Where is Ziyeret Pass?
Turkey, europe
101 km
1,933 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, road trip lovers, listen up! If you're cruising through central Turkey between Kayseri and Sivas provinces, you *have* to check out Ziyeret Geçidi!
This fully paved pass tops out at a cool 1,933 meters (that's 6,341 feet!). You'll find it nestled south of , right in the heart of the Central Anatolia region.
It's part of the D.300 State Road, your direct shot connecting Kayseri to Malatya. Most of it's a smooth, four-lane ride, but keep an eye out for a couple of shorter sections towards the west.
The whole stretch through the pass is about 101 km (62.75 miles) from Pınarbaşı to Gürün, and it's seriously scenic. Fair warning: it's a pretty quiet ride. You'll roll through just a couple of small villages, so stock up on snacks and gas before you go!
Now, the real talk: winter. This road gets icy, and blizzards can shut it down. It's usually open year-round, but expect potential closures during heavy snow. If you're traveling between November and March, be prepared to see some serious snow. Trust me, it can get COLD!
Road Details
- Country
- Turkey
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 101 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,933 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
extremeAlto Velefique is one of the most iconic climbs in Spain
🇪🇸 Spain
# Alto de Velefique: Spain's Epic Mountain Pass Ready for one heck of a ride? Head to Almeria Province in Andalusia, Spain, where Alto de Velefique sits pretty at 1,793m (5,882ft) above sea level. The road climbs even higher—peaking at 1,827m just north of the pass—and it's absolutely legendary among local bikers. They're not shy about comparing it to Italy's famous Stelvio Pass, and honestly? The resemblance to Alpe d'Huez is pretty undeniable. The 24.7 km (15.34 miles) stretch on the AL-3102 road runs from Velefique up to Bacares, and it's a masterclass in engineering. We're talking 29 hairpin turns that'll keep your hands busy and your adrenaline pumping. The road is in excellent condition—fully paved throughout—but that 17% gradient will test your driving skills (and your brakes). This climb has even earned its stripes as a 1st category climb in Spain's prestigious Vuelta a España race. What makes this pass truly special? The scenery is absolutely stunning. You're winding through the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains in Spain's arid southeastern corner, with views of Europe's only desert, the Tabernas, stretching out before you. The hairpins themselves create an incredible visual experience as they snake up the mountainside. Fair warning: summers here get brutally hot, so plan accordingly. The pass stays open year-round, though occasional winter closures happen when weather gets sketchy. This is one bucket-list road that absolutely deserves your attention.
extremeWhat is the road to Pierre-sur-Haute like?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're in France, smack-dab in the Monts du Forez, part of the Massif Central. You're eyeing Pierre-sur-Haute, the highest point around, with its summit poking over 1,600 meters above sea level. Now, getting there is a bit of an adventure, and not exactly open to everyone. The road, a north-south connector between the D40 at Col du Béal and the D106 at Le Perrier, is a bit quirky. It's there to service the radio station and relay tower at the top, but the final stretch? Strictly off-limits to civilian vehicles. Think military personnel, technicians, and emergency services only beyond a certain point. Heads up on the road surface – it's a tale of two sides. The northern part, from Col du Béal, is paved (sort of). Imagine a super-narrow strip of asphalt, no painted lines, and zero guardrails. The southern side? It's a rugged dirt track, and during winter, expect serious snow that often requires tracked vehicles to keep it open. At the top, you'll find a French Air Force radio station and a civilian relay tower, all behind a secure fence. They work hard to keep the road accessible year-round, but the weather in this area is intense. For authorized drivers, the biggest concerns are extreme wind and sudden ice. Seriously, the weather can change in a heartbeat, and thick fog can blind you. For everyone else, the main thing is to respect the "no entry" signs. Oh, and watch out for hikers on that narrow asphalt from Col du Béal – it's a tight squeeze!
hardHow many Pigtails are in Spain? Driving the 5 legendary "Nudos de Corbata"
🇪🇸 Spain
# Spain's Hidden Road Spirals: Five Mind-Bending Engineering Marvels Sure, millions of drivers zip through Spanish highways without a second thought, but few realize they're passing by some of the world's most jaw-dropping road engineering. We went digging through maps and found five absolutely wild spots where the road literally ties itself into a knot to conquer impossibly steep terrain. Ever heard of a "pigtail"? It's basically a 360-degree spiral where the road loops over or under itself to gain elevation in the tightest space possible. While Switzerland and Japan get all the glory for these engineering marvels, Spain's quietly sitting on five incredible examples of high-altitude road wizardry. The crown jewel? The **Nus de sa Corbata** on the legendary Sa Calobra Road in Mallorca. This show-stopping 270-degree curve was designed way back in 1932 by Antonio Parietti—and here's the crazy part: they built it without any tunnels. The road simply loops under itself to drop over a massive cliff in the Serra de Tramuntana. It's pure genius. Then there's the **A-7000 Road** (formerly the N-321) in Málaga's mountains, where two pigtails sit practically next to each other. Classic early 20th-century problem-solving for navigating those brutal coastal ranges down south. Heading toward the **NA-137** near the French border? Get ready for a perfect spiral as you climb toward the Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin. The drive through the Roncal Valley is incredibly technical and scenically stunning. But the weirdest one? That honor goes to the **CV-223** in Castellón Province. Known locally as *Cuesta del Caracol* (Snail's Slope), this loop between Eslida and Ahín runs almost entirely through a tunnel—making it a hidden pigtail that most drivers never even realize they've navigated. These engineering marvels aren't cheap or easy to build, which is why they only exist where traditional hairpins simply won't cut it. From historical designs to modern asphalt, these five locations prove that sometimes the impossible just needs the right dose of creativity and determination.
hardEstrecho del Infierno
🇪🇸 Spain
Estrecho del Infierno is a narrow stretch of trail through some interesting rock formations located in the province of Cuenca, Castile-La Mancha, in Spain. The track, ‘Hell’s canyon’, is rocky and very narrow, totally impassable for 2 cars. It’s situated in the Serranía de Cuenca mountain range. It’s the actual spot where the Júcar River starts and you can cross it. No stock vehicles. This track requires low range, high ground clearance, traction aids and recovery gear. The track can be flooded away anytime, and being impassable as a result of high river crossing. Large, sharp rocks require tight maneuvering, increasing the likelihood of tire damage. High clearance, skid plates and differential lockers required. http://turyciclo.com/archivo/estrecho-del-infierno Puerto de Navalmoral, an iconic Vuelta a España climb Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.