Is the Vilyui Highway paved?
Russia, europe
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're smack-dab in the middle of the Siberian wilderness, craving a real adventure. Then you find the Vilyui Highway!
This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. The Vilyui Highway is a mix of pavement and gravel that stretches through some seriously remote territory. You *can* do it in a normal car, but be warned: after a good rain, even a monster truck might think twice.
Why "Vilyui"? Because you'll be paralleling and crisscrossing the Vilyui River the whole time! Prepare for multiple ferry crossings to make it across the mighty river!
The journey begins in Yakutsk, the diamond capital, and winds its way to the remote town of Mirny. You'll pass some stunning scenery, guaranteed, but keep your eyes peeled!
Related Roads in europe
hardSant Mamet
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Sant Mamet is calling your name. This bad boy peaks at 1,391m (4,564ft) in the Noguera region of Catalonia, Spain. The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Think gravel, rocks, and a whole lot of shaking and bumping. If you're not comfortable off-roading, maybe sit this one out. Seriously, you'll need a 4x4! Up top, you'll find a chapel (also named Sant Mamet) and a small shelter to escape the weather. Be warned, the climb is STEEP and long, mostly winding through woods. But the views? Totally worth it! This drive is a thrill, with scenery that'll knock your socks off. On a clear day, you can see all of Lleida, the Pyrenees, the Cadi mountains, Port del Compte, Montserrat, and, of course, a killer view of the Montsec range right in front of you. Trust me, you'll want to snap a million photos on this unforgettable trip!
hardWhere is Monte Oiz?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, road trip fans, listen up! Let's talk about Monte Oiz, a peak in northern Spain that'll test your mettle. Nestled in the Basque Country, this climb to 1,026 meters (3,366 ft) is not for the faint of heart! They don't call the summit the "Biscay Balcony" for nothing—the views are killer, stretching from the nearby sea to the mountains. Just be warned: fog and rain are frequent visitors. You'll spot a big antenna and a geodesic dome which make the mountain hard to miss. It's also infamous for a plane crash in 1985, when a flight hit the radar tower in thick cloud. The Munitibar-Arbatzegi-Gerrikaitz ascent is only 8.6 km (5.34 miles), but don't let that fool you. For the first 6 km, the road's smooth sailing, but then it turns into a corrugated concrete track that gets bumpier as you go. Those last 5 km are brutal, averaging a gradient of 10.5%, with some sections hitting a whopping 24%! It’s a half-asphalt, half-concrete beast with irregular ramps. You may recognize it from the Vuelta a España race. Ready for the challenge?
easyIs the Atlantic Road the Most Breathtaking Road in Western Portugal?
🇵🇹 Portugal
Cruising down Portugal's Estrada Atlântica, or Atlantic Road, is a must-do. Picture this: 60 km (37 miles) of pure coastal bliss stretching from Nazaré to Praia do Osso da Baleia, near Figueira da Foz. This fully paved route is perfect for any car, and cyclists and bikers will love the dedicated lane. Forget summer crowds and hit this road in spring or autumn. You’ll be rewarded with tranquil views and plenty of room to breathe. It's the perfect day trip, showcasing the best of western Portugal. Think breathtaking ocean vistas, windswept dunes, and pockets of the famed Leiria pine forest. Stop often! Photo ops are endless, and picnic spots abound. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in fresh seafood, especially in Praia da Vieira where you can taste Arroz de Marisco (seafood rice) which is known to be one of the seven wonders of Portuguese gastronomy. Keep an eye out for remnants of the Leiria pine forest, planted way back in the 14th century to stabilize the dunes and supply shipbuilding timber. While a fire damaged the area, you'll still see its beautiful footprint along the way.
hardRefugi de la Pleta del Prat
🇪🇸 Spain
Refugi de la Pleta del Prat is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.720m (5,643ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of the Pallars Sobirà in Catalonia, Spain. Located in the Alt Pirineu Natural Park, near the French border, the road to the refuge is asphalted but pretty narrow (especially the last 3km). Its many twists, turns and narrows can pose a challenge to even the most experienced drivers. This route is not recommended if your passengers are prone to car sickness. Expect a road pretty steep. Starting from Tavascan, the ascent is 10.2 km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 592 meters. The average gradient is 5.80%. South the refuge, a ski-station service road climbs up to 2.198m (7,211ft) above the sea level, to the Tavascan station chairlift. The slope is very steep, consists of loose stones and becomes even steeper and rocky in the upper part. This trail can be done only a very narrow time-frame in the summer (end of August). The wind is usually quite strong at mountain areas. High winds blow here all year long. Pic: Pensat en 360, Barcelona Cerro de Los Murciélagos Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.