How long is the Causeway Coastal Route?
Northern Ireland, europe
212 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Alright, buckle up, road trip lovers, because the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland is calling your name! This isn't just a drive; it's an experience, a 130-mile (212 km) hug from the rugged Irish coast, starting in Belfast and winding its way to Derry~Londonderry via the trusty A2.
Forget tolls, but stash some cash just in case! What you *can't* forget is your camera – think dramatic cliffs, hidden sandy beaches, and those charming Glens of Antrim villages. Spot familiar sights from *Game of Thrones*, maybe with a wee dram from a local distillery. Castles dot the landscape like something from a fairytale.
The star of the show? Has to be the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, roughly halfway along your adventure. Waterfalls like Gleno cascade down the cliffs, and the golden sands of Magilligan Beach stretch out before you.
You could technically blast through it in three hours, but where's the fun in that? Give yourself 4-6 days to soak it all in, explore the detours, and maybe even try to count all the shades of green. Trust me, this drive is worth every single second!
Road Details
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 212 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere Is L'Aiguille Percée?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're heading to L'Aiguille Percée in the Savoie department of France, way up in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a gnarly service road – unpaved, rugged, the real deal – that climbs to a staggering 2,732 meters (that's 8,963 feet!). And get this, it's only open for a few summer months, so timing is everything. Over a short distance, you'll gain a whopping 621 meters in elevation, with an average gradient of 18.26%! Translation? Seriously steep. This isn't for the faint of heart! Keep an eye out for those hairpin turns – if you love them, you're in for a treat! But trust me, the views are absolutely worth it. Just imagine: you, the open road, and the breathtaking scenery of the French Alps unfolding before you. It's an experience you won't soon forget!
hardCol du Noyer is an iconic Tour de France climb
🇫🇷 France
Col du Noyer is a stunning high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,664m (5,459ft) in the Hautes-Alpes department of southeastern France. This alpine gem is tucked away in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, and at the summit, you'll find a charming mountain refuge that's been welcoming travelers since 1858. The fully paved D17T road winds its way up from Le Dévoluy to Le Noyer over 14.9 km (9.25 miles), heading west to east through some seriously dramatic scenery. What makes this route so special? On one side, you've got the rugged, arid ridges of Le Dévoluy, and on the other, the lush greenery of the Drac Valley unfolds before you. It's the kind of contrast that'll make your jaw drop. Fair warning though: this road is seriously curvy. Hairpin turns come at you relentlessly, and the narrow, remote nature of the route demands your full attention. The pass was originally carved out from an old mule path back in 1850 and has evolved into one of the most celebrated climbs in the Tour de France—so you know you're in for a real challenge. Just keep in mind that winter shuts this place down completely, so plan your visit accordingly. But if you're chasing alpine thrills and breathtaking mountain views, Col du Noyer absolutely delivers.
moderateDriving the iconic paved road to Bernina Pass in the Alps
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Passo del Bernina: A Classic Alpine Adventure Want to experience one of Switzerland's most iconic mountain passes? Head to Passo del Bernina in Graubünden, near the Italian border, where you'll find yourself 2,332m (7,650ft) above sea level surrounded by some of the Alps' most stunning scenery. This legendary route stretches 53.3 km (33.11 miles) from the charming resort town of St. Moritz down through the Engadin valley all the way to Tirano in Italy. What makes it special? The fully paved Hauptstrasse 29 has been connecting these two regions since 1865, following in the tire tracks of medieval traders who once hauled goods across these mountain passes on horseback. The drive itself is no joke – expect some seriously steep sections hitting up to 10.4% gradient – but it's totally manageable in regular conditions. Most people take between 1 to 1.5 hours to drive through without stopping, though you'll want to pump the brakes and soak in the Alpine vistas. One unmissable sight is Lago Bianco (the "White Lake"), which hugs your right side for much of the drive heading south toward Val Poschiavo. Here's the cool part: you'll share the road with the Bernina Express, one of Europe's most spectacular railways. In some spots south of Poschiavo, the train literally runs alongside (and sometimes on!) the road itself – yes, cars have to yield to trains here. The pass stays open year-round since 1965, though expect snow for about eight months annually. Winter weather can trigger temporary closures, so check conditions beforehand. At the summit, grab lunch or coffee at one of the restaurants or even stay overnight at the mountain hotel.
extremeDriving the D86: Tour de Madeloc's Hairpin Turns
🇫🇷 France
# The Tour de Madeloc: A White-Knuckle Coastal Adventure Nestled between the Spanish border and Cap Cerbere in southern France, the Tour de Madeloc (Route D86) is one seriously thrilling drive. This scenic gem connects the charming coastal towns of Banyuls-Sur-Mer and Colliure, weaving through the Pyrénées-Orientales department with jaw-dropping Mediterranean views. Starting practically at sea level, this 18.5-kilometer road launches you upward at a genuinely intense pace, climbing about 450 meters in what feels like no time at all. The paved surface—recently refreshed in spots—winds relentlessly through vineyard-covered hillsides, and those gradients? Some sections hit a punishing 20%. Just insane. Here's where it gets real: this road is *tiny*. We're talking barely-room-for-one-car narrow, with sections so tight that passing another vehicle means someone's reversing—possibly for quite a distance. And those guardrails you might be hoping for? They don't exist. The drop-off happens immediately, and one mistake genuinely could be catastrophic. This isn't hyperbole—this is a road that demands serious driving skills and nerves of steel. Local farmers navigate it daily in their vineyard vehicles, which somehow makes it both more impressive and more humbling. Take it slow (aim for 30 km/h max), stay alert for blind corners, and only attempt this if you're genuinely confident driving in reverse on narrow mountain roads. There are two decent stopping points with parking and incredible vistas—the views are absolutely worth the stress. Bonus: A dead-end track leads to a medieval watchtower (closed to traffic, but worth a short walk), and nearby Fort Saint Elme—beautifully renovated and now a museum—showcases impressive Vauban fortifications. Bring your camera; this drive is a photographer's dream.