Puerto de Navacerrada from Collado Villalba

The M-601 rises 18.3km through wooded valleys and open mountainside, gaining 967m to 1,857m. The average gradient of 5.3% disguises ramps of 11.9% — the kind of gradient that turns plans into prayers. This is a climb of endurance — the kind of effort measured in hours, where pacing matters more than power. The road reaches 1,857m — high enough to feel the altitude on tired legs. Located in Madrid, Spain.