Where is Great Dun Fell?
England, europe
7.29 km
848 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, buckle up, because Great Dun Fell in Cumbria, England is calling! This place boasts the UK's highest paved road, clocking in at a whopping 848m (2,782ft) above sea level.
Nestled in the stunning North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this peak is remote. Heads up though: keep an eye out for any restricted access signs due to military activity.
So, what's at the top? A radar station that's seriously important for air traffic control in the north. You can spot those radar domes from miles away. Fun fact: that road exists because they needed a way to get to the station!
The climb from Knock is just over 7km (around 4.5 miles), but don't let the distance fool you. This is a legendary climb for cyclists, known as one of the toughest in England, sometimes called the "_[something]_ of the North Pennines" . We're talking an average gradient of 8.1%, with sections hitting a brutal 16%! Prepare for some seriously steep ramps.
Can you drive it? Sadly, no. The paved road is private beyond Knock, so leave the car behind. But walkers, cyclists, and horse riders, you're in luck! It's open to you!
Word to the wise: being high up in the Pennines means harsh weather. Winter brings tons of snow, and black ice is a real risk. So, if you're heading up in the colder months, be extra careful.
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 7.29 km
- Max Elevation
- 848 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremeHow to Get to Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in Great Britain?
🇬🇧 England
Craving a pint with a view? Head to the Tan Hill Inn in North Yorkshire, the highest pub in Great Britain! Nestled way up in the Yorkshire Dales near Keld, this 17th-century gem sits at a whopping 1,732 feet above sea level. Picture this: stunning Swaledale scenery all around, and you, enjoying a drink in a pub that's miles from anywhere (almost 11 miles from Kirkby Stephen!). Getting there is half the adventure. The fully paved Regional Route 71 (aka Pennine Way) stretches for about 20.4 miles from Reeth to Brough. But don't let the "paved" part fool you! This isolated road, winding through desolate moors, valleys, and hills, throws some serious challenges your way. Think steep climbs, narrow passages, and weather that can turn treacherous in a heartbeat. Located right on the Pennine Way, the Tan Hill Inn is no stranger to snow, fog, and biting cold. This isn't a trip for the faint of heart, but the views and the bragging rights are totally worth it!
hardA drivable track to the summit of Col del Sommeiller
🇫🇷 France
# Col del Sommeiller Want to tackle one of Europe's most epic high-altitude drives? Meet Col del Sommeiller, sitting pretty at 2,993m (9,819ft) on the French-Italian border in the Alpi Cozie. This isn't just any mountain pass—it's a serious alpine adventure. The journey starts in Bardonecchia, Italy, and climbs 26 kilometers of pure mountain magic. You're rewarded with hairpin after hairpin, stunning alpine dams, and a jaw-dropping turquoise lake waiting for you at the summit. The whole thing gains 1,711 meters with an average grade of 6.5% (though it can hit a gnarly 19% in places). Fair warning: the views are genuinely spectacular, but the road demands respect. Here's the deal with the drive: Only the first 6km is paved—and not even well-paved. The remaining 20km is rocky, unforgiving terrain that'll test your driving skills. You'll want a 4x4 for this one, no question. The surface stays mostly drivable until you hit the final stretch near the summit, where things get pretty gnarly and disconnected. The pass carries some serious history too. It's named after Germain Sommellier, the engineer behind the legendary Fréjus railway tunnel that opened in 1871—and yep, you start your climb right where that tunnel begins. A heads-up: this road is brutally seasonal. Expect it to be completely closed from late October through late June, with snow clearing not happening until late July. Even when it's open, Bardonecchia restricts traffic on Thursdays from July through September to protect the road. This is pure, unfiltered mountain driving. Bring your A-game and a solid vehicle.
extremeDare to drive the dangerous Kemaliye Stone Road above the Euphrates river
🇹🇷 Turkey
# Kemaliye Taş Yolu: Turkey's Wild Stone Road Adventure Want to test your driving skills? The Kemaliye Taş Yolu in Turkey's Eastern Anatolia is calling your name—if you've got the nerves for it. Carved into the Munzur Mountains along the border between İliç and Kemaliye districts, this 8.7km unpaved beauty winds through a gorge carved by the Euphrates River. We're talking about the second-largest canyon in the world, with jaw-dropping drops of up to 600 meters—no guardrails, no safety net. Just you, the road, and the void. It's become legendary among base jumpers and adrenaline junkies for good reason. What makes this road truly special? It's almost entirely handmade. Locals spent over 130 years—from 1870 until 2002—literally chiseling this path through solid rock with their own hands. Construction often stopped for decades at a time, and you can see why when you actually drive it. The authorities thought it was too expensive to build. So the villagers did it themselves. Today, you'll navigate 38 unlit tunnels and countless sharp bends while perched on a ridge just 2 meters wide, staring down at the river hundreds of meters below. At the entrance bridge, there's a sobering memorial listing those who didn't survive the construction. This isn't for everyone. The road demands serious driving skills—it's impassable in winter and tricky when wet. Vehicle size limits apply (170cm width, 220cm height max), and even experienced drivers find it intense. But if you're ready for a truly unforgettable adventure, few roads on Earth compare to the raw thrill of conquering the Kemaliye Taş Yolu.
moderateF902 in the Highland of Iceland Is The Road That Has It All
🇮🇸 Iceland
Ready for an epic Icelandic adventure? Buckle up for the F902, aka Kverkfjallaleið! This isn't your Sunday drive – we're talking a seriously demanding route in southeast Iceland, smack-dab in the Highlands north of the Vatnajökull glacier. Prepare for lunar landscapes that will blow your mind. This 84 km (52-mile) stretch from the F905 to the Kverkfjöll peak is strictly 4x4 territory. Think rough, rocky terrain that demands high clearance. You'll climb to a lofty 877m (2,877ft) above sea level, making it one of Iceland's highest roads. Summer's your window – usually late June to early September. Solitude is the name of the game here. This is a remote area, so buddy up – driving solo isn't recommended. Minimal traffic, no close neighbors, and spotty cell service mean breakdowns can be a real problem. But hey, you'll be surrounded by incredible natural wonders! Located inside Vatnajökull National Park, the F902 throws river crossings your way. Experience and caution are key! Scope out the depth before you commit, as water levels can change fast with the weather. Rising water levels from rain or warm weather can make crossings downright hazardous. Only well-equipped jeeps and larger vehicles should attempt this, and definitely avoid going it alone or during heavy rain. Keep in mind that rental insurance often skips water damage. Pro tip: while daylight shows off the views, this road gets dicey after dark. Be warned!