
23 hairpin turns on the road from Paos to Kontovazaina
Greece, europe
13.1 km
1,157 m
extreme
Year-round
Tucked away in Arcadia in the heart of Greece's Peloponnese, the road from Paos to Kontovazaina is an absolute adrenaline rush—and not for the faint of heart. This 13.1 km stretch is a wild, twisting mountain adventure that'll test your driving skills like nothing else.
Expect hairpin turns galore (we're talking 23 of them!) with some sections climbing at a brutal 12% gradient. The road tops out at 1,157 meters on the Afrodisia Mountain, offering incredible views if you can take your eyes off the road for a second. The pavement is there, sure, but it's seen better days—puddles and the occasional pothole keep things interesting.
Here's the real kicker: the road gets seriously narrow in spots, making you feel like you're going twice as fast as you actually are. When you meet another car coming the opposite direction, one of you has to pull over and wait. There are no safety barriers on those cliff-edge sections, so this isn't the route for casual Sunday drives or anyone prone to motion sickness.
This is pure, unfiltered Greek mountain driving at its finest. Come prepared, take it slow, and respect the road. It's magnificent, but it demands your full attention.
Where is it?
23 hairpin turns on the road from Paos to Kontovazaina is located in Greece (europe). Coordinates: 38.6581, 22.0708
Road Details
- Country
- Greece
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,157 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 38.6581, 22.0708
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