Surviving Chicago's Winter Roads: Tips for Group Travelers
Iceland, europe
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: a winding ribbon of asphalt called the Million Dollar Highway. It's a 25-mile stretch of U.S. 550 in southwest Colorado, linking Ouray and Silverton. Don't let the name fool you; it's not about luxury, but the insane cost of building it back in the day!
You're talking some serious elevation gains here—hitting over 11,000 feet at Red Mountain Pass. The views? Absolutely mind-blowing! Think towering peaks, colorful cliffs, and plunging valleys. But hold on, because this beauty comes with a price.
We're talking hairpin turns that'll make your head spin, steep drop-offs with zero guardrails in places (yikes!), and the constant threat of rockslides and avalanches. Basically, you need to keep your eyes glued to the road and your wits about you.
So, if you're up for an adrenaline-pumping drive with scenery that'll knock your socks off, the Million Dollar Highway is calling your name. Just remember to take it slow, stay focused, and maybe say a little prayer before you start!
Where is it?
Surviving Chicago's Winter Roads: Tips for Group Travelers is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 64.9019, -17.5361
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 64.9019, -17.5361
Related Roads in europe
hardThe Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Campo de Las Danzas
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, folks, buckle up for Campo de Las Danzas, a totally rad mountain pass chilling at 1,448 meters (that's 4,750 feet!) up in León, Spain. You'll find it nestled right where El Bierzo and La Cabrera meet, and getting there is half the adventure. The road, LE-158/4, is a twisty-turny dream, with seven hairpin turns to keep you on your toes. Keep an eye out though, rockslides and landslides can happen, so stay alert! They finally paved the whole thing in 2018, which is great news. This road has been around since 1914, and it was supposed to connect Ponferrada with Puebla de Sanabria, but they never finished it. Starting in San Esteban de Valdueza, it's a 14.15 km climb to the top, with an average gradient of 6% – but don’t get complacent, some ramps crank it up to 12%! You'll be driving right alongside some jaw-dropping cliffs. Before you go, peep the weather forecast, because things can get dicey up there. And when winter hits and the snow starts falling, watch out – it gets slippery!
hardZeblasjoch
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Zeblasjoch: Austria & Switzerland's Thrilling Alpine Challenge Ready for some serious alpine adventure? Zeblasjoch sits pretty at 2,535m (8,316ft) right on the border between Austria and Switzerland, nestled in the heart of the Samnaun Alps. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—we're talking raw, untamed mountain roads here. The route to the summit is all gravel and rocky terrain that'll test your skills with its tippy, bumpy sections. Fair warning: Mother Nature calls the shots most of the year, so expect closures from October through June depending on conditions. If you're not an experienced off-roader, this pass will humble you quickly. Seriously, a 4x4 is basically non-negotiable for this one. The scenery is absolutely worth the effort, but watch out for sudden thunderstorms—they can turn a challenging gravel road into a full-on four-wheel-drive obstacle course in minutes, or shut it down entirely. Once you hit those first switchbacks, things get steep fast, so make sure you've got the skills and the right vehicle before committing. This is a road for the hardcore adventurers, the ones who live for technical mountain driving. If unpaved alpine roads make you nervous, save this one for later when you've built up your experience. But if you're ready? Zeblasjoch delivers an unforgettable Alpine experience.
extremeThe Road to Rifugio Cornisello in the Alps is Not for Timid Drivers
🇮🇹 Italy
# The Wild Ride to Rifugio Cornisello Looking for one of Italy's most heart-pounding drives? Head to the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region and buckle up for the road to Rifugio Cornisello, sitting pretty at 2,160m (7,086ft) in the stunning Parco Naturale Adamello Brenta Geoparco. This beast of a road was carved out in the 1950s to support dam construction near the Cornisello lakes, and it's earned its reputation as Italy's most nerve-wracking drive. Starting from Sant'Antonio di Mavignola at 1,077m, you're looking at a 12.3 km (7.64 miles) climb that'll gain you 1,109m of elevation—that's a punchy 9.01% average gradient, folks. What awaits you? Seventeen hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills, mostly on paved asphalt that's in fair condition (though potholes and water can surprise you). The real kicker? A pitch-black, unlit one-lane tunnel mid-climb that's genuinely terrifying. Add in the narrow lanes, minimal guardrails except on the gnarliest curves, and that rough, unpaved final stretch, and you've got yourself a serious challenge. Fair warning: this road is only passable from July to September when the snow clears. Come October, it's locked up tight until June. Plus, tourist season brings crowds and inexperienced drivers, cranking up the difficulty even more. But here's the payoff—those epic views of the Brenta Group are absolutely worth every white-knuckle moment. Mountain refuges pepper the route if you need to catch your breath and soak in the Alpine scenery.
hardIs the track to Pico Agujas unpaved?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I just found the ultimate off-road experience in León, Spain. Picture this: you're in Castile and León, ready to conquer Pico Agujas, a 2,101m (6,893ft) peak. Forget smooth tarmac; this baby is ALL unpaved. It’s actually a service road for the San Isidro ski resort chairlift, so you know it's gonna be epic. Think hairpin turns galore and gradients that'll make your engine sweat. Seriously, a 4x4 isn't just recommended, it’s essential! The route kicks off from the Aparcamiento Sector Cebolledo parking lot and stretches for just 3.8 km (2.36 miles), but don't let the short distance fool you. You'll climb a whopping 406m, averaging a crazy 10.68% gradient! You're smack-dab in the Redes Natural Park, so the scenery is gonna be out of this world. Just a heads-up: this road is usually snowed in from October to June, so plan your trip accordingly. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!