spain, driving towards Picón Blanco – that's "White Peak" in English, named for its snowy winters. You'll find it chilling in the Cantabrian Mountains, right near the border with Cantabria.
This isn't just any mountain; it's crowned with the remains of an old military base, abandoned since '99. Spooky, right?
Now, there are two ways to tackle this beast. First, there's a proper paved road from Espinosa de los Monteros. It's only about 8 km long, but don't let that fool you. You're climbing 740 meters with an average gradient of 9.25%, with some sections spiking to over 20%! It's a leg-burner, even for pro cyclists – the Vuelta a Burgos and the Spanish Vuelta have both finished stages here.
Then, for the real adventurers, there's a rugged, 4.8 km unpaved track leading from the west, but seriously, you'll want a 4x4 for that one, and definitely not in winter.
Whichever route you choose, the views are gonna be epic, and the bragging rights even better! Just be prepared for a tough climb.
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 4.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,512 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremeStalheimskleiva
🇳🇴 Norway
# Stalheimskleiva: Norway's Jaw-Dropping Mountain Descent Okay, if you love dramatic driving experiences, Stalheimskleiva in Voss (western Norway) is absolutely not to be missed. This is seriously steep—we're talking 400 meters of elevation lost over just 1.5 kilometers, with grades hitting a wild 20 percent. Yeah, your brake fluid is going to get warm. The road winds down from the Stalheim Hotel through 13 insanely tight hairpin turns, threading its way into the Naerodal valley like some kind of automotive slalom course. And the scenery? Absolutely stunning. You've got the Stalheimsfossen and Sivlefossen waterfalls thundering down the valley walls on either side—it's the kind of view that makes you forget (temporarily) about how sketchy this road actually is. Here's the quirky part: this route dates back to 1846 and was actually the main highway connecting Oslo and Bergen. Can you imagine eighteenth-century travelers tackling this on horse-drawn carriages? They ditched it in 1980 when a modern tunnel opened up, but the old road lives on as a one-way tourist route that only operates downhill during summer months—probably a wise safety call. The hairpins are brutally tight with stone retaining walls, and you'll drive over a mix of original cobblestones and weathered asphalt that adds to the whole historical vibe. The views into the narrow valley are genuinely vertiginous. It's less a road and more a living piece of 19th-century engineering history—one that'll definitely get your adrenaline pumping.
hardCol Margherita
🇮🇹 Italy
# Col Margherita: A High-Alpine Adventure in the Dolomites Ready for an unforgettable mountain experience? Col Margherita sits pretty at 2,524m (8,280ft) on the border between Trentino-South Tyrol and Veneto, and it's arguably one of the Dolomites' most stunning viewpoints. Getting to the summit is definitely an adventure. The road is rough and rocky—basically a gravel trail that doubles as a ski-station service road. Thanks to its steep grades (we're talking 30% inclines in some spots), this route demands respect and careful driving. Loose stones and jagged rocks make up much of the track, especially as you climb higher, and the narrow window for tackling it safely means you're really only looking at late August for optimal conditions. The views? Absolutely worth it. At the top, you'll find a little bar waiting to welcome you, and the panoramas across the Bocche ridge—that dramatic ridge separating the San Pellegrino and Travignolo valleys—are genuinely breathtaking. But here's the reality check: this isn't a leisurely drive. Mother Nature rules here with fierce winds that howl year-round and weather that can change in a heartbeat. Pack layers, because temperatures swing wildly, and winter gets *brutally* cold. The exposure is real, and high winds are basically part of the deal at this elevation. If you're an experienced driver who loves mountain challenges and doesn't mind braving the elements, Col Margherita offers an exhilarating slice of alpine magic.
moderateAlp Curtginatsch
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Alp Curtginatsch: A Swiss Alpine Adventure Nestled in the heart of Graubünden's Hinterrhein district, Alp Curtginatsch is an absolute gem for mountain enthusiasts. This high alpine pass sits at a breezy 2,274 meters (7,460 feet), offering those incredible thin-air views that make the drive worthwhile. Here's the good news: the road is almost entirely paved, making it surprisingly accessible for a mountain pass of this caliber. The only catch? The final kilometer or so transitions to unpaved terrain, but don't let that discourage you—it's in great condition and totally manageable for most vehicles. Whether you're chasing that perfect alpine photography spot or just looking for an exhilarating drive through the Swiss mountains, Alp Curtginatsch delivers on both fronts. The journey up is rewarding, and the scenery? Absolutely breathtaking.
hardLes Marmotes: Driving the 25% Gradients of Vallter 2000
🇪🇸 Spain
# Les Marmotes: A Wild Ride to the Top of Catalonia Ready for one of Spain's most insane driving challenges? Les Marmotes sits at a jaw-dropping 2,502m (8,208ft) in the heart of the Pyrenees, nestled in Girona's Camprodon Valley. Getting there means tackling a gnarly service road that grinds through the Vallter 2000 ski resort—and trust us, this isn't your typical mountain pass. This brutally technical track snakes through the Ripollès region near the French border, climbing relentlessly to one of the highest hut bars in the entire Pyrenees. The payoff? Stunning panoramic views and a chance to literally stand at the source of the Ter River (Naixement del Río Ter) just meters from the summit. It's surreal. Here's the catch: this isn't actually a public road—it's a specialized maintenance track for the chairlift. That means it's technically off-limits to regular traffic and considered one of the country's toughest driving challenges. The ascent is relentless and technically demanding, so this is definitely one for experienced drivers only. Summer is your only window. Winter? Forget it. Even in warmer months, sudden thunderstorms and surprise snowfalls can slam the gates shut without warning. Plus, access can be restricted at any time since it's primarily used by resort maintenance vehicles. Always check local regulations before attempting this one—it's not a road you can just roll up and conquer on a whim.