1. The M40 Corridor: From Central London to Warwick

1. The M40 Corridor: From Central London to Warwick

England, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: escaping London. Sounds dreamy, right? But first, you gotta navigate the beast. We're talking Congestion Charge zones, ULEZ nightmares, and orbital motorways that seem to stretch on forever. Don't worry, I've got the insider scoop to get you outta town and onto those epic driving roads in the Midlands and the North.

First up, the M40 corridor toward Warwick. Think of Warwick Castle, built by William the Conqueror back in 1066. For us drivers, it's a signal—the urban sprawl is finally fading! The M40 is your ticket to the winding Cotswolds roads, avoiding the M1's truck-heavy traffic.

Now, about tackling Central London... The London Eye area is a total sensory overload. Ancient streets and pedestrian zones make it a real challenge. Make sure your ride is ULEZ-compliant, or you'll be slapped with a fine.

Headed towards the Peak District? The M1 is your friend. Just be prepared for some serious lane merging and high-speed trucks near the M1/M25 interchange. Stay sharp!

Finally, those river crossings! The Tower Bridge and Dartford Crossing are vital escape routes. A closure can ruin your weekend, forcing you onto those dark, twisty rural roads. So, plan ahead, check for delays, and get ready to trade city lights for stunning landscapes!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
England
Continent
europe
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

Driving the hairpinned Road T-704 in Pradeshard

Driving the hairpinned Road T-704 in Prades

🇪🇸 Spain

# T-704: Spain's Rally-Famous Mountain Twister Ready for some serious switchback action? T-704 in Tarragona, southern Catalonia, is the real deal—a thrilling 29.1km (18 miles) paved mountain road that's legitimately hosted WRC Rally Catalunya. We're talking about 30+ hairpin turns that'll keep your hands busy and your adrenaline pumping. The road climbs dramatically from Reus (sitting at just 170m) up to the charming mountain town of Prades at 943m. It's a proper elevation workout. Prades itself is worth the drive—frozen and quiet in winter, but buzzing with tourists come summer months who can't resist this scenic gateway to the Muntanyes de Prades. The crown jewel? A jaw-dropping 2.2km section packed with 14 consecutive hairpin turns. This beast climbs from 680m to 817m with an average gradient of 6.2%—steep enough to feel it, smooth enough to actually enjoy the drive. And don't miss the famous "Pujada a La Mussara," a short but punchy climbing section that adds extra spice to the experience. You can usually drive this road year-round, though winter storms occasionally force temporary closures. Time your visit right, and you've got yourself an unforgettable mountain pass experience that's thrilled professional rally drivers and everyday road trippers alike.

Where is Col du Télégraphe?moderate

Where is Col du Télégraphe?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: Col du Télégraphe, a mountain pass chilling at 1,566m (5,138ft) in the French Alps. You'll find it in the Savoie department as part of the Route des Grandes Alpes, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The road? Totally paved, and get ready for some serious curves – we're talking 14 hairpin turns! It's known as D902. The name comes from a cool fortress at the top, Fort du Télégraphe, which once used a semaphore telegraph back in 1884. You can even visit the fort in the summer. The whole climb stretches 17.5 km (10.87 miles) from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne to Valloire. And hey, it also hooks you up to the . At the summit, you'll spot radio and TV towers – can't miss 'em, big cement structures. Good news, though: this road is usually open year-round. Now, heads up, it's steep! Expect gradients up to 10%. The Col du Télégraphe has been a Tour de France regular. Starting from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, it's an 11.8 km climb, gaining 856 meters at an average of 7.3%. Coming from Valloire? It's a shorter 4.8 km, gaining 165 meters at a chill 3.4% average.

Punta del Cavallo Passhard

Punta del Cavallo Pass

🇮🇹 Italy

Punta del Cavallo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.290m (7,513ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont. The road to the summit is gravel and bumpy. Steep, narrow, full of hairpins, the route is partly washed and bumpy. It’s impassable from September to June due the snow. The track is an old military route. The surface is loamy and grassy, so you should avoid driving in wet weather. At the summit there are some military constructions. 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.

Where is Los Portillinos?moderate

Where is Los Portillinos?

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, so you HAVE to check out Los Portillinos, a crazy-cool mountain pass sitting way up at 6,420 feet in northern Spain! You'll find it chilling in the Castilla y León region, specifically the northwestern part of the country. Locals also call it Alto de los Portillinos, and the road is paved, though it can get a little rough in spots. You'll be cruising through the gorgeous Fornela valley. It winds up through the Montes de León mountain range. Word to the wise: it's usually open all year, but winter can be a bit dicey with occasional closures. If you're feeling extra adventurous, there's a gravel road that branches off east towards a peak called Mustallar. The whole pass is only 6.8 km long, running between Peranzanes and Candín, and honestly? You'll probably have the road mostly to yourself! Soak in those views!