
Is the Road to Pragel Pass Paved?
Switzerland, europe
30.8 km
1,550 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, because the Pragelpass in Switzerland is a wild ride you won't forget! Nestled in the canton of Schwyz, this high mountain pass climbs to a cool 1,550 meters (that's 5,085 feet!).
The road is paved, so no need for off-road tires, but don't get too comfy. It's narrow and seriously steep in places, with gradients hitting a maximum of 18 percent! The summit has a small parking area and a restaurant where you can catch your breath and soak in the views.
Clocking in at around 30.8 kilometers (19.13 miles), the pass connects Riedern in Glarus to Muotathal in Schwyz.
Heads up: the Pragel Pass is a no-go zone in winter. Usually, it's closed from mid-October to May. If you're planning a summer trip, take note that the east side is closed to cars and motorcycles on Saturdays and Sundays, making it a biker's paradise.
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 30.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,550 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateHow To Travel The Road 862 to Dettifoss waterfall in Iceland
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, picture this: Iceland, Northeastern Region, and you're cruising on Road 862, aka Dettifossvegur, headed for the mighty Dettifoss waterfall. Trust me, this is one scenic route you don't want to miss. This beauty runs along the western side of the Jökulsá river and the views? Unreal. Think wide-open landscapes that'll leave you breathless. The best part? It's all paved, baby! Built in 2011, so you can leave the 4x4 at home, passenger vehicles are just fine. Nestled inside Vatnajökull National Park, in the northern part of Iceland, this 50.7 km (31.5 miles) stretch of road snakes its way from Road 85, south of Thvera, up to the iconic Ring Road. Factor in about 1 to 1.5 hours for the drive, depending on how often you pull over to soak in the views (and you will pull over!). It runs parallel to the unpaved Road 864, which brings you to the eastern side of the waterfall. Usually, you can tackle this road from April to December, but keep in mind it might not be fully serviced, even in the summer.
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering Playa de Cofete on Canary Islands
🇪🇸 Spain
# Playa de Cofete: Fuerteventura's Wild Coastal Adventure Picture this: you're standing at the edge of Spain's Canary Islands, about to tackle one of the most legendary drives on the archipelago. Welcome to Playa de Cofete, a breathtaking stretch of sandy perfection nestled on the western side of the Jandia peninsula in Fuerteventura. The 10.5 km unpaved road to get there? Yeah, it's absolutely mental—in the best way possible. Starting from the village of Morro Jable, this route climbs dramatically up to the Mirador de Cofete viewpoint, gaining 231 meters of elevation along the way. The track is properly narrow in spots, forcing single-file traffic and revealing some seriously gnarly cliff-side drops that'll make your knuckles white. You'll definitely want a sturdy jeep or four-wheel-drive vehicle for this one. But here's where it gets interesting. The road's got a wild backstory steeped in WWII history and conspiracy theories. Built back in the late 1930s during the Hitler and Franco era, this route was constructed to access a military zone that kept civilians out entirely. Dark rumors have swirled for decades—tales of a mysterious villa (Villa Winter) that allegedly served as a hideout where Nazi figures underwent plastic surgery before fleeing to South America, supposedly arriving by submarine under cover of darkness. True or not, the real magic here is the landscape itself. You're surrounded by dramatic terrain that eventually opens up to reveal Cofete beach—absolutely stunning and worth every bump in the road.
hardTravel Guide to Lac de Gaube in the Pyrénées
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're in the French Pyrenees, ready for an adventure to Lac de Gaube. This stunning high-mountain lake sits way up at 1,734m (that's 5,688ft!). Getting there is part of the thrill, but fair warning: the path is gravelly, rocky, and can be a bit rough in spots. Leave your car behind, as this one is strictly for hikers. Seriously, check the weather before you head out. This lake plunges to an average depth of 40m, so it's impressively deep! When you finally arrive, you'll find the HĂ´tellerie du Lac de Gaube, a lone bar/restaurant, your only sign of civilization right on the shore, open in summer.
hardCol de la Traversette was Hannibal's route across the Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Traversette Tucked away in the Savoie department of southeastern France near the Italian border, Col de la Traversette sits at a breathtaking 2,369m (7,772ft) and comes with some seriously legendary bragging rights. This is allegedly where Hannibal and his entire army—including 37 elephants—made their famous crossing into Italy back in 218 BC. Pretty wild, right? The road itself is pure adventure: a completely unpaved military track that's basically begging for a 4x4 or enduro bike. Starting from the D1090, you're looking at a gnarly 2.5km climb that packs in 324m of elevation gain and averages a steep 12.96% gradient, with some sections hitting a jaw-dropping 30%. But here's the thing—despite the brutality, it's actually rideable and rewards you with absolutely stunning alpine views. Nestled in the Cottian Alps, this high-altitude gem sits just south of the Little St Bernard Pass and gets you close to Le Fort de la Redoute, a 17th-century fortress built by the House of Savoy in 1630 (though you can't actually visit it anymore due to structural concerns). Fair warning: winter makes this place completely impassable, so plan your adventure accordingly. If you're up for a challenging, history-soaked drive with epic scenery, this legendary pass delivers on all fronts.