When was Flexen Pass in Austria built?
Austria, europe
15.6 km
1,781 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Vorarlberg on Road 198, also known as the Flexenpass, a seriously cool mountain pass that tops out at 1,781m (5,843ft). This isn't just some quick hop over a hill, though. We're talking about a 15.6 km (9.69 miles) stretch of winding road connecting Warth to Stuben am Arlberg.
Expect some steep sections – some ramps max out at a 10% gradient! And get this: near the summit, the road dives into this super old, 1.550m long avalanche tunnel called the Flexengalerie. The road in that tunnel is in bad condition and the ceiling is made of old oak wood! It's one lane only, so a traffic light keeps things moving.
Speaking of, keep an eye on the weather if you're heading up here, because even though they keep the road open in winter, short-term closures are common. The summit is also home to a parking lot and a small snack bar (Restaurant Flexenhäusl). If you're not stopping, expect the trip to take between 25 and 30 minutes. Get ready for some incredible views of the Austrian Alps!
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 15.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,781 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateTaking on the Twists and Turns of Gorges de la Mescla
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Alpes-Maritimes in southeastern France, wind in your hair, ready for an adventure. You're about to hit the M2205, aka Route de la Vallee de la Tinée, a totally paved road that snakes through the Gorges de la Mescla – a ridiculously scenic canyon carved by the Tinée river. This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking countless tunnels punched right through the rock, and views for days as you gaze down at the emerald river far below. The whole thing stretches for about 24 km (15 miles) from Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée up to the Grenoble road (M6202). Now, be warned: this route features a serious "balcony road" section, a narrow lane clinging to the side of sheer cliffs. It's not for the faint of heart, especially if you're afraid of heights! Just imagine what it was like before they put up the barriers... This road used to be an old military road to Fort de Dormillouse!
hardHow Long is Tindevegen?
🇳🇴 Norway
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Norway's Sogn og Fjordane county, heading for the legendary Jotunheimen. You're about to hit Tindevegen, and trust me, it lives up to its nickname, "Roof of Norway"! This 32 km (20 mile) stretch of pure driving bliss runs between Øvre Årdal and Turtagrø. Open usually from May to November, this toll road (don't worry, it's automatic) is perfect for cars, RVs, and even smaller buses. Get ready for some seriously epic scenery as you climb to 1,322m (4,337ft) – one of the highest points you can reach by road in the whole country. Now, "The High Peaks Road" isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s fully paved, yes, but be prepared for narrow sections, some seriously steep climbs (we're talking gradients up to 12.5%!), and hairpin turns galore. But oh, the views! Jotunheimen's mountains stretch out before you, and you'll catch glimpses of the majestic Sognefjord. It's a panoramic feast for the eyes, and a shortcut between Bergen and Trondheim. If you're up for an unforgettable drive through Norway's high country, Tindevegen is calling your name.
extremeWhat are the 10 most haunted roads of Spain?
🇪🇸 Spain
# Spain's Most Mysterious Roads: Where Legend Meets the Pavement Spain's road network has a reputation for something you won't find in any official guide—stretches of highway that drivers swear they'll avoid after dark. These aren't just dangerous roads; they're the stuff of genuine folklore, where travelers report spine-tingling encounters that have inspired local legends for generations. Ghost stories on remote roads are nothing new. Every continent has them, and they all follow a similar pattern: they happen at night, they happen in isolated places, and they tap into something primal about driving alone through darkness. Spain has plenty of these "cursed" stretches, and some have genuinely eerie histories to back them up. **Cuesta de las Doblas** holds a grim distinction. This 2.3-kilometer section of the old N-431 highway (between kilometers 568-570) has been plagued by tragedy since 1937. Over a hundred deaths have occurred here, thanks largely to a poorly designed curve that's claimed countless lives. Naturally, the legends followed. Dozens of drivers report seeing a girl in a red jacket hitchhiking frantically just before the bend—a classic phantom of a tragic location. The twisted roads through **Las Hurdes** in Extremadura are another hotbed of paranormal claims. Beyond the typical ghostly women in old-fashioned clothes, locals speak of wailing phantom babies, cemetery spirits, and red-eyed creatures chasing vehicles through the desolate landscape. The isolation here definitely helps the creepy atmosphere. The **N-340 at Sant Carles de la