August · Mixed
Punishing heat inland and heavy holiday traffic on the coast. The Picos and the Pyrenean foothills are the sensible answer.
Verdict
Mixed
Where to base
Ronda, Cangas de Onis or Palma
Roads in the Atlas
12
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Seasonal notes are reviewed against published closure dates and reopened each spring. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 25 March 2026
Context
Empty tarmac, cheap fuel and a climate that lets you drive in February. The Picos, the Sierras and the Balearic mountain roads carry the country.
Roads
Mallorca, Spain
A driver's icon that loops through a knotted 270 degree hairpin down to the cove.
7.5 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10
Mallorca, Spain
Mallorca's spine road strings together sea cliffs, terraces and mountain villages.
46.6 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10
Asturias, Spain
Hairpins climb from the Covadonga basilica into limestone peaks above two glacial lakes.
14.9 mi · Rating 9.4 / 10
Often closed to private cars in summer, access by shuttle bus
Tenerife, Canary Islands
Volcanic moonscape unfolds as the road spirals up past pine forest into Teide's caldera.
28 mi · Rating 9.4 / 10
Occasional snow closures at the highest points
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Ridge top curves reveal the volcanic finger of Roque Nublo above pine covered barrancos.
13.7 mi · Rating 9.2 / 10
Castilla y Leon, Spain
A ribbon of tarmac threading beech forests beneath the jagged western Picos de Europa.
18.6 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10
Snow possible November to April at the summit
Andalusia, Spain
Whitewashed villages and vulture cliffs frame this twisting run over the Palomas pass.
18.6 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10
Puerto de las Palomas can see rare snow in winter
Asturias, Spain
Tight switchbacks climb past bear country lookouts to a windswept pass over 1400 metres.
15.5 mi · Rating 9 / 10
Frequent snow closures in winter
Aragon Pyrenees, Spain
A long alpine valley run past reservoirs and ski towns to the French border ridge.
28 mi · Rating 9 / 10
Portalet summit closes in heavy snow
La Palma, Canary Islands
A ridge road along the volcanic spine of La Palma with views to both Atlantic coasts.
17.4 mi · Rating 9 / 10
Affected periodically by volcanic activity closures
Aragon Pyrenees, Spain
A short dramatic climb into a canyon rimmed by sheer limestone walls and waterfalls.
5 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10
Closed to private cars in peak season, shuttle bus required
Andalusia, Spain
Endless third gear curves cut through cork oak hills between two fine Andalusian towns.
31.1 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10