
How to drive the scenic Road Fv551 on the southeastern shore of the Hardangerfjorden?
Norway, europe
12.1 km
11,150 m
easy
Year-round
# County Road 551 (Fv551) – Norway's Hidden Fjord Gem
Ready to experience one of Norway's most scenic drives? County Road 551 winds along the stunning southeastern shore of Hardangerfjorden in Hordaland county, just north of the charming town of Odda. This 12.1 km (7.51 miles) east-west route connects the peaceful village of Eitrheim in Ullensvang municipality to Austrepollen in Kvinnherad municipality, cutting right through the heart of Folgefonna National Park.
The entire route is fully paved, which is great news for your car – but here's the cool part: most of the drive actually takes you through the Folgefonntunnelen, an impressive 11,150-meter (36,580 ft) tunnel that opened back in 2001. It's a marvel of engineering that lets you bypass some seriously dramatic alpine terrain. Just a heads up: if you're planning to bike or hike this route, the tunnel is strictly off-limits for pedestrians and cyclists.
The scenery surrounding this road is absolutely breathtaking, with dramatic fjord views and mountain landscapes that'll have you reaching for your camera at every turn. Whether you're a road-tripping enthusiast or just looking to explore one of Norway's hidden gems, this drive delivers an unforgettable experience.
Where is it?
How to drive the scenic Road Fv551 on the southeastern shore of the Hardangerfjorden? is located in Norway (europe). Coordinates: 65.1019, 13.4761
Road Details
- Country
- Norway
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 12.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 11,150 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 65.1019, 13.4761
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhat's at Alpe Galm?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Okay, picture this: you're winding your way up, up, UP into the Swiss Alps in Valais, headed for Alpe Galm. This isn't just a drive; it's an adventure to 2,231 meters (7,319 ft)! At the top, you'll find a tiny village, complete with a quaint chapel built way back in 1681. Now, let's be real: getting there is a bit of a challenge. The road's mostly paved, but those last 1.5 kilometers are gravel, and the whole thing is NARROW and seriously steep – we're talking up to 14% gradients in spots! They say it's one of the toughest climbs in the Alps, but most cars can handle it in summer. Oh, and bonus points: you'll cruise through the highest roundabout in Central Europe! Starting in Guttet-Feschel, the climb stretches for 10.7 km (6.6 miles), with a whopping 1,001 meters of elevation gain. As you climb, you're surrounded by classic Swiss scenery: alpine meadows, charming villages, and jaw-dropping views of the valley and mountains as you near the top. Trust me; the views are worth the white-knuckle drive!
hardFaro do Monte Faro
🇪🇸 Spain
# Monte Faro Lighthouse Road: A Wild Galician Adventure Picture this: you're behind the wheel of a 4x4, grinding your way up a rugged coastal track toward one of Spain's most dramatic lighthouses. Welcome to the Monte Faro road on the Cíes Islands, an archipelago hanging off the coast of Pontevedra in Galicia. Fair warning—this isn't your typical scenic drive. The road is exclusively for 4x4 vehicles, closed to regular cars, and for good reason. You'll be tackling 10 seriously steep hairpin turns while the Atlantic Ocean crashes directly below you. It's intense, it's thrilling, and it's absolutely worth every white-knuckle moment. Built between 1851 and 1853, this 178-meter-high lighthouse sits at the crown of the islands within Atlantic Islands National Park. But here's the thing: weather here is no joke. Strong winds are basically permanent, and you might encounter rain, electrical storms, and sudden weather shifts without warning. Come prepared and bring a camera—seriously, you'll want to capture everything. The payoff? Unreal. The views are genuinely spectacular, with the lighthouse perched dramatically against the coastline. Once you reach the top, you've got a panoramic viewpoint that showcases the entire archipelago: all three islands, their jaw-dropping cliffs, pristine beaches, and the whole Vigo estuary spreading out below you. This is the kind of drive that reminds you why you fell in love with road tripping in the first place.
hardBalcon du Bozelet
🇫🇷 France
Okay, so you're looking for adventure? Then buckle up and point your rig towards the Balcon du Bozelet, a mountain-top restaurant chilling at a cool 2,411 meters (that's 7,910 feet!) in the French Alps. We're talking Savoie department, deep in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, inside the northern part of Vanoise National Park. Now, heads up: this ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. The track up there is rocky, bumpy, and can get a little tippy – all part of the fun, right? Best to hit this one between late June and October; otherwise, snow's likely to shut it down. Even in summer, keep an eye on the forecast – you might catch some late-season snow! Temps get brutal here, and the wind? Let's just say it's consistently *enthusiastic*. This is a trail for experienced off-roaders, and trust me, you'll want a 4x4. It’s STEEP, with grades hitting 10% in spots. And if you're not a fan of heights, maybe grab a postcard instead. But the reward? Absolutely unreal views from the top. Seriously, the panoramas are worth every white-knuckle moment!
hardUltimate 4WD Destination: Col des Lessieres in the Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Col des Lessières: A Wild Alpine Adventure Ready for some serious altitude? Col des Lessières sits pretty at 2,936m (9,632ft) above sea level, making it one of Europe's highest drivable roads. You'll find it perched in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, right in the heart of the French Alps near the Italian border within the stunning Tarentaise Valley. Fair warning: this isn't your average scenic drive. The 4.2 km (2.60 mile) ascent from the paved D902 is an unpaved beast featuring loose gravel, scattered rocks, and a chairlift service road that's strictly 4x4 territory only. You're looking at an average gradient of 10.90% with some gnarly sections hitting up to 25%—throw in narrow passages and relentless hairpin turns, and you've got yourself quite the challenge. The landscape up here is absolutely breathtaking though. These are the real Alpine heights, and the views are worth every jolting moment of that 458m elevation gain. Just keep in mind: this road is only accessible from July to September. Winter and spring don't play nice at this elevation, so plan accordingly if you're dreaming of tackling this high-altitude gem.