Where is Großer Oscheniksee?
Austria, europe
8.5 km
2,390 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're in Carinthia, Austria, deep in the Fragant valley, ready to tackle a beast of a road up to Großer Oscheniksee, a stunning mountain reservoir perched at 2,390m (7,841ft). This climb? Legendary.
Starting from Innerfragant, you've got 8.5km (5.28 miles) of paved, but seriously narrow road ahead. And get this—39 hairpin turns! Hope you're not prone to motion sickness. The road's typically open only from early May to late September, thanks to the heavy snow.
But the real kicker? This road isn't messing around. Prepare for sections hitting a brutal 20% gradient. Seriously, some say it's one of the toughest climbs in the Alps. You'll gain 1,106 meters in elevation, averaging a lung-busting 13.01% incline. But trust me, the views from the top make it all worthwhile! Just be aware that access to the reservoir is currently blocked by a barrier.
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 8.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,390 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Tuc de la Llança?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Nestled high in the Pyrenees, in the province of Lleida, Spain, lies the breathtaking Tuc de la Llança. This peak is seriously high, boasting an elevation that puts you above most of the country. So, what's the deal with getting there? Well, you're in for a treat – and a challenge! The path to the top isn’t paved; it’s a rugged chairlift access trail that winds its way up. The entire journey clocks in at roughly, offering some seriously stunning panoramic views, including peaks like Pica d'Estats and Montardo d'Aran. Word to the wise: hitting this road in winter? Probably not the best idea unless you're seriously prepared. This trail is more than just a drive; it's an experience, a chance to connect with nature, and an absolute must-do for the adventurous soul. Get ready for the ride of your life!
moderateWhere is Col de Jau?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up for the Col de Jau! This high-altitude pass, sitting way up in the eastern Pyrenees, straddles the border of two French departments in the south of the country. Keep an eye out for the ruins of the old Sainte-Marie de Jau abbey nearby – a cool piece of history. The road itself? Paved, thankfully! It's known as D14 on the northern side and D117 on the southern side. The full stretch is about 27 km (17 miles) from Mosset to Sainte Colombe sur Guette. Now, about that climb. From Mosset, you're looking at a roughly 18km ascent with about 1000m of elevation gain – that's an average gradient of around 5.5%. Coming from Sainte Colombe sur Guette, it's a bit shorter at around 9 km, but you're still climbing about 600m, making for a steeper average of about 6.5%. Be warned, it's not always a picnic – you'll find some pretty steep ramps along the way. But the views? Absolutely worth it! Get ready for some wild scenery in the heart of the Pyrenees.
hardCollado de la Quesera
🇪🇸 Spain
# Collado de la Quesera Perched at 1,745 meters (5,725 feet) above sea level, Collado de la Quesera is a stunning mountain pass tucked away in Guadalajara province, in the heart of Spain's Castile-La Mancha region. The road up here is fully paved, but don't let that fool you—this is no leisurely cruise. The climb packs some serious punch, with grades hitting up to 12.3% in places. The pass has even earned its stripes as a stage in Spain's legendary Vuelta a España cycling race. Coming up from Riaza? Buckle up for a 14-km push that'll gain you 542 meters of elevation, averaging out to a steady 3.9% grade. If you're approaching from Majaelrayo instead, you're looking at a shorter but steeper 10-km haul with 509 meters of elevation gain—that's a more intense 5.1% average. Either way, you're in for a spectacular drive through the breathtaking Hoces de Bejo landscape. It's the kind of mountain pass that keeps you engaged behind the wheel and gives you seriously rewarding views once you reach the top.
hardWhere is Etang de Soulcem?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Pyrenees, heading towards a hidden gem called Étang de Soulcem. This high-altitude reservoir sits pretty at 1,649m near the borders of Andorra and Spain. The drive starts in Val-de-Sos and winds its way up for 17.8 km. Don't let the smooth, paved surface fool you, though! This road gets pretty steep with some ramps hitting a grunty 15% gradient. Over that distance, you'll climb a hefty 987 meters! Trust me, though, the views are insane. The lake itself is stunning, full of fish, and the area is just breathtaking. Word of warning: the road can get narrow, especially near the top. There are some tight hairpin bends, so keep your eyes peeled. Also, this area can have rock slides, so be aware. Sadly, this route is usually snowed in during winter, so plan your trip accordingly! Once you reach the top, park at Parking du Chemin des Orris, and you can explore a gravel road. Worth the trip? Absolutely!