Where is Apivanak Yaylası?
Turkey, europe
15.6 km
2,523 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've found a hidden gem nestled high in northeastern Turkey: Apivanak Yaylası! This high mountain plateau sits pretty at a cool 8,277 feet above sea level, right inside the stunning Kaçkar Mountains National Park.
Getting there is half the fun, if you're into that sort of thing. The road to the top? Completely unpaved. Think narrow, steep, and with some serious drop-offs that'll make your palms sweat. Trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one.
The road stretches for about 9.69 miles, climbing steadily with an average gradient . You'll gain a fair bit of elevation along the way. But the views? Totally worth it. Imagine yourself cruising through unreal scenery, far from the tourist traps. Apivanak Yaylası is where it's at!
Road Details
- Country
- Turkey
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 15.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,523 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhen was the Pustertaler Hohenstrasse road built?
🇦🇹 Austria
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along the Pustertal High Alpine Road in Tyrol, Austria, and the views are absolutely killer. Seriously, this road is a twisty-turny dream (or maybe a slightly-scary dream, depending on your comfort level!). Built way back in 1923, this free-to-drive beauty snakes for 32 km (almost 20 miles!) between Leisach and Abfaltersbach. Imagine yourself winding through meadows, dense forests, and those ridiculously charming villages you see on postcards. Now, be warned, this isn't a straight shot. We're talking countless curves and some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting up to 17%! You'll climb over 700 vertical meters, eventually topping out at 1,441m (that's over 4,700 feet!) above sea level. The best part? It's open year-round, so you can experience the Pustertal High Alpine Road in any season! Get ready for an unforgettable drive.
extremeTravel the nerve-shredding Mamisoni Pass
🇬🇪 Georgia
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for the Mamison Pass! This insane road straddles the border between Georgia and Russia's North Ossetia–Alania, clocking in at a dizzying 9,304 feet above sea level. Nestled inside the Racha-Lechkhum-Kvemo Svaneti National Park, it’s part of the old North Ossetian Military Road, linking Kutaisi to Alagir. Spanning almost 21 miles from Shovi, Georgia, to Kamskho, Russia, this isn't your Sunday drive. Forget pavement; you're talking super narrow, hairpin turns, bone-jarring bumps, and seriously steep sections hitting gradients of up to 17%! The scenery? Epic! You're smack-dab in the heart of the Greater Caucasus, at what some consider the Europe/Asia border. The cherry on top? A meteo station chilling near the 9,340-foot summit. Word to the wise: this is 4x4 territory, and it's only open for a few glorious months when the snow gods give us a break. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
moderateWhere is Vale Street?
🇬🇧 England
Okay, picture this: you're in Totterdown, a quirky suburb of Bristol in the southwest of England, and you stumble upon Vale Street. Forget gentle slopes – this isn't your average residential street. We're talking seriously steep. This little paved climb is only about 200 meters long, but in that short distance, it gains a whopping 17 meters in elevation! That's an average gradient of 22%, but at its steepest, it hits a butt-clenching 25.6%. Seriously, it's like driving or walking up a ski slope. This road, only 427 feet in length from Park Street to Balmain Street, is so intense that residents park their cars sideways to stop them from rolling away! And when the ice hits? Forget about it – cars get tethered to lampposts. Lined with charming terraced houses and steps for the brave pedestrians, Vale Street is a favorite with cyclists looking for a lung-busting challenge. If you're up for an adventure (and maybe a serious leg workout), this street offers a driving or walking experience you won't soon forget.
extremeA curvy road with 75 hairpin turns to Colle della Lombarda
🇮🇹 Italy
Col de la Lombarde-Colle della Lombarda is a seriously epic high mountain pass sitting at 2,354m (7,723ft) right on the border between Italy and France. It's the perfect gateway connecting the Alpes-Maritimes in southeastern France with the Province of Cuneo over in Italy's Piedmont region. Perched high above the Isola 2000 ski resort in the Alps, this road is absolutely wild — we're talking 75 wickedly sharp hairpin turns on a completely paved road that demands serious respect. The French call it the M97, while the Italians know it as Strada Provinciale 255 (SP255). Since its completion in 1971, it's been a summer-only adventure for most vehicles. Plan on spending about 1 to 1.5 hours driving it without stopping. The views? Absolutely stunning. You'll spot remnants of WWII scattered around the upper sections — blockhouses and barracks that tell their own stories. There's a small parking area at the summit where you can catch your breath. The full route stretches 41.6 km (25.84 miles) from Isola on the French side down to Vinadio in Italy, running south to north. Oh, and this is a proper bucket-list pass — the Tour de France didn't tackle it until 2008. Fair warning though: some sections hit a gnarly 17% gradient, so you'll definitely feel your engine working for every meter of elevation gained.