Is D975 Road Paved?
Turkey, europe
N/A
2,763 m
hard
Year-round
Get ready for an epic Turkish road trip! This north-south route, the D975, stretches from Doğubayazıt near the Iranian border down to Hakkâri. It’s a long haul, but the scenery is absolutely worth it!
Be prepared for a wild ride as you conquer three major mountain passes: one peaking at a whopping 2,763m (9,064ft), another at 2,236m (7,335ft), and the third at 2,602m (8,536ft). Expect steep inclines that will test your vehicle’s power. While the road is mostly paved, you’ll encounter a mix of freshly surfaced sections and some that have seen better days.
This route carries significant traffic, including plenty of trucks, and forms part of the E99. Keep an eye out for military outposts dotting the landscape, a reminder of the proximity to Iran.
This road might be open, but Mother Nature calls the shots. Strong winds and sudden weather shifts are common, so pack for the cold and be prepared for potential closures. Ice and snow can make things tricky, so drive carefully.
Road Details
- Country
- Turkey
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,763 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Col du Coq?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up for the Col du Coq, a mountain pass sitting pretty in the Isère department of France! We're talking serious elevation. This climb? Totally unforgettable. You'll find it nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, that southeastern slice of France, clinging to the northwest-facing slopes. Back in the day, skiers had to tackle a rough and tumble 1,400-meter unpaved road to get to the station, before swooping down. Now, this beauty runs about from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse to Saint-Nazaire-les-Eymes, and yes, it's paved (thank goodness!). You'll be cruising on the . Keep an eye out, because about halfway up, you'll hit some hairpin turns. Think this sounds familiar? This climb has been featured in the Tour de France! Some say it's a dead ringer for the Faux Col de Restefond, sharing almost the same length, steepness, difficulty, and even the same number of hairpin turns. Forget a "thrilling (scary) off-road experience to Col de Chérine". This is a truly amazing drive.
hard6 Incredible Sky-High Roads in Romania That Will Take Your Breath Away
🇷🇴 Romania
# Six Epic Romanian Mountain Roads That'll Make Your Road Trip Bucket List Romania is seriously calling your name. Hidden in the heart of Europe, this country serves up some of the most stunning drives you'll find anywhere on the continent. We're talking dramatic Carpathian curves, sweeping Danube vistas, and mountain passes that'll have you pulling over constantly for photos. Trust us—bring extra camera battery. These roads are the real deal. Some are smooth and well-maintained, while others feel a bit rough around the edges (thanks to tight local budgets), but that's part of the charm. Here are six high-altitude drives that deserve a spot on your travel list. **Transalpina Road (DN67C)** holds the crown as Romania's highest. Stretching 146 km across the Carpathians, this 2,145m beauty has serious credentials—it started as a Roman route, got paved in the 1930s, and was even touched up during WWII. The locals have always called this stretch "Poteca Dracului" (the Devil's Path), and once you drive it, you'll understand why it's so legendary. **Transfăgărăşan (DN7C)** is the drama queen of Romanian roads. This second-highest paved route is 90 km of pure adrenaline, cutting north-south through the Southern Carpathians with relentless twists. Built during the Communist era (1970-1974) as a military highway, it features Romania's longest road tunnel at 887 meters. The views? Absolutely jaw-dropping. **TransBucegi** reaches 1,925 meters and might just be Romania's most scenic drive. Wind through the Bucegi Natural Park in the south-central region and soak in sweeping mountain vistas without ever leaving your seat. **TransRarau Road** (nicknamed the "Treasures Road") is often called Romania's third-most beautiful alpine drive. This 26 km route climbs to 1,400m, connecting the villages of Chiril and Pojorata. It used to be pretty rough, but after a 2014 makeover, the asphalt is now pristine. **Transursoaia Road (DN1R)** cuts through the Apuseni Mountains in the north for 80 km of mixed asphalt and gravel. Cresting at 1,324m, this one's a real adventure—though heads up: it's typically closed from May to October depending on weather conditions. **TransSemenic (DJ582)** runs 58.4 km east-west through the Semenic Mountains at 1,004m elevation. Fully paved since 2014, this one stays open year-round (except during heavy snowfall). It's your most accessible high-altitude option. Ready to hit the road? Each of these drives offers something special—pick your adventure and hit the gas.
extremeA sensational paved road to Col de la Llose in the French Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Llose: A Pyrenean Adventure Looking for a thrilling mountain drive in France? Col de la Llose sits pretty at 1,866 meters (6,122 ft) in the Pyrénées-Orientales, right in the heart of the Pyrenees that separate France and Spain. This isn't your typical Sunday cruise—it's a proper mountain experience. The fully paved D4C road winds its way through 9.3 km (5.77 miles) of scenic terrain, stretching from La Llagonne to Ayguatébia-Talau in a south-to-north direction. Don't let the pavement fool you—this route is seriously curvy with hairpin turns and sections that get genuinely narrow. Encounters with oncoming traffic can be sketchy, so stay alert. Expect gradients hitting 9.5% on the steepest bits, with the initial 3 km climb from La Llagonne gaining 167 meters at an average of 5.57%. At the summit, you'll find Site de ski de fonds du Capcir, a cross-country ski resort with ample parking. If you're up for extra exploration, a rough unpaved road branches off toward Puig de la Tossa and Pic de Figuéma for some serious off-the-beaten-path vibes. This is the kind of pass that rewards careful driving with stunning Pyrenean scenery and genuine mountain thrills.
hardThe abandoned military road to Cima Ciantiplagna
🇮🇹 Italy
# Cima Ciantiplagna Perched at 2,849 meters (9,347 feet) above sea level in Turin's Metropolitan City, Cima Ciantiplagna ranks among Italy's highest mountain passes. Tucked away in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, this spot offers some seriously impressive elevation gains. The route follows the Strada Militare del Colle della Vecchia, an old military road that dates back to the 1880s. Here's the thing though—it's off-limits to regular cars. This is a purist's route: gravel all the way, with relentless grades averaging 10.83% that'll make your legs burn if you're hiking it, or test your vehicle's mettle if you manage to get permission somehow. The road's history tells its own story. After World War II, authorities basically threw up their hands and declared it "unusable and difficult to maintain," which is a fancy way of saying they abandoned it to the elements. That was decades ago, and nature's had plenty of time to reclaim what was built. If you're after that off-the-beaten-path alpine experience with serious elevation and minimal development, this is exactly the kind of hidden gem that makes for unforgettable mountain exploration—just don't expect smooth asphalt or easy cruising.