Rápita** (Tarragona) near the Los Alfaques campsite is haunted by a real tragedy. On July 11, 1978, a propylene tanker exploded here, killing 243 people in a horrific fireball. Since then, countless drivers have reported seeing expressionless figures—men, women, children—standing motionless on the roadside, staring blankly as traffic passes. Are they ghosts or just the power of suggestion in a place marked by unimaginable suffering? **AS-17 in Valparaíso** (Extremadura) doesn't get as much attention, but it generates plenty of reports. Drivers describe a dark-haired woman with a vacant stare who suddenly appears from behind roadside signs, looking disoriented. This area has been considered cursed since the 11th century, but the modern legend dates to the 1950s when it became associated with a First Communion girl who vanished there, supposedly thrown from a horse-drawn carriage by a pack of wolves. Today, motorists claim to see her ghost in her white dress, rosary in hand. Near **kilometer 174 of the A-5**, the tale grows even older. The story goes back centuries to when a girl died mysteriously during her First Communion journey—wolves spooked the carriage, the horse bolted, and she disappeared. When similar tragedies struck in the 1950s at the same location, Valparaíso officially earned its reputation as cursed ground. One unnamed stretch has earned the grim nickname **"the death stretch"**—just 2 kilometers long with a particularly deadly kilometer 32 marked by crosses and flowers. Despite good visibility and solid asphalt, accidents cluster inexplicably here. Some blame monotony; others point to the ghost of a 17-year-old girl hit and killed here decades ago, her body supposedly dumped in a nearby lagoon. Red stains on the pavement persist, unexplained by any weathering or cleaning. The **Engaña tunnel entrance** in Cantabria carries dark history. Built by political prisoners during Franco's regime, hundreds died constructing this rail link. The tunnel was abandoned incomplete, but the legends never were. Drivers regularly report apparitions and mysterious sounds emanating from the entrance. For 19 years, a stretch connecting **Arahal, Utrera, Montellano, and the Morón air base** has generated bizarre reports: children in school uniforms crossing hand-in-hand before vanishing, a glowing woman's face in the roadway, humanoid figures, and UFOs. The nearby presence of Spain's largest and most secretive air force base certainly fuels the mystery. **N-240 in Aragon's Jacetania region** has its own phantom: a pilgrim eternally wandering the Camino de Santiago, complete with staff and water gourd, who allegedly throws himself at passing cars. This area has been steeped in legend for centuries—Holy Grail sightings, divine apparitions, the whole mystical package. Finally, the **ruins of La Mussara** in Catalonia held the title of most haunted Catalan road until Los Alfaques claimed it. The setting's almost deliberately creepy: permanent fog, relentless wind, complete isolation. It's hosted satanic ritual stories, disappearances, time anomalies, and strange creature encounters for centuries. Intriguingly, actual electromagnetic interference has been scientifically measured here. Whether these phenomena are ghosts, legends, or psychological effects of desolate roads at night remains deliciously uncertain. One thing's sure: Spain's supernatural roads continue to inspire wonder—and plenty of nervous drivers.
easyDriving the German Alpine Road, the oldest holiday route of the country
🇩🇪 Germany
# The German Alpine Road: A Bavarian Dream Drive Picture this: a 450-kilometer ribbon of perfectly paved road weaving through the Bavarian Alps, connecting Lake Constance to Lake Königssee along the Austrian border. That's the German Alpine Road (Alpenstraße), and it's genuinely one of those drives that lives up to the hype. Built in the 1930s and finally completed in 1960, this scenic route has earned its reputation as Germany's oldest holiday drive. Sure, you *could* blast through it in 5-6 hours, but honestly? That would be missing the entire point. Most travelers spend 3-4 days exploring, and for good reason. The driving itself is a blast—think occasional climbs, satisfying curves, and long, sweeping straights that beg for a more leisurely pace. The road is totally paved with generous lanes, so you're not wrestling with anything sketchy. What you're really wrestling with is the temptation to stop at every turnout. And there's plenty to stop for. We're talking 25 castles and palaces, 64 wellness resorts, and 21 mountain lakes scattered throughout the route. The scenery is legitimately breathtaking—the kind of landscape that makes you understand why people vacation in Bavaria. Mountains frame everything, charming villages dot the route, and despite being famous, the whole thing somehow still feels wonderfully unspoiled. Whether you're into autumn colors, snowy peaks, or wildflower-filled meadows, this drive delivers year-round. It's the perfect excuse to slow down and actually experience the countryside instead of just passing through it.