There is something magical about hitting the open road with the windows down, a playlist on, and the promise of discovery around every bend. Europe is home to some of the world’s most spectacular driving routes.
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The Stelvio Pass, Italy
The Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps is one of the most famous driving roads in the world. With 48 hairpin turns climbing to 2,757 metres above sea level, it offers a thrilling challenge for any driver. The road connects South Tyrol with the Valtellina valley, passing through breathtaking alpine scenery. The highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, the Stelvio is best tackled in good weather between June and September. Stop at the summit for panoramic views and a well-earned coffee.
The Atlantic Road, Norway
Norway’s Atlantic Road is a marvel of engineering that stretches across the islands and skerries of the Hustadvika coastline. The road rises and falls on bridges and causeways, with the ocean crashing against the rocks below. The Storseisundet Bridge is the most dramatic feature, appearing to curve into the sky. This eight-kilometre route is part of the Norwegian Scenic Route system and offers views that are nothing short of spectacular. It is a drive you will never forget.
The Route des Grandes Alpes, France
The Route des Grandes Alpes runs from Lake Geneva to the French Riviera, crossing 16 mountain passes over 720 kilometres. This legendary route takes you through the heart of the French Alps, past charming villages, alpine meadows, and towering peaks. The Col de l’Iseran, at 2,764 metres, is the highest paved road in the Alps. Each pass offers its own character and challenges. The journey can be completed in a week, allowing time to explore the stunning scenery along the way.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
Austria’s Grossglockner High Alpine Road is one of Europe’s most scenic drives, winding through the Hohe Tauern National Park to the foot of the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain. The road features 36 hairpin bends and reaches an altitude of 2,504 metres. The views of the Pasterze Glacier and the surrounding peaks are awe-inspiring. Visitor centres along the route provide information about the alpine environment. A toll road, the Grossglockner is well-maintained and a joy to drive.
The Amalfi Coast Road, Italy
The SS163 along the Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s most beautiful and dramatic drives. The road clings to the cliffs between Sorrento and Salerno, offering breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The towns of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello are strung along the coast like pearls. The road is narrow and winding, requiring concentration, but the reward is some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the world. Spring and autumn offer the best driving conditions with lighter traffic.
The Transfagarasan Highway, Romania
The Transfagarasan Highway in Romania is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular driving roads on the planet. Built by the former communist regime as a military route, this ninety-kilometre road crosses the Carpathian Mountains through dramatic landscapes of forests, meadows, and glacial lakes. The road climbs to 2,042 metres at its highest point through a series of tunnels, viaducts, and hairpin turns that test both driver and machine. The Balea Lake, a glacial lake near the summit, is a stunning rest stop with a mountain lodge serving traditional Romanian cuisine. The road is only open from late June until October due to snow, adding to its mystique. The journey from the northern entrance near Sibiu to the southern approach past the Vidraru Dam offers ever-changing scenery that keeps every mile engaging.
The Trollstigen, Norway
Trollstigen, or the Troll’s Path, is a breathtaking mountain road in western Norway that twists its way up a steep mountainside through eleven dramatic hairpin bends. The road climbs 858 metres over a short distance, passing the towering Stigfossen waterfall that cascades down the mountain beside the roadway. At the summit, viewing platforms provide vertigo-inducing views over the valley and the winding road below. The road is narrow, steep, and demands full concentration, but the scenery is among the most spectacular in Scandinavia. Beyond the driving experience itself, the area offers hiking trails into the surrounding mountains, where wild reindeer roam and alpine flowers bloom in summer. The nearby Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World heritage site, adds another world-class attraction to a road trip through this remarkable region. The road is typically open from May to October, weather permitting.
Which of these legendary roads would you most like to drive?
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