A road in Goli Otok: the abandoned prison in the Croatian sea
Croatia, europe
5.22 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Ever heard of Goli Otok? This wild, rocky island sits in the northern Adriatic, nestled between the mainland and the islands of Rab and Krk. Once home to a chilling prison during Yugoslavia's reign, it's now a hauntingly beautiful, uninhabited spot whipped by fierce Adriatic winds.
Forget paradise – this island is barren, raw, and steeped in history. A narrow, paved road snakes its way across the island, connecting the west to the east. It's a short but sweet 5.22 km (3.25 mi) ride, with a few steep sections and five hairpin turns to keep things interesting!
Don't expect luxury – but you'll find a visitor's reception, an old admin building, and a Konoba (restaurant) serving up local flavors from late May to the end of September. Prepare for incredible, desolate scenery and a journey back in time on this unforgettable island.
Road Details
- Country
- Croatia
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 5.22 km
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Scaletta Pass?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Okay, picture this: Scaletta Pass, perched way up high in the Swiss Alps. We're talking serious altitude here! You'll find it nestled in the southeastern part of the country, south of Davos, within the stunning Parc Ela. Now, here's the thing – forget about driving. This baby is bikes only! Starting from Bergün, you've got a trail that's roughly 8.3km to the top. Prepare your legs, because you'll be climbing about 700 vertical meters with an average gradient of 8.5%! The views? Totally worth the effort! But a word of caution: this is the Alps, after all. Winter throws a serious curveball with a high avalanche risk, so your window of opportunity is pretty much limited to summer. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
hardIs the road to Crête de Douce unpaved?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Crête de Douce in the French Alps is calling your name, if you're up for a challenge. We're talking a summit that hits 2,029m (6,656ft), so yeah, it's high! Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road up to the peak is a rugged, unpaved path - a chairlift service road, to be exact. Get ready for some seriously steep climbs and hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills (there are eight of them!). Winter? Forget about it. This road is a no-go when the snow falls. The fun starts where the paved D218B ends. From there, it's a 4.9 km (3.04 miles) push to the top, and you'll be climbing 568 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of nearly 12%! So, buckle up, keep your eyes on the prize, and get ready for some breathtaking Alpine scenery. This one's for the memory books!
hardWhere is Lake Goscheneralp?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Swiss Alps, heading towards the ridiculously scenic Göscheneralpsee, a high-altitude reservoir chilling at 1,786m (5,859ft). You'll find this gem tucked away in the Canton of Uri, nestled in the Göschenen Valley. The road up is a blast! It's paved the whole way, but hold onto your hats – it's narrow, steep, and twisty! It's generally open all year round. Think tight tunnels and sections where you'll be grateful for your side mirrors, but the adrenaline rush is totally worth it. From Göschenen, it's about 9.6 km (5.96 miles) to the lake, climbing a hefty 680 meters. That's an average gradient of 7.08%, with some sections hitting a leg-burning 12%! At the end of the road, you're rewarded with a parking spot, a cozy mountain hut, and views that'll blow your mind.
hardCol de Riondet
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: Col de Riondet, perched way up in the French Alps at nearly 8,000 feet! You'll find it nestled in the Vanoise National Park, part of the stunning Massif de la Vanoise range. Now, heads up: this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road's gravel, rocky, and can get pretty bumpy. We're talking a proper 4x4 job here. It's usually closed from October to May due to snow, and even when it's open, you'll want some experience with unpaved mountain roads. It can be steep, and rain turns the road muddy! Definitely not for the faint of heart (or those scared of heights!). But, oh, the views! From the top, you're rewarded with panoramic vistas, including glimpses of the Col de la Madeleine's hairpin turns way down below. Trust me, if you're up for the challenge, the scenery is absolutely worth it.