How Often Does the Causeway Flood?
England, europe
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Ever heard of a road that vanishes twice a day? Head to Osea Island in the Blackwater estuary of Essex, East England, and you'll find one! This isn't your typical commute; it's an unpaved causeway, Osea Road, that's only accessible for about four hours during low tide.
This quirky road, believed to have Roman origins, is only a couple hours from London, but feels like a world away. Imagine driving across to a privately owned island, surrounded by the sea, and teeming with wildlife.
Word to the wise: check the tide times before you go! This road floods, so timing is everything. Forget relying on your GPS entirely, it might lead you astray. Once the tide rolls in, you're stranded (in a good way!) until the next low tide, unless you have a boat. Osea Island: Essex's best-kept secret, accessible by a disappearing road!
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateA wild paved road to Sakaltutan Geçidi in Erzincan Province
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, road trip lovers, buckle up for Sakaltutan Geçidi! This high-altitude stunner sits way up in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey, chilling at 2,036 meters (that's 6,679 feet!). You'll find it nestled along the D100 (also known as the E80), connecting the cities of Erzincan and Refahiye. The good news? It's paved, so no need for a monster truck. The maybe-not-so-good news? It's a pretty steep climb, so keep your engine humming. And heads up – being up so high means you might run into some serious winter weather. But hey, think of the views! You'll be snaking through some seriously gorgeous scenery in Eastern Turkey.
easyWhere is Passo della Costazza?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Italian Alps in the Autonomous Province of Trento, heading for Passo della Costazza. This beauty tops out at 2,181 meters (that's 7,155 feet!), tucked inside Parco Naturale Paneveggio Pale di San Martino. The views from the top? Unreal! You'll be staring at the majestic Cimon di Pala. Plus, there's a cool little shepherd's cottage, Baita Segantini, where a 19th-century painter once lived, plus a monument to Alfredo Paluselli. The climb itself is only about 2.9 km (1.8 miles) along Strada Statale 50 (SS50), but don't let the short distance fool you. You'll gain 222 meters in elevation, so it's a decent climb! Keep in mind, though: this road is totally impassable in winter, so plan your trip accordingly. And get this: to get here, you'll be driving a winding paved road from Sospirolo to Gosaldo in Belluno, passing Portella Femmina Morta. Basically, you're in for a serious treat of winding roads and breathtaking Alpine scenery!
moderateIs the road through Fjarðarheiði paved?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, so you're heading to Eastern Iceland? You HAVE to drive Fjarðarheiði! This mountain pass climbs up to 623 meters (that's over 2,000 feet!), and the whole thing is paved, thankfully. It’s Route 93, and winds between Egilsstaðir (right on the Lagarfljót river) and Seyðisfjörður, nestled deep in its fjord. The road's about 24.5 kilometers (or 15ish miles) long, and under normal conditions, you're looking at a 30-45 minute drive. BUT, be warned, it can be steep in places! Plus, this is Iceland, so ALWAYS check the weather before you go. Snow can make this pass a real challenge for much of the year. If the fog isn’t too thick, the views are incredible. Seriously, worth the nail-biting drive!
hardWhere is Col de l’Homme?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Isère department of France, headed for a hidden gem called Col de l'Homme. This mountain peak sits at a cool 1,766m (5,793ft) in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and is totally worth the drive. What makes it special? Well, at the top, you'll find the Notre-Dame de la Salette shrine, a seriously impressive 19th-century basilica. It's a popular spot for pilgrims, and the views are incredible! Plus, there's a gift shop and plenty of parking. If you're into history, a few kilometers down the road is a memorial for the victims of the 1950 airplane crash into the nearby Grande Tête de l’Obiou. The drive up, along the D212C (or Route de la Salette, as the locals call it), is pretty smooth. The road is paved the whole way, nice and wide, and not too steep. It's 14.3 km (8.88 miles) from Corps, with an elevation gain of 822 meters and a gentle average gradient of 5.74%. Expect easy curves, light traffic, and stunning scenery all the way to the top. Trust me; this road trip is a must-do!