
A lovely drive to Fluela Pass in the heart of the Swiss Alps
Switzerland, europe
25.4 km
2,391 m
hard
Year-round
# Flüela Pass: A Swiss Alpine Adventure
Ready for a seriously thrilling drive? Flüela Pass sits pretty at 2,391m (7,844ft) in Switzerland's Graubünden canton, nestled right on the border between the Albula and Silvretta Alps. It's one of only three paved routes that connect the Engadin valley to northern Grisons—making it a must-do for mountain road enthusiasts.
Built way back in 1867 to handle stagecoaches, Route 28 stretches 25.4km (15.78 miles) between Davos and Susch with pristine pavement throughout. Fair warning though: this beauty isn't a year-round playground. Thanks to serious avalanche risks, the pass typically shuts down from late December through early May, and even during open season, it only operates in the evenings and at night when the sun isn't heating up the slopes.
Once you're on it, prepare yourself. The road climbs steeply—up to 12% gradient in places—with 37 hairpin turns that'll definitely test your driving skills. The curves are tight and winding, especially as the wider sections narrow toward the end. Most drivers spend 40-45 minutes reaching the summit without stopping, and honestly, you probably won't have much company up there.
When you reach the top, pull into the parking area and soak in the jaw-dropping views of Lake Davorsee. The historic Flüela Hospice sits right at the summit. Davos, the gateway town, is Europe's highest altitude destination and a major alpine resort with museums, horse-drawn sleigh rides through picturesque side valleys, and endless outdoor activities. This is what alpine driving dreams are made of.
Where is it?
A lovely drive to Fluela Pass in the heart of the Swiss Alps is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.9090, 8.2850
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 25.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,391 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.9090, 8.2850
Related Roads in europe
moderateMonte Colmo
🇮🇹 Italy
# Monte Colmo Tucked away in Lombardy's stunning High Camonica valley, Monte Colmo is a serious alpine challenge sitting pretty at 1,933 meters (6,341 feet). This mountain pass in Italy's Brescia province isn't messing around—it's a real test of your driving skills and nerves. The paved route, Via Monte Colmo, climbs an intense 12.5 kilometers starting from the charming town of Edolo (675m). What makes this pass particularly thrilling? Several tunnels punctuate the ascent, including one seriously long stretch that's unlit—so definitely pack some headlights and a sense of adventure. With an average gradient of 9.4% and sections hitting a brutal 12%, this isn't your casual Sunday drive. The consistent, punishing climbs demand respect and attention, making every hairpin and switchback feel like you've earned it. If you're after authentic alpine driving with real elevation gains and dramatic mountain scenery, Monte Colmo delivers the goods.
moderateChris Froome has become the first man to cycle non-stop the Eurotunnel
🇫🇷 France
# The Channel Tunnel: Where Engineering Meets Adventure Back in 1993, something pretty incredible happened – they finished the Channel Tunnel, and it's still the longest undersea tunnel in the world. This engineering marvel finally created a permanent link between Great Britain and continental Europe, making the dream of a fixed crossing between England and France a reality. The numbers are impressive: 51km (32 miles) of tunnel stretching beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover, connecting Folkestone on the English side to Coquelles near Calais in France. It's actually three tunnels bundled together – two for trains and one central tunnel for maintenance and emergency access. These days, the tunnel buzzes with life. High-speed Eurostar passenger trains zoom through regularly, whisking travelers from London to Paris in style. Can't drive your own car through? No problem – just drive onto the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle instead. You park your vehicle on the train, sit back, and let the tunnel do the work. Here's where it gets fun: the tunnel has played host to some seriously cool firsts. In 2014, cyclist Chris Froome pedaled through the service tunnel in just 55 minutes, averaging 65kmph and becoming the first person to cycle non-stop between Folkestone and Coquelles. It's pretty wild when you think about it – he was riding 100 meters below the waves! The impact has been massive too. Trade, tourism, logistics – the tunnel transformed transportation between the UK and Europe, strengthening economic ties and opening up endless possibilities for both passengers and freight. It's basically become the lifeblood of cross-Channel commerce.
extremeDriving One of the Steepest Roads in Europe to Llano de las Animas
🇪🇸 Spain
# Llano de las Ánimas: La Palma's Brutal Mountain Beast Want to test your driving skills? Head to the Canary Islands and tackle Llano de las Ánimas, a seriously gnarly high mountain plateau sitting at 2,036m (6,679ft) that'll make your palms sweat and your legs burn. This road is absolutely relentless. Starting from Puntagorda, you're looking at a 7.6 km (4.72 miles) slog that climbs a jaw-dropping 1,252m with an average gradient of 16.47%. But here's the kicker—the final 3 km? That's where things get absolutely mental, with gradients hitting 19-20%. Yeah, some say it's one of Europe's steepest roads, and honestly, the numbers don't lie. Located in the western part of La Palma in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the plateau sits just west of the iconic Roque de los Muchachos. The good news? The entire road is paved. The catch? The last 3 km narrow to a concrete ribbon that cuts through a firewall, and "narrow" doesn't even begin to describe it. You'll be white-knuckling through some of the tightest, steepest switchbacks imaginable. At the summit, there's a water raft waiting to greet you—a nice reward for conquering one of the most brutal climbs you'll encounter anywhere. If you're into extreme driving experiences, this one's a must-do. Just bring your A-game and nerves of steel.
hardHow to get by car to Agios Georgios beach?
🇬🇷 Greece
# Agios Georgios Beach, Folegandros If you're after one of the most stunning coastal drives you'll ever experience, Agios Georgios is calling your name. This hidden gem sits on the northwestern corner of Folegandros in Greece's Cyclades, boasting pristine sandy shores and water so impossibly blue you'll think your camera is lying. Fair warning though: this beach is *windy*. Like, seriously windy. Always check the forecast before you go—it's not just a suggestion, it's basically essential. The drive itself? That's where things get spicy. Starting from Ano Meria (Folegandros's second-largest village), you've got a 5.3 km journey ahead on a rough, unpaved dirt road that's definitely not for the faint of heart. The narrow path winds down toward the sea with some genuinely steep drop-offs—so if you've got passengers who get queasy about heights, maybe give them a heads-up. As you get closer to the beach, the road gets even more dramatic, with one particularly gnarly section near the end that drops about 20% and gets seriously uneven. But here's the thing: the challenge is absolutely worth it. You'll arrive at this completely secluded, uninhabited beach feeling like you've discovered something truly special.