Sa Calobra
Spain, europe
9.4 km
682 m
moderate
March to June, September to November
Sa Calobra is a legendary winding road on the northwest coast of Mallorca, Spain, descending from the Coll dels Reis pass at 682 meters to sea level over just 9.4 kilometers. The road features a remarkable 270-degree turn where it loops under itself in a knot-like formation, one of the most photographed road features in Europe. Built in 1932 by Italian engineer Antonio Parietti, the road was an extraordinary engineering achievement for its time.
The road descends through the rugged Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering dramatic views of limestone cliffs plunging into the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. With its twelve major hairpin bends and steep gradients of up to 7%, Sa Calobra is a favorite challenge among road cyclists. The annual Sa Calobra cycling event draws thousands of riders who test themselves on the punishing climb back to the summit.
At the bottom, the road ends at a small cove where the Torrent de Pareis gorge meets the sea. This deep limestone gorge, one of the most impressive natural features of Mallorca, can be explored on foot through a series of short tunnels cut through the rock. The beach at the mouth of the gorge is popular with swimmers and hikers. The road itself is narrow and busy in summer, so early morning drives are recommended to enjoy the experience without heavy traffic.
Where is it?
Sa Calobra is located in Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain (europe). Coordinates: 39.8514, 2.8050
Driving Tips
Drive early morning to avoid tourist buses and traffic. The road is narrow with limited overtaking opportunities. Cyclists are common, especially in spring. The return climb is demanding in summer heat.
Road Surface
Paved asphalt
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Region
- Mallorca, Balearic Islands
- Length
- 9.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 682 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Surface
- Paved asphalt
- Best Season
- March to June, September to November
- Coordinates
- 39.8514, 2.8050
Related Roads in europe
Bolu Mountain Pass (D655)
🇹🇷 Turkey
The Bolu Mountain Pass road in northwestern Turkey crosses the Bolu Mountains between Ankara and Istanbul, climbing to approximately 1,500 meters through dense forests of black pine, fir, and beech. While the modern O4 motorway now tunnels beneath the mountains, the old D655 road over the pass remains one of Turkey's most enjoyable mountain drives, winding through Abant Nature Park and the Bolu Mountain forests. The region around Bolu is known as one of Turkey's greenest areas, with a climate more reminiscent of Central Europe than the dry Anatolian steppe. The road passes through the Yedigoller (Seven Lakes) National Park, where seven small lakes formed by landslides sit in a forested valley. The autumn colors here rival those of New England, with the mixed deciduous and coniferous forest creating a spectacular palette of reds, oranges, and golds. Bolu is also famous throughout Turkey for its cuisine and its culinary school, making it a destination for food lovers as well as drivers.
Vrsic Pass
🌍 Slovenia
The Vrsic Pass is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia at 1,611 meters, connecting the town of Kranjska Gora in the upper Sava Valley with the Soca Valley and the town of Bovec. The road features 50 numbered hairpin bends, 24 on the northern approach and 26 on the southern side, many of them surfaced with original cobblestones laid by Russian prisoners of war during World War I. Built between 1914 and 1916 by over 10,000 Russian POWs under Austro-Hungarian command, the road has deep historical significance. An avalanche in March 1916 killed over 300 of these prisoners, and the Russian Chapel near the summit stands as a memorial to the fallen. The northern approach climbs steeply through forests of spruce and larch, while the southern descent into the Soca Valley reveals views of the Julian Alps and the emerald-green Soca River, renowned as one of Europe's most beautiful rivers. The cobblestoned hairpins demand careful driving, especially when wet.
Transfagarasan
🇷🇴 Romania
The Transfagarasan Highway (DN7C) is a spectacular mountain road that crosses the Fagaras Mountains in central Romania, connecting the historic regions of Transylvania and Wallachia. Stretching 151 kilometers from Pitesti to Sibiu, the road reaches its highest point at 2,042 meters at Balea Lake. It was famously declared "the best road in the world" by Jeremy Clarkson on the BBC's Top Gear in 2009, bringing it to international attention. The road was built between 1970 and 1974 under the orders of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu as a strategic military route following the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. The construction was carried out primarily by military personnel and claimed the lives of an estimated 40 workers. The road was carved through some of the most challenging terrain in the Carpathian Mountains, requiring extensive tunneling, bridge-building, and blasting through solid rock. The northern descent from Balea Lake is the most dramatic section, featuring a series of tight switchbacks, a 900-meter tunnel, and views of the Balea waterfall and glacial lake. The road is surrounded by dense forests, alpine meadows, and rocky peaks, with the Fagaras range providing a stunning backdrop. Due to heavy snowfall, the upper sections are closed from late October through June, though the exact dates vary by year. When open, the road offers an unforgettable driving experience through wild, pristine mountain scenery.
Amalfi Coast Road
🇮🇹 Italy
The SS163 Amalfitana is a 50-kilometer stretch of coastal road carved into the cliffs of the Sorrentine Peninsula in southern Italy, connecting Vietri sul Mare to Positano. Built in the mid-19th century by the Bourbon dynasty, it hugs sheer limestone cliffs hundreds of meters above the Tyrrhenian Sea, passing through a series of tunnels, tight switchbacks, and picturesque villages that cling to the mountainside. The road connects some of Italy's most celebrated coastal towns including Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano, and Positano, each with its own distinct character. The drive is famously narrow in places, with barely enough room for two vehicles to pass, and local bus drivers navigate the hairpins with remarkable skill. Despite the challenges, the scenery is extraordinary: terraced lemon groves, pastel-colored houses cascading down to the sea, and sweeping Mediterranean views at every turn. The UNESCO-listed Amalfi Coast is one of Europe's most iconic driving destinations.