Where is Lake Goscheneralp?
Switzerland, europe
9.6 km
1,786 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Swiss Alps, heading towards the ridiculously scenic Göscheneralpsee, a high-altitude reservoir chilling at 1,786m (5,859ft). You'll find this gem tucked away in the Canton of Uri, nestled in the Göschenen Valley.
The road up is a blast! It's paved the whole way, but hold onto your hats – it's narrow, steep, and twisty! It's generally open all year round. Think tight tunnels and sections where you'll be grateful for your side mirrors, but the adrenaline rush is totally worth it.
From Göschenen, it's about 9.6 km (5.96 miles) to the lake, climbing a hefty 680 meters. That's an average gradient of 7.08%, with some sections hitting a leg-burning 12%! At the end of the road, you're rewarded with a parking spot, a cozy mountain hut, and views that'll blow your mind.
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 9.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,786 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremePasso Stalle: Driving the narrow border road between Italy and Austria
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo Stalle: The Alps' Most Nail-Biting Mountain Pass Ready for one of the Alps' most thrilling driving experiences? Passo Stalle (aka Staller Saddle) sits at 2,061m on the Austria-Italy border, connecting the Defereggen Valley in East Tyrol with the stunning Valle di Anterselva. Buckle up—this isn't your typical leisurely alpine cruise. The Austrian side via the L25 is fairly reasonable, with steady 8% grades and occasional 12% ramps. Things get interesting after the last village, Erlsbach (1,549m). Pro tip: Gas up here at St. Jakob in Defereggen, about 14km from the top—Austrian fuel is often 40% cheaper than Italian prices. You'll want to top off your tank before crossing over. Now for the Italian side's SP44 road? This is where it gets seriously intense. The pavement is *absurdly* narrow—we're talking so tight that squeezing past a cyclist becomes a genuine puzzle. Blind corners, steep 11% ramps, and zero room for error make this one legendary challenge. Caravans, buses, and anything over 3.5 tons are strictly forbidden (for good reason). Here's the catch: because two cars literally cannot pass each other, traffic is orchestrated by synchronized red and green lights. From the Austrian top, you get 15 minutes green (0:00-0:15 each hour). From the Italian side, it's the opposite window (0:30-0:45). Miss your slot? You're waiting 45 minutes. Overtaking is impossible, and ignoring those lights is seriously dangerous. Only open May through October, 5:30am to 10:15pm. Weather or landslides? The pass closes temporarily without warning. The road is paved and well-marked, but this isn't about comfort—it's about respect and precision driving. Welcome to one of the Alps' most unforgettable experiences.
moderateWhere is Somport Pass?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the border of France and Spain, high up in the Pyrenees Mountains. You're tackling the Puerto de Somport-Col du Somport, an international mountain pass that tops out at a cool 1,637 meters (5,370 feet). This beauty connects the province of Huesca in Spain with the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in France, nestled between the Aragón and Aspe river valleys. The name? It's all about location, location, location – "summus portus" in Latin, meaning the highest port. Get ready for a 16.2 km (10.06 miles) paved adventure from Canfranc-Estación in Spain to Les Forges d'Abel in France. This road, also known as Port of Aspe or Port of Canfranc (N330a), has even played host to the Tour de France and Vuelta a España – so expect some steep climbs, with ramps hitting a 10% grade in places. The pass is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather. If things get too wild, there's always the Túnel de Somport, an 8.6 kilometre (5.3 mi) long tunnel that bypasses the pass that's open all year.
hardHow to get by car to the beautiful Kolokytha beach in Crete?
🇬🇷 Greece
# Kolokytha Beach: Worth the Bumpy Ride If you're hunting for one of Greece's most stunning beaches, Kolokytha on the island of Spinalonga is calling your name. Picture this: pristine white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and a remote vibe that feels like you've discovered your own slice of paradise. Located in the Gulf of Elounda in northeastern Crete, near the charming town of Elounda, this hidden gem is absolutely worth the effort to reach. Here's the thing though—getting there is half the adventure. The coastal road from Elounda stretches 2.8 km (1.73 miles) of pure unpaved, dirt-road charm. The final stretch gets seriously gnarly with big rocks and loose stones scattered everywhere, so you'll definitely want a 4x4 vehicle if you're thinking of driving all the way. Fair warning: the road is typically closed to private vehicles, so your best bet is to park at the small lot near the Church of St. Luke, roughly halfway down, and hoof it from there. Pro tip: arrive early. Like, really early. This place might be remote, but word's out about how gorgeous it is, so it can get surprisingly crowded. Grab your sunscreen, lace up your hiking boots, and prepare for one of the most rewarding beach days of your life.
hardWhere is Clue de la Maglia?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Alpes-Maritimes region of France, about to hit one of the area's most famous and giggle-inducing drives: Clue de la Maglia! This canyon, a masterpiece sculpted by the Vallon de la Maglia river near Breil-sur-Roya, is a total stunner, all white limestone and sparkling water. The road itself? Mostly paved, but keep an eye out for some gravel patches near the end to keep things interesting. It's a roughly 3.7 km (2.3 miles) shot, snaking its way from the D2204 (Route du Col de Brouis) near Breil-sur-Roya over to La Maglia. Now, here's the kicker: it's narrow. Like, *really* narrow. Think dramatic cliffs, a dark, unlit tunnel, and sections where two cars definitely can't pass at the same time. This isn't a road for the faint of heart. Brush up on your reversing skills, because you might need to back up a ways on a skinny ledge! But if you're up for a bit of an adventure and love breathtaking scenery, Clue de la Maglia is an absolute must. Just take it slow and soak it all in!