Where is Swindon's Magic Roundabout?

Where is Swindon's Magic Roundabout?

England, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because Swindon's Magic Roundabout is a trip! You'll find this bonkers rotary smack-dab in Swindon, that's a sizeable town in Wiltshire, South West England. Imagine: five mini-roundabouts swirling traffic clockwise, all while a central roundabout spins things counterclockwise!

Originally dubbed County Islands Ring Junction, someone had the genius idea to rename it after a kooky kids' TV show from the '60s. This junction opened in September '72 to tame five converging roads. Is it challenging? Oh yeah! It's a head-scratcher for newbies and a bit intimidating.

But don't let the name fool you *too* much. Despite the initial "scariest junction" label, the accident rate isn't as wild as you'd think for such a busy spot. Cyclists and motorcyclists, be extra cautious. With a new cycle lane and pelican crossings, it's becoming as safe as it is, well, magical!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
England
Continent
europe
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Where is Gamle Strynefjellsvegen?hard

Where is Gamle Strynefjellsvegen?

🇳🇴 Norway

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Norway's Gamle Strynefjellsvegen, or the Old Strynefjell Mountain Road, and it's like stepping back in time. This isn't your average highway – it's a taste of late 19th-century road-building magic snaking between Innlandet and Vestland counties in western Norway. Clocking in at 27 km (around 17 miles), this beauty of a drive – officially route Fv258 – winds from Videseter to Grotli and is designated as a National Tourist Route. Here's the thing: the first 10 km are paved, but then BAM! You hit gravel for the remaining 17 km. Pro tip: that gravel can get slick when wet, so keep an eye on the weather. Speaking of challenges, it gets narrow in spots (think 11-15 feet wide), so larger vehicles aren't recommended. And because it climbs up to 1,139m (3,736ft), expect a seasonal closure. Usually, it's open from June to late autumn, snow depending. But trust me, it’s worth it! Imagine driving past Langvatnet and Heillstuguvatnet lakes with insane views. Plus, you've got the Tystigbreen glacier nearby. It’s like a natural museum, showcasing Norway's incredible scenery. Honestly, it's an unforgettable drive.

Where is the road to Peña Berrocosa and Puerto de la Linera?extreme

Where is the road to Peña Berrocosa and Puerto de la Linera?

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, picture this: you're straddling the Madrid-Segovia border, cruising along the *Pista de las Cumbres* in the Ayllón Range. This isn't just a drive, it's an off-road adventure above the clouds! We're talking serious altitude here, topping out at 1,959 meters at *Peña Berrocosa*, after tackling *Puerto de la Linera* (1,835m) and *Cerro del Jabinar* (1,847m) along the way. This wild track kicks off near the old Punta de Estaca de Bares , once the only route between Arcones and Robregordo, and snakes south along the mountains' spine. Think dramatic, treeless landscapes made of gneiss and slate, offering jaw-dropping views across the northern Castilian plateau and the stunning Lozoya Valley near Madrid. Now, this ain't your typical Sunday drive. The *Pista de las Cumbres* is unpaved – a proper mountain service track with hard-packed dirt, loose stones, and shale. It's wide enough for a single 4x4, but fair warning: you're exposed up here! The winds are fierce, making it a haven for skydivers and paragliders (pretty cool to watch!), but also a potential hazard for drivers, especially on the narrowest sections with zero barriers. Expect a technical and demanding ride. Some sections are seriously steep, especially that final push to *Peña Berrocosa*. The air's thin up here, so your engine might feel it. Mud is the real enemy – that ridgeline soil turns into slick goo after rain, testing even experienced off-roaders. Erosion is also a factor, creating ruts after those epic thunderstorms. Heads up: winter slams the door shut from around December to April. Snowdrifts and ice make it impassable. Summer's the best bet, with views stretching forever, but be prepared for intense sun and dust. Bottom line? Make sure your rig is in top shape, pack plenty of water, and get ready for one seriously remote and unforgettable ridgeline drive.

Tunnel des Montetshard

Tunnel des Montets

🇫🇷 France

# Tunnel des Montets: Your Alpine Escape Route Tucked away in the Haute-Savoie region of France, the Tunnel des Montets (also called Col des Montets Tunnel) is a clever bit of engineering that's been saving travelers since 1907. Located just past Argentiere at Montroc village, this dual-purpose railway and road tunnel is your lifeline when Mother Nature decides to throw a tantrum in the mountains. At nearly 1,900 meters long and sitting at 1,386 meters elevation, this tunnel is all about practicality. When the Col des Montets pass gets hammered with snow or avalanche danger spikes, cars can slip straight through to Le Buet and Vallorcine instead of getting stuck outside. It's that simple. Just keep a few rules in mind if you're using it: your vehicle can't exceed 2.5 meters in height or 5.5 meters in length, the speed limit caps out at 50 km/h, and you need to maintain at least 100 meters between you and the car ahead. These aren't suggestions—they're there for a reason in this narrow underground passage. After a major renovation and reopening in December 2014, the tunnel is back in action and ready to get you safely through the mountains when conditions demand it. It's the kind of road feature that doesn't make headlines, but mountain travelers definitely appreciate it.

Driving the wild road to Bella Luihard

Driving the wild road to Bella Lui

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Bella Lui: A Swiss Alpine Adventure Perched at 2,537 meters (8,323 feet) in Switzerland's Valais region, Bella Lui is a stunning high mountain peak nestled in the Bernese Alps. The name itself—meaning "beautiful light" in the old Valais dialect—perfectly captures what you'll experience up there. Getting to the summit is definitely an adventure. The route is a rocky, gravel chairlift access trail that's seriously steep, with loose stones scattered everywhere. It gets even more dramatic in the upper sections where things get rockier and steeper still. Fair warning: you've got a pretty narrow window to tackle this one—basically just the end of August when conditions cooperate. You'll want a 4x4 for this journey. The wind is absolutely relentless year-round, and that's no exaggeration. Even during summer, surprise snow days can pop up, and winter temperatures? Brutally cold. The actual road is a ski-station service route with gradients up to 30% in some sections, so it's not for the faint of heart. But here's why you'll love it: the payoff is massive. You'll get breathtaking panoramic views sweeping over the Urdental valley, and when you reach the top, there's a restaurant sharing the peak's name where you can celebrate with a meal. Not bad for a day's work, right?