It is one of the narrowest roads in Spain: it is 21 kilometers long and is between rocky walls

In Spain, there are all kinds of roads on which you can embark on a journey. Data from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility reveal that the road network in our country totals 165,375 kilometers as of December 2023. During the summer, many drivers get behind the wheel in search of their destination, but also in the fall, when temperatures are still favorable. The truth is that on these routes, you may encounter some slightly more complicated routes .

One of the complications a driver may encounter is a road that is too narrow. This is what happens on the N-612 . This road connects the towns of La Hermida and Panes , in the westernmost part of Cantabria . In fact, it marks the border with the Picos de Europa Mountains .

The La Hermida Gorge route

This gorge is a spectacular ravine located in the Cantabrian region. The N-612 highway naturally crosses the area, connecting the two municipalities. It is 21 kilometers long , making it the longest gorge in our country. It is a popular area, especially during the summer months, as tourists seem to make a practically obligatory stop on their trips.

Driving through this area is quite an experience, although it is not without its dangers. It is one of the narrowest roads in the country, and its asphalt can be very slippery. Furthermore, in one section, there is a risk of rockfall from the two vertical limestone walls on either side of the road.

The road circles a basin where La Hermida is located, while the gorge below the Deva River is very narrow, with almost no sunlight. One of the must-see stops in this area is the 10th-century Mozarabic church of Nuestra Señora de Lebeña in Potes.

In this area, you can take different routes, such as climbing to the Santa Catalina viewpoint , one of the most famous in this gorge, from which you can enjoy the landscape of the Picos de Europa.