
A steep paved road to Flistjonnskaret in Telemark
Norway, europe
25.5 km
1,261 m
hard
Year-round
# Flistjønnskaret: Norway's Thrilling Mountain Challenge
Ready for an adrenaline rush? Flistjønnskaret is a mountain pass that'll get your heart pumping – sitting at a solid 1,261 meters (4,137 feet) above sea level in Telemark, southeastern Norway.
This 25.5 km (15.84 miles) ribbon of asphalt stretches north-south from Road 37 near Tveitolia all the way up to Tuddal, and trust us, it earns every meter of that elevation gain. The entire route is paved, which is great news, but here's the catch – it gets seriously steep, with gradients hitting a jaw-clenching 13%. The road also narrows considerably in sections, making it feel even more intense as you climb.
Fair warning: if you're piloting anything longer than a regular car, this isn't your pass. RVs and long vehicles simply don't work here – the tight turns and narrow stretches will have you white-knuckling the steering wheel.
The payoff? When you finally reach the summit, you're rewarded with views of Flisetjønn, a serene little mountain lake sitting right at the top. It's the perfect spot to catch your breath and soak in the Norwegian wilderness after conquering this beast of a climb.
Where is it?
A steep paved road to Flistjonnskaret in Telemark is located in Norway (europe). Coordinates: 65.4202, 12.5148
Road Details
- Country
- Norway
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 25.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,261 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 65.4202, 12.5148
Related Roads in europe
moderateDriving Route des Cols des Pyrenees with 34 remarkable mountain passes
🇫🇷 France
# Route des Cols des Pyrénées: A 585-Mile Alpine Adventure Ready for an unforgettable road trip? Buckle up for the Route des Cols des Pyrénées, a spectacular 942 km journey that stretches from the Atlantic coast all the way to the Mediterranean. This isn't just any drive—it's a masterclass in mountain scenery, crossing a whopping 34 alpine passes and climbing nearly 16,000 meters of elevation. Built back in the 1800s under Napoleon III and his wife Eugénie, this route originally connected the region's most luxurious spa towns. Today, it remains entirely paved and winds through all six French Pyrenees departments, with about half the route cutting through the Midi-Pyrénées region. Many of these passes have become legendary thanks to the Tour de France—cycling enthusiasts will instantly recognize names like Tourmalet and Aubisque. What makes this drive truly special is how dramatically the landscape shifts. Head from the Mediterranean side toward the Atlantic, and you'll witness wild transformations in scenery, culture, language, and cuisine as you move through Mediterranean France into Occitan and Basque country. The panoramic views are simply stunning. But here's the reality check: Mother Nature plays for keeps up here. Expect ice, snow, Atlantic storms, flash floods, and rockslides. Free-range cattle, horses, and deer roam freely, while some impatient drivers keep things interesting. Winter visitors should know that higher passes typically shut down from late October through mid-June due to snow. Even in summer, weather can turn treacherous fast—Atlantic storms drop temperatures rapidly and can trigger flash floods at lower elevations. Pro tip: Travel between April and mid-June? Check the weather each morning before you go. And if storms roll in, Spain's just 20-30 km south with a completely different (usually sunnier) forecast.
hardIbón de Piedrafita
🇪🇸 Spain
# Ibón de Piedrafita: A True Alpine Adventure Tucked away in the Huesca province of Aragon, Spain, sits the stunning Ibón de Piedrafita alpine lake, perched at a cool 1,622 meters (5,321 feet) above sea level. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—it's a genuine mountain expedition that'll get your heart pumping and your jaw dropping. Starting from Piedrafita de Jaca, you're looking at a challenging 5.7 km trek uphill with 373 meters of elevation gain. Yeah, that's a punchy 6.54% average gradient, and trust us, you'll feel every bit of it. The road itself? Let's just say it's best described as gravel and rocky, with sections that are tippy and seriously bumpy. You'll absolutely need a proper 4x4 to tackle this beast. The scenery along the way is absolutely worth the bumpy ride, though—the views of Valle de Tena are genuinely spectacular. Just keep in mind that Mother Nature pretty much shuts this road down from October through June, so plan your visit accordingly (weather permitting, of course). **Fair warning:** This route is currently closed to private motor vehicles, so before you fire up that engine, make sure you've got the proper permits or consider hiring a local guide who knows these trails like the back of their hand.
hardWhere is Les Ecouges?
🇫🇷 France
Les Ecouges, nestled in the Isère department of France, is a wild ride you won't soon forget. Think you're good with heights? This road will test you! Located west of Grenoble in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, this beauty, also known as route départementale 35 (RD 35), snakes for 20.4 km (12.67 miles) from Rovon to Rencurel. The highlight? The Route des Ecouges, which blasts through an impressive 500m tunnel at Pont Chabert. Pop out the other side, and bam! You're suspended above a waterfall before plunging down to the Isère Valley. This windy road, first built way back in 1833, zigzags up to Rencurel and then across mountain pastures toward the Col de Romeyère. Seriously, though, this road isn't for the faint of heart. It's one of the most vertiginous routes into Le Vercors, hugging the contours of the landscape. It's a slow cruise designed to let you soak in the Ecouges massif and the Vercors. Expect twisty sections, tunnels, and glimpses of grazing animals in the meadows. Note: it's often closed in winter due to snow. Large vehicles, like trucks and lorries, aren't allowed, but most other vehicles are good to go. Just take it slow, and enjoy the scenery!
moderateThe steep narrow road to Lac des Gloriettes
🇫🇷 France
# Barrage des Gloriettes: A High-Alpine Adventure in the Pyrenees Nestled in the Hautes-Pyrénées of southwestern France, Barrage des Gloriettes is a stunning high mountain lake that's absolutely worth the drive—if you're ready for it. Perched at 1,673 meters (5,488 feet) above sea level, this reservoir sits right in the heart of the Pyrenees, that magnificent mountain range straddling the France-Spain border. The road to get there? It's a thrilling experience. The D922 is paved, but don't let that fool you—it's narrow enough to ban buses and trucks, which tells you something about what you're getting into. What awaits is a jaw-dropping 2.2-kilometer stretch of pure mountain magic, climbing 212 meters with an average gradient of 9.63%. Translation: hairpin turns galore, with virtually every bend offering new vistas of the Cirque d'Estaube unfolding beneath you. The surface is rough in places, and those hairpins are relentless—this isn't a leisurely cruise. But the payoff is spectacular scenery that'll have you itching to pull over at every turn. Just know that summer is peak season, so the parking lot gets packed with fellow adventure-seekers. Plan accordingly. One major caveat: this road is typically closed from November through June, so timing is everything. Hit it during the warmer months, and you've got yourself an unforgettable alpine experience.