A hairpinned road to the summit of Leqet e Hotit
Albania, europe
16.4 km
750 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're cruising through Shkodër County in Albania and craving a serious dose of adrenaline, you NEED to check out Leqet e Hotit!
This mountain pass clocks in at a cool 750m (2,460ft) above sea level, and the SH20 leading to the top is no joke. We're talking seriously steep sections, with gradients maxing out around 12.7%! And hairpin turns? You'll lose count, trust me.
The good news? This epic stretch of road has been totally revamped, so you can enjoy the twists and turns on smooth, fresh pavement. It's a biker's and cyclist's dream, so keep an eye out for fellow travelers. Just a heads-up: if the snow starts dumping, this route might be temporarily closed.
This 16.4 km (10.19 mile) stretch runs from Rrapshë up to Tamarë, and promises incredible views. So buckle up, grab your camera, and get ready for a ride you won't soon forget!
Where is it?
A hairpinned road to the summit of Leqet e Hotit is located in Albania (europe). Coordinates: 41.2384, 20.2400
Road Details
- Country
- Albania
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 16.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 750 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 41.2384, 20.2400
Related Roads in europe
extremeColle di Sant'Anna di Vinadio
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: Colle di Sant'Anna di Vinadio, a seriously epic mountain pass straddling the French-Italian border in the Maritime Alps. We're talking 2,301 meters (7,549 feet) above sea level! Getting to the top, also called Pas de Saint-Anne, is an adventure in itself. The road? Well, "road" might be a generous term. Think gravel, rocks, bumps, and tilts – you get the picture. Winter? Forget about it, totally snowed in. This is strictly for experienced off-roaders; if you're not comfortable on rough, unpaved mountain tracks, maybe skip this one. Seriously, a 4x4 is a must. Oh, and heights? Yeah, there are some pretty sheer drops. And it's steep! This old military road can get pretty muddy and slick when it's wet. Plus, it's super narrow – one car at a time, folks! At the very top, there's another little gravel track leading to Col du Lausfer-Passo di Lausfer, even higher at 2,430 meters (7,972 feet). This whole area is a hiker's paradise, so maybe avoid peak times if you're not into crowds.
moderateThe Ultimate Guide to Traveling the International Qafe Thane
🇦🇱 Albania
Alright, globetrotters, buckle up for Qafë Thanë, an epic mountain pass straddling Albania and North Macedonia! Perched at a cool 1,000m (3,280ft), this beauty connects Korçë County in Albania with the Southwestern Region of North Macedonia. It's THE main artery between these two amazing countries. We're talking a fully paved ribbon of road (part of the E852, known as SH9 on the Albanian side and A2 in Macedonia). Get ready for some leg-burning climbs, with gradients reaching a max of 7% in spots. Starting from a junction on the SH3 in Albania, this 15.9 km (9.87 mile) adventure snakes its way north to Struga, a dreamy tourist hotspot on the shores of Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia. And did I mention the views? Seriously, with Lake Ohrid glistening nearby, this drive is a total feast for the eyes. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
extremeA journey on the legendary Pista del Marroquí
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Pista del Marroquí, an old road clinging to the cliffs in Ourense, up in the Galicia region of northwest Spain. Seriously stunning! This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. Nestled way up in the Macizo Galaico-Leones mountains, this 9-kilometer stretch is a bit rough around the edges. You'll find pavement for most of it, but there are some unpaved sections towards the end that add a little extra thrill. Let's just say it's cozy – definitely a one-car-at-a-time kind of road. Fair warning: it's not maintained and has some serious drop-offs – we're talking hundreds of meters! Here's the cool part: it was built way back between 1927 and 1940 to help build a railway line from Vigo to Madrid. It's named after the engineer, Augusto Marroquí. Legend has it that so many workers died building the railway (around 12,000!), that it got the nickname "Camiño dos Mortos" – the Track of the Dead. The road basically hugs the railway line, acting as a service road for workers, supplies, and the injured. You'll be winding between 800 and 1000 meters above sea level, with unbelievable mountain views. Be aware that a landslide has blocked part of the road, so you can't drive the whole thing. There's a place called Mirador de Sierra Alta nearby for taking pictures.
moderateWhere is the Malta High Alpine Road?
🇦🇹 Austria
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Austrian Alps in Carinthia, north of the adorable village of Malta. You're on the Malta-Hochalmstraße, a toll road that's only open from May to October, so plan accordingly! This isn't just any road; it's a twisting, turning, 14.4km (8.94 miles) masterpiece carved into the mountains, eventually leading you to the Kölnbreinsperre, Austria's highest dam, sitting pretty at 1.902m (6,240ft). Originally built for dam construction, now it's a thrill ride for drivers and bikers alike. Think hairpin turns, a maximum grade of 13%, and six super cool natural stone tunnels. Keep an eye out, because some of the uphill sections are only one lane. And there are traffic lights at the tightest spots to keep everyone safe and sound. The views following the Malta River? Seriously epic. Get ready for some serious mountain road magic!