Where is the Lysevegen road?
Norway, europe
32.6 km
932 m
hard
Year-round
Cruising through southwestern Norway? You HAVE to check out Lysevegen! This road is a total rollercoaster through the mountains of Rogaland and Vest Agder. Think 27 hairpin turns, people! And get this – there's this crazy narrow tunnel where only one car can pass at a time.
Lysevegen (aka FV500) straddles the border of Agder and Rogaland counties. This insane stretch of road officially opened in 1984, built originally to help with the Tjodan hydroelectric power station. Back then, boats were the only way to get in and out of Lysebotn! The first road was carved INSIDE the mountain back in the 50s and 60s to get rid of all the rock.
The road clocks in at around 32.6 km (20.25 miles), all paved. It kicks off from Fv450 and plunges down to Lysebotn, a tiny, super-remote village chilling at the end of Lysefjorden.
Heads up though – this isn't a Sunday drive! Lysevegen climbs to 932m (3,057ft) above sea level at Andersvatn lake. It’s packed with hairpin bends, averaging a crazy 9.4% gradient, with some spots hitting 16%! Seriously, pay attention.
Tight corners and reverse camber bends are your constant companions. And those 27 hairpin turns in a row? Epic! Two big reasons to tackle this road: hiking to Kjerag and catching a ferry through Lysefjord back to Stavanger. Oh, and did I mention the tunnel that does a 340-degree turn before spitting you out in Lysebotn?
It can get super narrow, so be prepared to pull over and let other cars pass. This road is usually only open for about 5 months a year, so plan accordingly. It’s notorious for being misty. Usually, it opens in May and closes in October/November, but it all depends on the snow. Sometimes the snowplows are still working in late May, and you can see snow well into summer! Even in June, snow isn't uncommon.
Road Details
- Country
- Norway
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 32.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 932 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremeHow long is MA-1101 road in Mallorca?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, buckle up, fellow adventurers, because I've got a gem for you: MA-1101 in Mallorca! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Tucked into the western Tramuntana Mountains, this fully paved route stretches for about 10 kilometers between Puigpunyent and Esporles. Don't let the short distance fool you; this road packs a punch. We're talking 23 hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. Seriously, you'll want to be confident with reversing! Plus, keep your eyes peeled for potential rock slides. As you climb, you'll ascend to Coll es Grau, a mountain pass sitting pretty at 474 meters above sea level. Be ready for some steep sections; some parts ramp up to a 10% gradient! But hey, the views? Absolutely stunning. This is one unforgettable drive.
extremeLac de Derborence: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Lac de Derborence: Switzerland's Heart-Pounding Alpine Road Nestled in Valais, Switzerland, Lac de Derborence sits pretty at 1,465m (4,806ft) above sea level—and getting there is half the adventure. This isn't your typical scenic drive; it's a genuinely thrilling experience that'll have your hands gripping the wheel. The lake itself has an epic origin story. Two catastrophic landslides (way back in 1714 and 1749) sent roughly 50 million cubic meters of rock tumbling into the Derbonne river, essentially creating Switzerland's youngest natural lake. Today, it's an ecological hotspot packed with rare aquatic species that caught the attention of famous author Charles Ferdinand Ramuz, who even wrote a novel about it. The Route de Derborence winds 18.2km (11.3 miles) through the dramatic Lizerne gorges from Conthey, and it's absolutely bonkers in the best way. The road is fully paved but genuinely narrow—we're talking single-file in spots. Here's where it gets wild: you'll snake through hand-carved tunnels with windows literally cut into the rock face, with some seriously exposed 300m drop-offs keeping things interesting. There are two tunnel stretches (one's really long), but don't worry—those carved-out windows mean you won't be driving in pitch darkness, and the views are utterly spectacular. Fair warning: this road isn't for the faint-hearted. Vehicles over 3.4m tall aren't permitted, and the steep climbs hit 15% gradients. You're looking at an elevation gain of 1,133 meters over those 18.2km, with an average gradient of 6.22%. Plan on 30-45 minutes of actual driving time. Pro tip: skip the weekends. The parking area gets absolutely rammed, and the narrow road becomes a real white-knuckle experience with heavy traffic. Also worth noting—winter closes this road from May through October or November, so time your visit for the summer months. And if you're stopping for photos, be extra careful; there aren't many pull-outs, and that cliff edge is no joke.
extremeHow to drive the unpaved road to Madriccio Refuge in South Tyrol
🇮🇹 Italy
# Rifugio Madriccio-Madrisch Hütte If you're craving a real alpine adventure, the Rifugio Madriccio-Madrisch Hütte awaits you at a breathtaking 2,828 m (9,278 ft) in South Tyrol, Italy. Nestled in the stunning Ortler Alps near the Swiss border, this high-mountain refuge sits in the Vinschgau valley, just east of the legendary Stelvio Pass. Here's the thing: getting there is definitely not for the faint of heart. The entire 6 km (3.72 mile) journey from Solda is completely unpaved and brutally steep—we're talking a 15.38% average gradient that'll have your heart racing. Only 4x4 vehicles are permitted, and it's strictly off-limits to regular cars. With nearly 1,000 meters of elevation gain packed into those few kilometers, you'll understand why it's counted among Italy's highest roads. Fair warning: this route is completely snowed out from October through May, so plan your visit for the summer months. Once you reach the refuge, hardcore cyclists can tackle an additional bike-only trail to the Madritschjoch pass at 3,123 m (10,246 ft)—equally intense and with zero cell service. The payoff? Absolutely stunning alpine scenery and an experience you won't forget. Just make sure your vehicle (and your nerves) are up for the challenge.
hardA steep paved road to Col Tze Core in the Aosta Valley
🇮🇹 Italy
Col Tze Core is a thrilling high-altitude pass tucked away in Italy's Aosta Valley, sitting at a respectable 1,607m (5,272ft) above sea level. Also called Col Zuccore or Tzecore, this gem is hidden in the north-western corner of the country. The 9.4 km (5.84 miles) stretch winds from Strada Regionale 7 near Sommarese all the way up to Orbeillaz, and here's what makes it interesting: while the road is fully paved, it's definitely on the narrow side. You'll encounter some seriously steep sections that'll really test your driving skills—we're talking 15.3% gradients on some of those ramps. It's the kind of road that demands your full attention and respect. The payoff? Once you reach the summit, there's a charming picnic area waiting for you. Perfect spot to catch your breath, soak in the views, and celebrate making it up this challenging Alpine pass.