Where is Glaubenbielen Pass?
Switzerland, europe
29.3 km
1,615 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! You HAVE to experience Glaubenbielen Pass. This high-altitude stunner sits pretty at 5,298 feet in central Switzerland, near Giswil and Flühli. Locals also call it Schwendi-Käppeli Pass.
Picture this: a winding road, carved by the Swiss army and completed just after WWII. It’s paved, thankfully, but don't get too comfy. This baby's narrow and steep – we're talking up to 18% grades as you hug the northern slope of the Fürstein! Be prepared to share the road, because you might find yourself stuck behind a tractor.
Clocking in at 18.20 miles, the pass connects Giswil (in Canton Obwalden) and Flühli (in the Lucerne district of Entlebuch). Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! The panoramic views of the Alps are insane. Heading towards Giswil, you'll be floored by the views of Lake Sarnen. Cruise toward Flühli, and the majestic Pilatus massif will steal your heart.
Oh, and did I mention it's been featured in the Tour de Suisse? Feeling ambitious? From Giswil, it's a 7.2 km climb, gaining 530 meters at an average of 7.3%. From Flühli, brace yourself for an 8.3 km haul, ascending 520 meters at a 6.3% average. Trust me, the views are worth the burn!
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 29.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,615 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Tunnel Dingac?
🇭🇷 Croatia
Cruising the Pelješac Peninsula in Dalmatia, Croatia? Get ready for a wild ride through Tunnel Dingac! Seriously, this feels like driving straight into a mine shaft. You'll find this quirky tunnel chilling on the coastal road between Potomje (wine lovers, take note!) and Trstenik. Think of it as a shortcut to paradise, because the exit unveils a view worth a million bucks. Imagine endless vineyards cascading down steep slopes – we're talking a 45-degree angle! Pop out the other side (if you're coming from Potomje) and BAM! Prepare for a panoramic punch to the gut. Mljet, Korčula, a scattering of islands… it's postcard perfection. And you’re smack-dab in Dingač country, the first protected wine region in Croatia. This hand-dug tunnel has a story. Back in '73, local winemakers chipped in to build it, wanting a direct route to haul their grapes. Before? Picture donkeys lugging massive baskets of grapes over a 400m high mountain pass. Some winemakers *still* use donkeys and horses for the harvest – those slopes are too steep for machines! The tunnel itself? Just 400m long, paved, and punches straight through the rocky hillside. It’s a one-way deal, so the local rule is simple: no headlights coming your way? Go for it! See lights? Pull over and wait. Word of warning: it’s unlit, narrow, and dark. If you're claustrophobic, maybe skip this one. But if you're up for a unique adventure, Tunnel Dingac is an unforgettable taste of Croatia.
hard6 Incredible Sky-High Roads in Romania That Will Take Your Breath Away
🇷🇴 Romania
# Six Epic Romanian Mountain Roads That'll Make Your Road Trip Bucket List Romania is seriously calling your name. Hidden in the heart of Europe, this country serves up some of the most stunning drives you'll find anywhere on the continent. We're talking dramatic Carpathian curves, sweeping Danube vistas, and mountain passes that'll have you pulling over constantly for photos. Trust us—bring extra camera battery. These roads are the real deal. Some are smooth and well-maintained, while others feel a bit rough around the edges (thanks to tight local budgets), but that's part of the charm. Here are six high-altitude drives that deserve a spot on your travel list. **Transalpina Road (DN67C)** holds the crown as Romania's highest. Stretching 146 km across the Carpathians, this 2,145m beauty has serious credentials—it started as a Roman route, got paved in the 1930s, and was even touched up during WWII. The locals have always called this stretch "Poteca Dracului" (the Devil's Path), and once you drive it, you'll understand why it's so legendary. **Transfăgărăşan (DN7C)** is the drama queen of Romanian roads. This second-highest paved route is 90 km of pure adrenaline, cutting north-south through the Southern Carpathians with relentless twists. Built during the Communist era (1970-1974) as a military highway, it features Romania's longest road tunnel at 887 meters. The views? Absolutely jaw-dropping. **TransBucegi** reaches 1,925 meters and might just be Romania's most scenic drive. Wind through the Bucegi Natural Park in the south-central region and soak in sweeping mountain vistas without ever leaving your seat. **TransRarau Road** (nicknamed the "Treasures Road") is often called Romania's third-most beautiful alpine drive. This 26 km route climbs to 1,400m, connecting the villages of Chiril and Pojorata. It used to be pretty rough, but after a 2014 makeover, the asphalt is now pristine. **Transursoaia Road (DN1R)** cuts through the Apuseni Mountains in the north for 80 km of mixed asphalt and gravel. Cresting at 1,324m, this one's a real adventure—though heads up: it's typically closed from May to October depending on weather conditions. **TransSemenic (DJ582)** runs 58.4 km east-west through the Semenic Mountains at 1,004m elevation. Fully paved since 2014, this one stays open year-round (except during heavy snowfall). It's your most accessible high-altitude option. Ready to hit the road? Each of these drives offers something special—pick your adventure and hit the gas.
moderateDriving the paved road to Wurzen Pass in the Limestone Alps
🇦🇹 Austria
Wurzenpass-Korensko Sedlo sits pretty at 1,073 meters (3,520 feet) right on the Austrian-Slovenian border, connecting Carinthia with Slovenia's Upper Carniola region. This mountain pass has serious history—traders were already using it back in the 15th century, and the first proper road rolled through in 1734. Today, you'll find this fully paved route carved through the stunning Karawanks mountains in the Southern Limestone Alps. Known as B109 Wurzenpass Straße on the Austrian side and Slovenian highway No. 201 across the border, it's an 11.2-kilometer drive linking the Austrian town of Radendorf to the Slovenian village of Kranjska Gora (sitting on the Sava Dolinka River). Fair warning: this isn't your straightforward mountain drive. The road is seriously twisty with some intense grades hitting 18 percent—your brakes will definitely get a workout. Summer is peak season here since it's one of the most popular crossings between the two countries, so expect plenty of company on the pavement, especially in warm months. But if you're after gorgeous Alpine scenery mixed with a bit of driving challenge, this pass delivers.
moderateThe inhumane climb to Dowgang Hush with 17% ramps
🇬🇧 England
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits! Dowgang Hush, sitting pretty at 600m (almost 2,000ft), is a proper lung-buster in Cumbria, North West England. Think of it as one of the UK's loftiest drives! Winding through the stunning North Pennines, this paved ribbon of road is definitely on the skinny side. Brace yourself for exposure – it's windy practically all year round! Locals know this climb well, and trust me, it's known as a beast. The ascent kicks off from Nenthead, one of England's highest villages, just off the 689. It's a short but brutal 1.6km (1 mile) grind, but you'll gain 158 meters in elevation. That’s nearly a 10% average gradient, and hold on tight, because it ramps up to a leg-burning 16% in places!