The Burway is a dangerously steep drive in Shropshire
England, europe
7.88 km
488 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Shropshire, in the UK's West Midlands, ready to tackle the legendary Burway! This isn't just any drive; it's an experience.
Starting near the charming market town of Church Stretton, this paved ribbon of road snakes its way up to the top of Long Mynd, a mountain plateau that reaches a whopping 488 meters (1,601 feet) high. The views from the summit? Absolutely breathtaking, stretching across Shropshire and beyond. Trust me, you'll want to have your camera ready.
But here's the thing: The Burway is not for the faint of heart. It's narrow, seriously narrow – like, one-car-wide-in-places narrow. And steep! We're talking gradients up to 20% in sections. There are sheer drops down the hillside with absolutely no barrier protection. Caravans? Forget about it. Beginners beware!
The whole adventure is about 7.88 kilometers (4.9 miles) of pure driving thrill, ending at Longmynd (where it's known as The Port Way). That initial climb out of Church Stretton is particularly intense, gaining 281 meters in just 3.24 kilometers (2.01 miles), with an average gradient of 8.6%.
Oh, and one more thing: winter. The Burway is notorious for being treacherous in winter. Deep snow makes it impassable, and even a bit of ice or frost can send you sliding over the edge. So, unless you're a seasoned pro with a serious love for white-knuckle drives, maybe save this one for a sunny day. But when the weather is right? It's an unforgettable ride.
Where is it?
The Burway is a dangerously steep drive in Shropshire is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 53.4296, -1.6207
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 7.88 km
- Max Elevation
- 488 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 53.4296, -1.6207
Related Roads in europe
hardThe road to Lac des Dix in Valais, where the tallest gravity dam in the world stands
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Lac des Dix: A Alpine Adventure Nestled high in the Swiss Alps at 2,141m (7,024ft), Lac des Dix is a stunning high-altitude lake tucked away in Valais's Val d'Hérens. This is where serious mountain scenery meets impressive human ingenuity. The main attraction? The Grande Dixence Dam—an absolute beast of engineering that holds the title of world's tallest gravity dam. Built between 1951 and 1965, this 285m (935ft) concrete giant collects glacial meltwater from a whopping 35 surrounding glaciers in the Zermatt region. It's genuinely awe-inspiring, and you can actually visit it yourself from mid-June through September. Getting there is half the fun. The fully paved access road climbs 17.4 km (10.81 miles) from the village of Hérémence, and the last 5 kilometers? Pure hairpin turn heaven. These aren't gentle curves—they're steep, dramatic switchbacks that'll get your adrenaline pumping as you wind toward the dam's base. A parking area waits at the end for you to catch your breath (and the views). Fair warning though: this road is strictly a summer affair. It shuts down from October through mid-June when winter weather takes over the mountain passes, so plan your visit for the warmer months when conditions allow safe passage.
moderateRoad trip guide: Conquering the paved San Marco Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo San Marco Nestled in the Bergamo Alps of Lombardy, Passo San Marco is a stunning mountain pass that sits pretty at 1,985m (6,512ft) above sea level. Straddling the boundary between Bergamo and Sondrio provinces in northern Italy, this route is pure Alpine charm. The pass is served by Strada Statale 470, which was originally designated as Strada Provinciale 8 (SP8) until 2021. The road itself was built in the post-WWII years, but here's the cool part—it follows an ancient route that's been connecting Lombardy to the Grisons area since the late 16th century. Along the way, you'll find Ca San Marco, a historic refuge built around 1830m that once provided shelter and care to weary travelers braving winter conditions. It's a humble reminder of how adventurous (and dangerous!) mountain travel used to be. The 24.2 km (15.03 miles) route runs south-north from Mezzoldo in Bergamo to Albaredo per San Marco in Sondrio, and it's completely paved with gentle grades—the steepest section tops out at just 10%, making it surprisingly accessible. Heavy trucks are banned here, keeping the road quiet and enjoyable for regular travelers. The summit even has a couple of monuments worth checking out, and it's popular enough to have earned its spot in the Giro d'Italia cycling race.
hardCollado Chaquetas, a chillout road in high mountains
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the heart of Andalucia, Spain, in Granada province, ready to tackle the epic Collado Chaquetas pass! This isn't your average Sunday drive – we're talking serious elevation here, topping out at 1,801 meters (5,908 feet)! Tucked away in the stunning Sierra Nevada National Park, this unpaved road is best saved for late spring through early fall. Trust me, you don't want to mess with mountain roads and snowdrifts unless you're properly equipped. Speaking of which, an SUV or all-road vehicle is your best bet for conquering this beast. The views are absolutely insane – get ready for panoramic shots of the snow-capped peaks of Mulhacén and Veleta. Seriously, your Instagram will thank you. Just a heads-up: stick to daytime driving, as night trips aren't recommended. And be prepared for some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting up to 15% in places!
hardThe breathtaking road to Costila Peak in the Bucegi Mountains
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Vârful Coștila in Romania's Muntenia region – we're heading high into the Prahova County mountains! This isn't your average Sunday drive; we're talking about one of the highest points you can reach by road in the whole country, topping out at 2,485 meters (8,152 feet)! You'll find this gem nestled in the heart of the Bucegi Natural Park, and you absolutely can't miss the massive television tower, Releul Coștila, perched right at the summit. This tower is a beast, adding another 84 meters to the height, making it the tallest artificial structure in Romania! Now, getting there is part of the adventure. Forget your sports car because the 8.2 km (5.09 miles) of DJ713 is totally unpaved and seriously steep, gaining 560 meters from where the paved TransBucegi ends. You're looking at an average gradient of 6.82%, so a 4WD is essential. Heads up, this road is usually closed from late October until late June or early July due to snow. In the past, the radio and television relay was guarded by a military unit. Today, access to the relay building is restricted by a fence around the construction.