Adventure along the Haustsjoen Mountain Road
Norway, europe
22 km
1,035 m
easy
Year-round
# Haustsjøen Mountain Road
Ready for some serious Norwegian mountain scenery? The Haustsjøen Mountain Road winds through Innlandet County in southern Norway, and it's absolutely worth the detour. Named after the picturesque Haustsjøen Lake, this 22 km (13.67 miles) stretch takes you from Grimsbu all the way east to Fylkesveg 686 Road near Alvdal—and yeah, it's a toll road, but trust us, the views make it worthwhile.
Here's the real talk: the entire route is unpaved, which adds to the adventure. You *can* tackle most of it in a regular car, but once you hit Reinslia heading east, good ground clearance becomes essential for that final couple of kilometers. If you want the smoothest ride and total peace of mind, bring a 4x4.
The road climbs to a peak elevation of 1,035m (3,395 ft), snaking through absolutely stunning mountain terrain. Along the way, you'll spot charming little mountain huts scattered throughout the landscape that feel straight out of a Nordic fairy tale. It's the kind of drive that makes you understand why people fall in love with Norway's wilderness.
Where is it?
Adventure along the Haustsjoen Mountain Road is located in Norway (europe). Coordinates: 64.8109, 13.4500
Road Details
- Country
- Norway
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 22 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,035 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 64.8109, 13.4500
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Qafë Thanë?
🇦🇱 Albania
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Albania/North Macedonia border at Qafë Thanë, a mountain pass chilling at 1,000m (3,280ft). This is the main drag connecting the two countries, specifically linking Korçë County in Albania and the Southwestern Region of North Macedonia. The whole route's paved, so no worries there. It's part of the E852 international motorway, known as SH9 in Albania and A2 in Macedonia. Just be ready for some steep climbs, hitting gradients up to 7% in places. The pass sits right on Lake Ohrid's shores and stretches for about 15.9 km (9.87 miles), going south to north from the SH3 Road in Albania all the way to Struga, a super popular tourist spot on the North Macedonian side of the lake. So, you're looking at some pretty stunning lake views along the way.
moderateWhere is Pico El Morredero?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're in the Province of León, Spain, ready for an adventure. You're headed to Pico El Morredero, a mountain peak soaring to 2,021 meters (that's 6,630 feet!). You'll find it south-southeast of El Bierzo, in the Montes Aquilanos range, part of the bigger Montes de León. Up top, you'll see some cool communication towers. Heads up: the 3.4 km (2.11 mile) road to the summit is allllll unpaved. Seriously, leave your low-rider at home – you'll want a 4x4 for this one. This east-west route branches off Road LE-CV-192/21, near the Albergue de San Francisco. Keep in mind that you're pretty high up, so the weather can be a beast, especially in winter when the road is usually snowed in. But if you catch it right, the views are totally worth the trek!
extremeThe road to Kus Yuvasi Pass will take your breath away
🇹🇷 Turkey
# Kuş Yuvası: Turkey's Notorious Bird's Nest Pass Nestled in Turkey's stunning Taurus Mountains, Kuş Yuvası (literally "Bird's Nest") sits at 1,388m elevation and offers one of the most thrilling—and terrifying—driving experiences in the Mediterranean region. Located within the beautiful Dim Çayı Milli Parkı natural park in Alanya District, this pass has earned a fearsome reputation that's well-deserved. At just 2.8 km long, this fully paved road packs an insane amount of danger into a short distance. The pavement itself has deteriorated significantly over the years thanks to harsh weather and frequent rockslides, creating an already challenging surface. But that's just the beginning of the drama here. The real kicker? On one side, you're hugged by sheer canyon walls, and on the other side... well, there's nothing but a dizzying drop into the abyss. Hairpin turns so sharp they'll make your head spin alternate with sections narrower than a meter wide. Loose gravel scattered across the road, zero safety barriers, and those cliff-edge drops combine into what locals grimly call "the road of death"—and for good reason. This pass has claimed many lives over the decades, with vehicles regularly plummeting off the cliffs. The good news? Authorities finally took action. A massive tunnel project has bypassed much of the most dangerous terrain, with 8 kilometers of tunnels now rerouting traffic away from those deadly cliff edges. While the new route is considerably safer, it's still a white-knuckle drive with plenty of tight turns. Experienced riders only, please.
moderateCol de la Forclaz in Martigny: A Scenic Mountain Pass in Switzerland's Valais Canton
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Col de la Forclaz: A Swiss Alpine Adventure If you're looking for a serious mountain road experience, Col de la Forclaz is calling your name. Sitting pretty at 1,532 meters (5,026 feet) in the Valais region of Switzerland, this pass has been turning heads—and challenging drivers—for nearly two centuries. Here's the cool part: this route actually has some serious history. Back in the day, smugglers and mule teams used it to cross between Martigny and France. The pass got its first tunnel in 1836 (upgraded in 1905), and it wasn't until 1920 that regular folks in cars could even use it. Before that? Public transport only. Talk about exclusive! The 21.5-kilometer (13.35-mile) stretch from the French border up to Martigny-Combe is fully paved and beautifully maintained, winding through some truly spectacular Alpine scenery. The road hugs the northern edge of the Massif du Mont Blanc, treating you to views that make the drive itself part of the reward. There's even a hotel-restaurant at the summit—been there since around 1830—so you can take a breather at the top. Now, let's talk about what makes this pass legendary: it's a Tour de France staple for a reason. Those steep sections? They hit 11.1% gradient in places, which means this isn't exactly a leisurely cruise. It's demanding, exhilarating, and absolutely worth the effort. **Fair warning:** Winter can shut this road down without notice. Snow chains or winter tires aren't optional—they're essential for safe passage during the colder months.