Olgunlar Yaylası-Hüngamek Road, recommended for drivers with strong nerves
Turkey, europe
17 km
3,090 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you find yourself in the Artvin Province of Turkey, clinging to the Black Sea coast, and you're feeling brave, I’ve got a road for you. Forget paved perfection, this is raw, untamed Turkey at its finest – the road from Olgunlar Yaylası to Hüngamek.
Clocking in at just over 10 miles, this wild ride climbs sky-high. We're talking over 10,000 feet above sea level! Think breathtaking views, but also, gulp, serious drop-offs. And hold on tight because there are 28 hairpin turns thrown in for good measure. Did I mention it’s unpaved? Yeah, you’ll definitely want a 4x4 for this steep climb. Summer is your only window of opportunity here. Trust me, this road is an experience you won't soon forget!
Road Details
- Country
- Turkey
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 17 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,090 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremeSa Calobra is the Snake Road of Mallorca
🇪🇸 Spain
# Sa Calobra Road: Mallorca's Mind-Bending Masterpiece If you've ever watched wet spaghetti hit the floor, you've basically seen the blueprint for Sa Calobra Road. This legendary route winds through northwestern Mallorca's rugged coastline, just east of Port de Sóller, and it's absolutely wild. This eight-mile stretch of paved madness (officially MA-2141) was hand-carved in 1932 by engineer Antonio Parietti without a single machine—seriously. He removed 31,000 cubic meters of rock to create this serpentine marvel, drawing inspiration from a necktie's shape to design the road's famous spiraling loops and avoid building any tunnels. The result? A 7.58-mile ribbon of asphalt that climbs to 682 meters above sea level while featuring more than 50 hairpin turns. The road's crown jewel is the legendary Nus de Sa Calobra (the Tie Knot)—a head-spinning 270-degree curve that loops under itself. It's one of only five roads in Spain with this kind of architectural audacity, and for good reason: it's seriously technical. Narrow sections, minimal guardrails, and gradients exceeding 7% make this a beast in wet conditions. Summer months bring heavy traffic, but if you take it slow (around 20 km/h), you'll have about 25-35 minutes to soak in the dramatic rocky canyons and soaring peaks. Cyclists and adrenaline junkies consider this the ultimate test. Even the film *Cloud Atlas* featured this stunner on screen.
extremeWas Objekat 505 the largest underground airport in the Balkans?
🌍 Bosnia
Okay, picture this: you're about to explore the mind-blowing Željava Air Base, hidden away on the border of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This isn't just any old abandoned place; it was *the* underground airport in the Balkans and one of Europe's biggest! Back in the day, this place was a top-secret military hub, built between 1957 and 1965 at a cost of around $6 billion (whoa!). Think of it as a super-fortified command center, built to house fighter jets and a thousand personnel, nestled deep within Plješevica Mountain. You can technically get to it, though a rotting Douglas C-47 at the entrance definitely sets the mood. But here's the thing: proceed with SERIOUS caution. While a permit from local police may help, the entire area is potentially riddled with landmines. Exploring the underground complex is even more risky, with the potential for radiation, unexploded bombs, toxic gases, and landslides. This isn't your average tourist spot! The location of Željava Air Base is eerily desolate, so extreme caution must be used when visiting the area. Local police and CPA use the area to train dogs with the use of landmines. It's a real trip. And hey, if you're into epic drives, have you heard about the road to Pločno in the Čvrsnica mountain – the "roof" of Bosnia and Herzegovina? Or maybe the route to Bjelašnica, with its 17 hairpin turns and… a slight mine risk? Adventure awaits!
extremeHow long is the road from Lefkes to Kamari on Paros island?
🇬🇷 Greece
Cruising through Paros, you absolutely HAVE to check out the road from Lefkes to Kamari! Seriously, the views are unreal. This 12km (7.45 mile) stretch winds its way north to south, offering insane coastal vistas of the Aegean Sea. Heads up, it's a bit of an adventure – mostly unpaved, with some concrete sections thrown in for good measure where things get a little steep. It's totally doable in most cars and even RVs, but be prepared for a narrow, winding route as you climb to 593m (1,945ft) above sea level. Those views though? Totally worth it.
hardWhere is Campolongo Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, buckle up, road trippers, because Campolongo Pass is calling your name! Tucked away in the Dolomites, right on the border between the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and the Province of Belluno in northern Italy, this paved beauty climbs to 6,152 feet. This isn't just any road; it's Strada Provinciale 244, a 6.21-mile stretch of pure driving bliss – and a regular on the legendary Maratona dles Dolomites! Expect some short-term winter closures, but generally, this pass is ready for action year-round. Get ready to climb 1,640 feet, with an average gradient of 5%. That initial stretch? Hairpin heaven, with punchy climbs and views that'll knock your socks off. Then, cruising past the golf course, the road chills out a bit. That final meadow section? Pure Alpine charm. Seriously, Campolongo Pass is where unforgettable driving memories are made!