Where is Sertavul Geçidi?

Where is Sertavul Geçidi?

Turkey, europe

Length

70.5 km

Elevation

1,664 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: Sertavul Geçidi, a mountain pass sitting pretty high at 1,664m (5,459ft) up where Mersin meets Karaman in Turkey. This isn't just any road—it's a historical hotspot! Word has it, even Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa trekked through here back in 1190.

You'll find this beauty in southern Turkey, linking the sunny Mediterranean vibes to the heart of Central Anatolia. The entire 70.5 km (43.8 miles) stretch, known as D715, is paved, winding from Karaman down to Mut.

Keep an eye out! While generally open year-round, winter can throw some curveballs with heavy snow, blizzards, and fog sometimes causing closures. But if you catch it right, the scenery is absolutely worth the trip!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Turkey
Continent
europe
Length
70.5 km
Max Elevation
1,664 m
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in europe

Driving the curvy EN15 to Alto de Espinhohard

Driving the curvy EN15 to Alto de Espinho

🇵🇹 Portugal

Okay, picture this: You're cruising through Northern Portugal, winding your way up the Serra do Marão mountains. You're on Estrada Nacional 15 (EN 15), the old road connecting Porto and Bragança, a totally epic route known as Alto de Espinho. This paved road stretches for 46.6 km (29 miles) between Amarante and Parada de Cunhos. You'll climb to a cool 1,025m (3,362ft) above sea level, so get ready for some views! Fair warning: this isn't a straight shot. Expect countless turns, some pretty narrow stretches, and some seriously steep climbs - we're talking gradients of up to 9.2%! Though it's a pretty quiet road, keep an eye out for cyclists, especially on weekends. This pass has even been featured in the Vuelta a Portugal cycling race, with stages finishing atop Monte Farinha. History buffs will dig that this road used to be *the* main route, but a new road (IP4) and the A4 expressway (with the Túnel do Marão) now handle most of the traffic. So get ready for an adventure!

Where is Cinque Torri Refuge?hard

Where is Cinque Torri Refuge?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, picture this: You're in the Italian Veneto region, heading towards the breathtaking Cinque Torri. This isn't just any drive; it's a 4.2km (2.6 mile) adventure up to a high mountain refuge. The road? Let's just say it's cozy – super narrow, completely paved, and switchbacks galore. Weekends can get busy, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye out for closure from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Expect stunning scenery, of course, but remember, this is mountain driving, so stay alert! Historically, this area was a battleground between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces. Near the refuge, you’ll find a small oratory. Just be aware that the road usually closes in winter due to severe weather.

Averau Refugehard

Averau Refuge

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, picture this: You're in the Italian Dolomites, ready for an adventure. You're headed to Rifugio Averau, a mountain refuge sitting pretty at 2,418 meters (that's 7,933 feet!). Now, getting there isn't a Sunday drive. The road is a gravelly, rocky, and sometimes bumpy track that’ll test your off-roading skills. We're talking a proper 4x4 job here, folks. Think steep climbs, potentially a bit tippy, and definitely not for the faint of heart if you're scared of heights! FYI, this road is usually snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. But if you're an experienced off-roader and the weather cooperates, you’re in for a treat. The views? Unreal! Think indescribable landscapes and mind-blowing vistas of the Dolomites. Plus, the refuge itself has a cool history – it started as a basic wooden shack way back when, before being upgraded to a brick building in 1903. Get ready for some spectacular scenery and an unforgettable drive!

Grossglockner High Alpine Roadmoderate

Grossglockner High Alpine Road

🇦🇹 Austria

# The Grossglockner High Alpine Road Want to experience one of Europe's most thrilling drives? The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is basically Austria's crown jewel when it comes to alpine highways. This 48-kilometer ribbon of pavement connects Bruck in Salzburg province to the charming village of Heiligenblut in Carinthia, and it's absolutely wild. Built between 1930 and 1935, this toll road climbs all the way up to 2,504 meters at the Edelweissspitze, where the views will literally take your breath away (partially from the altitude, partially from how stunning it is). You'll navigate 36 hair-raising hairpin bends that wind through the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park, giving you constant close-up glimpses of Austria's highest peak, the Grossglockner at 3,798 meters, plus the dramatic Pasterze Glacier below. Nearly a million people tackle this road every year, and honestly, it's easy to see why. The drive is considered a masterpiece of engineering, and while the road itself is well-maintained with decent lane widths, those switchbacks at altitude definitely demand your full attention. Don't miss the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hohe viewpoint—it's a detour worth every minute, serving up absolutely incredible panoramas of the glacier and surrounding mountains. Along the way, you'll find several stops with exhibits explaining the local alpine ecology, geology, and history. Respect the mountain, take your time, and prepare for one unforgettable ride.