Puerto El Collado Mountain Pass Road in Sierra de la Demanda National Park

This road is situated in the autonomous community of Castilla y León, Spain, within the province of Burgos. It traverses the Espacio Natural de la Sierra de la Demanda, a protected natural park known for its mountainous terrain and diverse ecosystems. The route also skirts the Parque Natural Lagunas Glaciares de Neila, a natural park famous for its glacial lakes. The road runs adjacent to the Río Arlanza for nearly half of its length, providing riders with views of the river valley. The road ends near the village of Quintanar de la Sierra, a small settlement that serves as a gateway to the surrounding natural areas. An interactive map showing the road can be found at the end of this article.

The road extends approximately 17.3 kilometers (10.7 miles) and is primarily surfaced with high-quality asphalt, rated at 4.6 out of 5 for surface condition. It features a mix of one-lane and two-lane sections, with about 55% of the road being single-lane and 20% two-lane. The width varies, with the majority of the road being of medium width (about 52%) and a significant portion wide enough for comfortable riding (about 42%). The road is moderately curvy, rated at 1.36 on a scale where 3 is extremely curvy, offering a balanced riding challenge without excessive technical difficulty.

Elevation ranges from 1,097 meters (3,602 feet) to 1,400 meters (4,593 feet), with the highest point at the Puerto El Collado mountain pass, which stands at 1,404 meters (4,606 feet). Speed limits vary between 40 and 50 km/h (25 to 31 mph), reflecting the road's mountain pass nature and safety considerations. Approximately 19% of the route passes through inhabited areas, including several small settlements such as Calle la Iglesia, Calle Conde Jordana, Calle Campamento, and Calle Ernesto Sanz Sanz, as well as the Puente Río Cambrones.

The road passes through and near two significant protected natural areas. The Espacio Natural de la Sierra de la Demanda is a mountainous natural park offering diverse flora and fauna, while the Parque Natural Lagunas Glaciares de Neila is known for its glacial lakes and unique geological formations. Riders will find viewpoints along the route that provide opportunities to appreciate the surrounding landscape and the Río Arlanza valley. The river itself is a notable geographic feature, running adjacent to the road for about 45% of its length and contributing to the area's natural appeal.

Currently, there are no known seasonal or event-related closures affecting motorcycle access on this road. However, as it is a mountain pass road, weather conditions in winter may impact accessibility, and riders should verify local conditions before planning a trip. There are no tolls or entrance fees associated with this road, but toll policies may change over time. For updated information on road tolls and entrance fees in Spain, riders can consult official resources such as the Dirección General de Tráfico.

For more detailed information about the natural parks intersected by this road, riders can visit the Sierra de la Demanda and Parque Natural Lagunas Glaciares de Neila Wikipedia pages. The Río Arlanza, which runs alongside the road, is detailed on its Wikipedia page. This route offers a combination of natural beauty and manageable riding conditions, making it a valuable addition to any motorcyclist's itinerary in the region.