A narrow road to Cow Green Reservoir in England
England, europe
3 km
510 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Cow Green Reservoir, perched high up on the border between Cumbria and County Durham in England, about 1,673 feet above sea level. This isn't your average lake; it's a massive body of water, holding back a whopping 40,000 million liters! It was built back in the late '60s and early '70s by a crew of around 300 people to keep the industries down in Teesside humming.
Getting here is an adventure in itself. The road is paved, but it's a bit of a squeeze, so be prepared for some tight spots if you meet another car. It's a pretty steep climb too, with gradients hitting 9% in places, so give your engine a little pep talk before you start. From the village of Langdon Beck, it’s about 2.9 miles up to the car park. From there, a private road (gated, unfortunately) leads another 2 miles to the dam.
Good news: it's usually open year-round! Bad news: winter weather can be a real bummer, so expect closures. Even on a sunny day, pack a jacket because it can get chilly up there. In the winter, the water regularly freezes over – brrr!
But oh, the views! This drive rewards you with stunning panoramas of Cross Fell, Great and Little Dun Fells, Meldon Hill, and Mickle Fell – all those epic North Pennine peaks spread out before you. Trust me, it's worth the climb!
Where is it?
A narrow road to Cow Green Reservoir in England is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 53.9698, -0.9659
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 3 km
- Max Elevation
- 510 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 53.9698, -0.9659
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhat’s Beelitz Heilstätten?
🇩🇪 Germany
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Brandenburg region of Germany, Potsdam-Mittelmark district to be exact. You're on the L-88 near Fichtenwalde, and you take a turn onto a paved road that leads you straight to Beelitz Heilstätten. This place is seriously cool—an old sanatorium complex from the early 1900s, originally built for tuberculosis patients. Parts of it have been fixed up or turned into something new, but it still has this incredible historic vibe, perfect for snapping some photos and poking around. More than 100,000 patients were treated here over the first 25 years. The sanatorium was used as a military hospital during both World Wars, and after WWII the Russians used it, making it one of the largest outside of Russia. The last patients left in 1994. Now, you can actually visit and wander around without getting into trouble. People say the long history gives the place a kinda spooky feel, but hey, that just adds to the adventure, right? Just remember it's no longer fully abandoned, so you won't be completely alone as you explore!
hardCol de la Bataille
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Bataille: A Thrilling Alpine Climb Tucked away in the Drôme department of southeastern France, Col de la Bataille is a mountain pass that'll get your adrenaline pumping. Sitting at 1,313 meters (4,307 feet), this beauty is all asphalt—you'll be cruising on the D199—but don't let that fool you. The road is seriously steep with plenty of hairpin bends to keep things interesting. Fun fact: the actual highest point hits 1,336 meters right inside the Tunnel du Col de la Bataille, so you'll literally reach the peak while driving through! Ready to tackle it? You've got options depending on where you're starting from: **From Saint Jean en Royans**: This is the long game—30.3 km of climbing with 1,063 meters of elevation gain. You're looking at a mellow 3.5% average gradient, perfect if you want to take it easy and soak in the scenery. **From Oriol en Royans**: A solid middle-ground route at 23.7 km with 1,028 meters of elevation gain and a 4.3% average grade. Still challenging but more manageable than the first option. **From Leoncel**: The hardcore route. Just 8.3 km but absolutely punchy—400 meters of climbing with a steep 4.8% average grade. This one'll test your nerve. **From Les Trois Routes**: The gentle approach at 16.6 km and only 1.2% average gradient—basically a warm-up compared to the others. However you approach it, Col de la Bataille delivers an unforgettable Alpine experience.
moderateIreland's Wild Roads: A Thrilling Road Trip on the Edge of Adventure
🌍 Ireland
Heads up, thrill-seekers! If you're anywhere near Ireland's **Ballaghbeama Gap**, you HAVE to experience this road. It's a short hop through County Kerry, clocking in at just over 3 miles, but don't let that fool you. You'll be climbing from near sea level to over 700 feet in no time! Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. It's narrow – like, *really* narrow. Think squeezing past stone walls and praying you don't meet anything coming the other way. But the views? Oh. My. Goodness. Think dramatic mountain scenery, panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside, and a pure, unfiltered taste of the Emerald Isle. Just take it slow, keep your eyes peeled (especially for sheep!), and get ready for an unforgettable ride. Seriously, this is what Irish road trip dreams are made of!
moderateWhere is Puerto Camacho?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the heart of Andalusia, in southern Spain, headed for the Sierra de Lújar mountains. You're about to tackle Puerto Camacho, a mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,126m (3,694ft). This isn't just any drive; it's an experience. The road, A-4131, carves its way for 16.3 km (10.12 miles) from Órgiva to Haza del Lino, offering views that’ll make your jaw drop. Trust me, you’ll want to take your time! While the road to the pass itself is in decent shape, if you're feeling adventurous, at the summit, a beaten-up road winds its way up to Los Pelaos - Repetidor Lújar, a peak soaring to 1,873m (6,145ft). Be warned: this stretch is rough, with potholes, stones, and a bumpy ride all the way. Back on the main road, get ready for a twisty adventure! Think narrow sections, hairpin curves galore, and gradients that average 7%, but can crank up to 12% in spots. It's a challenging but rewarding drive, with views of the Alpujarra Granadina that are totally worth it. Get ready for an unforgettable Spanish road trip!