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
moderateHow Long is Egholm Road?
🌍 Denmark
Alright, picture this: you're escaping to the super chill Danish island of Egholm, and guess what? There's basically one road to rule them all! The only road on the island stretches from the ferry landing to the adorable little town of Egholm. Is it long? Nope, completely. So, is it worth the "drive"? Absolutely, if you're into laid-back vibes! Since it's the only road here, it's your scenic route to, well, everywhere. You'll hit viewpoints overlooking the sea and there's plenty of cool nature to soak in. Egholm's got a coastline made for crabbing, exploring, and spotting cool beach critters. It's a perfect way to spend a day!
moderateA paved road to Coe Pass in the Venetian Prealps
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo Coe Tucked away in Italy's Trentino-Alto Adige region, Passo Coe sits pretty at 1,610 meters (5,282 feet) above sea level. This mountain pass is a serious climb that'll test your driving skills—and your patience. The route up is via Strada Provinciale 143 (SP143), starting from Calliano. You're looking at 19 km (11.8 miles) of steady ascending with a brutal 1,428 meters of elevation gain. That works out to an average gradient of 7.5%—totally doable, but definitely demanding. The good news? The entire road is paved and generally well-maintained, so at least you won't be wrestling with a rough surface while you're grinding your way up. This climb has serious pedigree too—it's a former Giro d'Italia mountain stage, so you'll be following in the tire tracks of professional cyclists who've conquered it. Once you reach the top, you'll find a decent-sized parking lot (paid), plus a handful of bars and restaurants where you can catch your breath and grab some fuel. There's also a mountain refuge if you're planning to stay overnight. One thing to keep in mind: the upper sections can get sketchy during winter. Snow and ice might force temporary closures from late autumn through early spring, so always check local conditions before heading up if you're visiting outside the warmer months.
extremeConca Cialancia
🇮🇹 Italy
# Conca Cialancia: An Alpine Adventure Ready for a heart-pounding alpine experience? Conca Cialancia (also called Punta Cialancia) is a stunning mountain pass sitting at a breathtaking 2,855 meters (9,366 feet) in Italy's Parco Naturale di Conca Cialancia near Torino. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—it's a serious alpine challenge. The road itself is a restored WWI military track, and it absolutely lives up to its dramatic history. Expect a narrow, rocky, and steep route that'll test your nerves and your vehicle's capabilities. In many sections, you're driving along edges with hundreds of meters of unprotected drop-offs—there are virtually no guardrails, so one wrong move has serious consequences. Winter? Forget about it. The road is completely impassable when snow and ice arrive. The motor vehicle ban kicks in at 2,451 meters (8,041 feet), so that's where your driving adventure ends, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. The entire route serves up jaw-dropping panoramic views and winds past several pristine mountain lakes that'll make you want to stop at every curve. This is definitely an extreme road for experienced drivers only—thrilling, beautiful, and unforgiving.
hardPlan Maison
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Plan Maison, nestled way up in the Italian Aosta Valley, is calling your name. We're talking a dizzying 2,552 meters (8,372 feet) above sea level! Now, this isn't your typical smooth tarmac cruise. Think rocky, think gravel, think chairlift access trail – because that's exactly what it is. This is seriously one of Italy's highest roads, so bragging rights are definitely on the table. Be warned, though: "steep" doesn't even begin to cover it. We're talking loose stones, and it just gets steeper and rockier as you climb. The window to tackle this beast is tiny – late August, usually. The wind? Relentless. Seriously, pack layers because even in summer, snow isn't out of the question. Winter? Forget about it – brutally cold. Expect a ski-station service road with some insane sections clocking in at a 10% gradient. But hey, the summit? Totally worth it. You'll find restaurants, hotels, and shops. A welcome oasis after that climb.