
What happened in Pripyat in 1986?
Ukraine, europe
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so picture this: Lenina Avenue, right in the heart of Pripyat, Ukraine, the city tragically abandoned after the Chernobyl disaster. This road used to be *the* place to be, a bustling kilometer-long stretch connecting the entrance to the main Lenin Square, near the old Medical University.
Think wide boulevard with a central pedestrian walkway. At its end, you'd find the Energetik public clubhouse, the city's social hub. Now? Nature's reclaiming everything.
Park carefully if you can even get there – rumor has it, the traffic police are *really* bored. Trees completely line the street now, swallowing the buildings. Expect to see more wildlife than people - birds, foxes, maybe even a wolf or two! The old squares are now fruit orchards bursting with blossoms.
Keep in mind, though: this whole area is off-limits without a permit. You'll need official permission and they'll be monitoring radiation levels constantly. It's worth noting the street was used for movies, such as A Good Day to Die Hard (2013), Chernobyl Diaries (2012) and Land of Oblivion (2011).
Road Details
- Country
- Ukraine
- Continent
- europe
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardA Wild 4x4 Road to Col du Bouchet in the Massif de la Vanoise
🇫🇷 France
# Col du Bouchet: Europe's Ultimate High-Altitude Challenge Ready for one of Europe's wildest driving experiences? Col du Bouchet is a beast of a mountain pass sitting pretty at 3,004 meters (9,855 feet) in the Savoie department of southeastern France. This isn't just any peak—it's legitimately one of the highest roads you can drive in the entire continent. Nestled in the stunning Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region within the Tarentaise Valley, this route takes you up the Massif de la Vanoise range with some seriously dramatic scenery. Starting from Val Thorens Ski Resort, the adventure spans just 5.1 km (3.16 miles), but don't let that fool you—you'll be climbing 642 meters with an average gradient of 12.58%. Here's the catch: the entire road is unpaved. This is basically a glorified ski-lift service road that hugs the cable car infrastructure all the way to the station at the summit. And we're talking genuinely steep—sections hit up to 25% gradient, which means there are definitely moments of "am I really doing this?" proportions. Fair warning: this route is only accessible from July through September. The rest of the year? Completely impassable. And you'll absolutely need a 4x4—this isn't a drive for regular vehicles. If you're chasing that adrenaline rush and want to summit one of Europe's most extreme roads, Col du Bouchet should be on your bucket list.
moderateHow to Get by Car to the Stunning Veneguera Beach on Canary Islands?
🇪🇸 Spain
# Playa Veneguera: Gran Canaria's Hidden Gem Tucked away in the southwestern corner of Gran Canaria, one of Spain's Canary Islands, lies Playa Veneguera—a stunning 370-meter stretch of beach that feels like stepping back in time. This is one of those rare, genuinely untouched beaches you actually still find on the island, and trust me, it's worth the adventure to get there. The beach itself is a mix of black sand and rocks depending on the tide, framed by some seriously gorgeous landscapes. The real story here, though, is the road getting there. Fair warning: it's rough. Like, really rough. We're talking an unpaved, 12.8-kilometer (7.95-mile) journey from Veneguera that winds through banana, papaya, and mango plantations in a single-lane gravel road. You'll be shifting between first and second gear the whole way, navigating sections of sand and gravel with rocks that can pop up without warning and make the road impassable. A 4x4 with high clearance is essential—non-negotiable. The bumpy ride gets progressively worse as you approach the coast, and honestly, it's so teeth-rattling you'll barely notice the scenery flying by (which is actually pretty beautiful, if you can focus on it). But here's the thing: once you arrive, it's totally worth it. This is a genuine escape where nature lovers can actually unplug. There's no mobile phone reception out here, and help is nowhere close, so plan accordingly. The beach has been a favorite camping spot for decades, and the solitude? Absolutely priceless.
hardWhere is Strada delle Vette?
🇮🇹 Italy
Get ready for the Strada Panoramica delle Vette in Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region – it's seriously epic! You'll find this road in the Province of Udine, way up north near the Austrian border. Clocking in at 30 km (around 19 miles), it winds from Ravascletto (perfect for summer or winter getaways) to Tualis. Most of it's paved, but there's a 6 km stretch of dirt to keep things interesting. This road was built in the early 40s and gained fame from a Giro d’Italia stage. Without stops, you're looking at a 1-2 hour drive, but trust me, you'll WANT to stop! The views are incredible, so take your time, especially since the speed limit is just 30 km/h. Perched high in the Carnic Alps, part of the Dolomites, this road supposedly hits the highest elevation open to vehicles in Friuli, topping out at 1,991m (6,532ft). Heads up – it's usually closed in the winter. And definitely skip it if the weather's nasty. This drive is not for the faint of heart. Expect hairpin turns – like, 40 of them! – crazy drop-offs, and seriously narrow sections. Drive slow and hope you don't meet anything coming the other way. It's pretty much a single lane, so be aware! Leave your big SUVs and campers at home, seriously. The turns are tight, the road's steep (think 12-18% grades, with some ramps hitting 20%), and there's nowhere to hide if a storm rolls in. Honk your horn on blind turns – it could save you!
hardN232 Road is not suitable for those who get dizzy
🇵🇹 Portugal
# N232 Road: Portugal's Wild Mountain Ride Ready for a serious adrenaline rush? Head to central Portugal and tackle the N232 Road, a gloriously twisty mountain route that'll test your driving skills like nothing else. This isn't for the faint of heart – we're talking about a road with so many hairpin turns and switchbacks that most drivers wisely give it a wide berth. The good news? The pavement is solid and well-maintained, with some genuinely fun fast corners thrown in. The catch is that it's narrow in places, which adds to the intensity. You'll climb up to 1,427 meters (4,681 feet) of elevation, navigating gradients that reach 8% – those ramps really make you feel the climb. Stretching 86.6 kilometers (53.81 miles) from Mangualde to Belmonte, this scenic loop will gobble up about 2 hours of driving time if you're pushing through without breaks. But honestly? You'll probably want to stop and soak in the views. The real showstopper is the 37-kilometer (23-mile) stretch between Gouveia and Manteigas in the Guarda District. This section alone packs in over 100 turns while winding through the stunning Serra da Estrela Mountains. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking – dramatic peaks, sweeping vistas, and some seriously photogenic curves that'll make your followers jealous. If you crave curves and can handle a challenging mountain drive, this is your calling.