What are the highest roads in Turkey?
Turkey, europe
N/A
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extreme
Year-round
# Discover Turkey's Epic Mountain Roads
Turkey is an absolute beast when it comes to dramatic geography. Straddling Europe and Asia, this country is basically all mountains—seriously, one glance at the map and you'll see why. Sure, there are some gorgeous coastlines along the Black Sea and Mediterranean, but the real action happens inland on those towering peaks.
The Anatolian Peninsula is sandwiched between two absolute giants: the Pontic Alps hugging the north and the Taurus Mountains dominating the south. Between them? Vast, sprawling high-altitude plateaus that'll take your breath away. This wild terrain means the roads here aren't your typical highway cruises—they're engineering marvels that twist and turn through some of the world's most stunning (and challenging) mountain passes.
If you're a road-tripping adrenaline junkie, Turkey is calling your name. These routes will test your driving skills while rewarding you with some of the most incredible scenery on the planet.
Ready to find out which stretches rank as the highest asphalted roads in the country? Explore our interactive map and dive into an adventure across some of the world's most spectacular drives.
Got a killer road you think deserves the spotlight? We're always hunting for hidden gems. Share your suggestion with us—your next favorite drive might just make it onto our collection!
Where is it?
What are the highest roads in Turkey? is located in Turkey (europe). Coordinates: 39.5054, 34.6172
Road Details
- Country
- Turkey
- Continent
- europe
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 39.5054, 34.6172
Related Roads in europe
hardTravel Guide to Col du Plateau Rosa in the Alps
🇮🇹 Italy
# Col du Plateau Rosa Ready for an adventure that'll test both your vehicle and your nerve? Col du Plateau Rosa sits pretty at a whopping 3,088m (10,131ft) in Italy's Aosta Valley, making it one of Europe's most extreme mountain passes. Starting from the town of Paquier, you're looking at a 12.3 km (7.64 miles) ride that climbs 1,529m with an average gradient of 12.43% — yeah, it's steep. And here's the catch: the entire route is unpaved, so you'll absolutely need a 4x4 to even attempt this beast. This isn't a Sunday cruise; it's a serious mountain challenge. The road winds its way up through the stunning Alps, eventually reaching Cime Bianche as it snakes toward the summit. Fair warning though — come winter, this pass becomes completely impassable, so you'll need to time your visit during the warmer months. But hey, the views? Totally worth it. And once you reach the top, you can reward yourself at Ristorante Ventina for some well-deserved Italian hospitality. The road itself doubles as a service route for a chairlift, so you know the area takes its Alpine credentials seriously.
extremePort d’Aula is one of the most beautiful roads of the Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Port d'Aulà: A High-Alpine Adventure in the Pyrenees Perched at 2,265 meters (7,431 feet) in the heart of the Pyrenees, Port d'Aulà marks the border between France and Spain—connecting Ariège in southwestern France with Lleida in Catalonia. But this mountain pass is more than just a scenic viewpoint; it's a place steeped in history. During Spain's Civil War (1936-1939), desperate refugees fleeing Franco's regime scrambled across these peaks toward France, only to face grim conditions in overcrowded camps. Decades later, French Jews would reverse the journey, using this same route to escape the Nazis during World War II. The mountains have witnessed both hope and heartbreak. Today, the French side offers something truly special: the Route Forestiere du Port d'Aulà. Built in the 1970s and remaining unpaved, this road is a serious contender for one of the Pyrenees' most stunning drives. But don't mistake "beautiful" for "easy." Starting from Couflens, you're looking at a relentless 17.8-kilometer (11-mile) climb with nearly 1,600 meters of elevation gain. The road pitches up to a brutal 12.9% gradient with 43 hairpin turns that demand respect—it's so narrow that two cars simply can't pass. The final stretch? That's reserved for foot traffic and mountain bikers only. As you wind your way up, the Etang de Prat Matau and Etang d'Areau—pristine alpine lakes—will reward your effort with views that make every hairpin turn worthwhile. The Spanish side, by contrast, has no road to the summit at all, making the French approach the only way to reach this isolated high-altitude crossing.
hardGroßglockner-Hochalpenstraße
🇦🇹 Austria
Austria's mountain roads are calling, and you NEED to answer! Picture this: hairpin turns clinging to cliffs, majestic peaks piercing the sky, and views that'll make your jaw drop. This country is a driver's dream, offering an unforgettable alpine adventure. Get ready to ascend beyond the ordinary on roads like the Großglockner-Hochalpenstraße (open May-Oct, maxes out at a breathtaking 2,504m with gradients up to 12%) slicing through Salzburg and Carinthia. For year-round thrills, hit the road that summits at 1,732m with gradients of 10%. Alternatively, there's the road topping 1,628m, another open all year! Or perhaps the one climbing to 2,042m (open May-Oct). The Goldeck Panorama Road (open May-Oct, peaks at 1,895m) is another must. Don't miss the Silvretta Hochalpenstraße (open June-Oct, hitting 2,032m), or the Kaunertal Glacier Road (open year-round, soaring to 2,750m). Then there’s the Timmelsjoch Alpine Road (open June-Oct, reaching 2,479m), Schlegeis Alpenstraße (open May-Oct, topping out at 1,806m) followed by the other year round route reaching 1,920m. The Pustertal High Alpine Road, open year-round, will get you up to 1,441m while the Zillertaler Höhenstraße (open May-Oct) delivers views from 2,020m. Expect winding paths, and pure alpine bliss! These routes offer an incredible chance to experience Austria's beauty from a whole new perspective. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road – those views are distracting!
moderateWhere is Kop Dağı Geçidi?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Kop Dağı Geçidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.423m (7,949ft) above sea level located on the boundary between Bayburt and Erzurum provinces, in Turkey. Where is Kop Dağı Geçidi? Set high on the eastern part of the country, it is an important passage separating the Eastern Anatolia Region and the Black Sea Region. Traffic is equally intense. Is Kop Dağı Geçidi paved? The road to the summit is entirely paved (in pretty bad conditions). It’s called D915, part of the European Route 97. It’s pretty steep. It is difficult to keep the pass open to traffic during the winters because of the harsh weather conditions due to high altitude. Due the dangerous weather conditions, a new tunnel is being built to bypass the most defiant parts of the pass. How long is Kop Dağı Geçidi? The pass road is 24.9km (15.47 miles) long, running north-south from Çalıdere (Bayburt Province) to Bozburun (Erzurum Province). Is Kop Dağı Geçidi worth it? At the summit, there’s a memorial (Kop Şehitler Abidesi). The Kop Martyrs Monument was built on the summit of Kop Mountain in 1963 in memory of the soldiers who resisted the enemy in the Kop Pass and Coruh Basin in 1916 and were martyred in this resistance. In the construction of the monument, generally cut stone and occasionally concrete and marble were used. Not far from the summit, there’s a bar-restaurant. If you've got your own vehicle, it's worth stopping for the views. The Road to Yagdonduran Gecidi in Sivas: A Challenging Winter Journey Take the Scenic Route and Discover Cam Pass in the Black Sea region 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.