Driving the international Pavlic Pass
Austria, europe
19.3 km
1,349 m
hard
Year-round
# Pavlič Pass
Nestled in the stunning Julian Alps, Pavlič Pass sits at 1,349m (4,425ft) and marks the scenic border between Slovenia and Austria. Named after a local farmer, this charming mountain crossing connects Lower Styria in northern Slovenia with Austria's Carinthia region.
The fully paved route stretches 19.3km (11.99 miles) from Solčava in Slovenia to Bad Vellach in Austria, running east-west across some seriously gorgeous Alpine terrain. Known as the Seeberg Highway (B 82) on the Austrian side and Route 428 in Slovenia, this pass has quite the history—the first road opened way back in 1894, though it didn't get fully paved until 2000.
Fair warning: this isn't a leisurely Sunday drive. The road climbs steeply with some sections hitting a gnarly 15.7% gradient, so grip your steering wheel tight. But that's half the fun, right? You'll weave through dense forests, pop out into charming villages, and cruise past Alpine meadows—the scenery shifts constantly and keeps you engaged the whole way.
Cyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts absolutely swoon over this route when the weather's cooperating. The narrow sections add a bit of technical challenge, making it perfect if you're looking for something with real character. Just pick a clear day, take your time, and soak in those mountain views.
Where is it?
Driving the international Pavlic Pass is located in Austria (europe). Coordinates: 47.4640, 13.3464
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 19.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,349 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 47.4640, 13.3464
Related Roads in europe
easyVia Chiantigiana is a scenic road between Florence and Siena through Chianti country
🇮🇹 Italy
# Strada Regional 222: Italy's Most Iconic Wine Country Drive Tucked in the heart of Tuscany, Strada Regional 222—lovingly known as the Chiantigiana Road or the Chianti Wine Road—is basically the poster child for scenic Italian driving. This fully paved 59.1 km (36.72 miles) stretch connects Florence and Siena, two stunning medieval cities, by winding through the legendary Chianti Classico region. Honestly, it's hard to overstate how beautiful this drive is. As you cruise along, you'll pass endless vineyards and olive groves, stumble upon charming medieval villages, and spot picture-perfect churches and castles scattered throughout the gently rolling countryside. The landscape is genuinely pristine and breathtaking. Sure, you *could* knock out this drive in about 1.5 hours flat, but why would you? This is one of those roads that deserves a leisurely day trip. Plan to stop constantly—there are wineries galore where you can taste local wines and soak in the atmosphere. The best time to drive it? Late spring, when poppies and wildflowers explode across the hillsides in a riot of color. This region has been a serious wine-producing powerhouse for over two centuries, and driving the Chiantigiana puts you right in the middle of it all. You'll pass through some of the most charming towns in the territory, each one offering its own slice of Tuscan magic. It's the kind of drive that makes you understand why people fall in love with Italy in the first place.
hardCol de Lachau
🇫🇷 France
Col de Lachau is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.332m (4,370ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in southeastern France. The road to the summit, located within the Vercors Natural Regional Park, is called D76 (Combe Laval Road) It’s asphalted but pretty narrow and steep, with some sections up to 9.1%. This road is one of the most famous balcony roads in France. A balcony road is a hair-raising lane cut into the sides of sheer cliffs. A very bumpy, grueling road to Bocca di Battaglia Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardSemnoz
🇫🇷 France
# Semnoz (Crêt de Chatillon): A Classic Alpine Climb Perched at 1,660 meters (5,446 feet) in France's Bauges range in Haute-Savoie, Semnoz—also known as Crêt de Chatillon—is one of those legendary Alpine passes that actually lived up to the hype. The road up (D41) is fully paved, which is always a relief, but don't let that fool you—some sections hit a gnarly 11.4% grade that'll definitely keep you honest on the pedals or behind the wheel. The pass has serious cycling credentials too; it's been tackled by Tour de France riders over the years. At the summit, there's a modest ski station where you can grab a bite and soak in the views. **Getting to the top? You've got options:** Coming from **Quintal** is the shortest but spiciest route: 11.3 km with 922 meters of elevation gain averaging 8.2%. If you're starting from **Col de Leschaux**, it's a more relaxed 13.4 km climb at 5.7% gradient, gaining 763 meters. From **Annecy**, you're looking at 17.4 km and 1,212 meters of elevation gain (averaging 7%), which hits the sweet spot for most climbers. Finally, the **St Jorioz** approach stretches to 22.78 km with 1,202 meters of gain at a mellow 5.2%—perfect if you want to take your time and savor the Alpine scenery. No matter which route you choose, you're in for stunning mountain views and a climb that'll feel rewarding from start to finish.
moderateA military old road to Cima Bianca in Sondrio
🇮🇹 Italy
# Cima Bianca: Alpine Adventure Ready for some serious altitude? Cima Bianca sits pretty at 2,977 meters (9,767 ft) in Italy's Sondrio Province, making it one of Europe's highest accessible peaks. You'll find this beauty tucked into the Lombardy region near the Swiss border, complete with a cable car station and a mountain bar restaurant waiting at the top. The road itself has quite the backstory—originally carved out during World War I for military operations, it's now the main access route to the chairlift. Here's how the drive breaks down: you'll start on smooth pavement leaving Bormio, but don't get too comfortable—the road quickly transitions to gravel once you hit Bormio 2000. The ride stays drivable until you reach La Rocca (2,126 m), home to the charming Chalet dei Rododendri. That's where the wheels stop for regular vehicles, though there's a massive parking lot to accommodate everyone. The full route from Bormio clocks in at 14.32 km (8.9 miles) with a brutal 1,760-meter (5,775 ft) elevation gain that'll get your heart pumping and your quads burning. These Alpine roads demand serious respect—winter? Completely impassable. This isn't just a high-altitude drive; it's genuinely one of Italy's most extreme mountain routes. Come prepared, take your time, and soak in those incredible views.