
Buguzun Pass: experienced drivers only
Russia, europe
55 km
2,610 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Buguzun Pass, straddling the border of Tuva and Altai in Russia, is calling your name. This isn't your grandma's Sunday drive – we're talking about a rugged, totally unpaved track that climbs to a staggering 2,610 meters (8,562 feet)!
Starting near Kosh-Agach, this 55km (34 mile) beast of a road winds its way through the heart of the Altai Mountains. Forget your low-riders; you'll need a serious 4x4 with major ground clearance. Why? Because you'll be fording rivers – yeah, multiple! Speaking of those river crossings, a little experience goes a long way. Don't even think about tackling them solo or when the weather's looking dodgy. Trust me, these rivers can turn nasty fast.
Out here, you're trading modern comforts for raw, untamed beauty. Electricity? Hot showers? Nope. Just you, the mountains, and the challenge ahead. The final stretch is a real nail-biter, following the Buguzun riverbed itself! Think stones, boulders, and some seriously steep sections, hitting gradients of up to 12.4%. Oh, and plan your trip carefully – this road is usually snowed in from late October until late June/early July. Watch out for those sharp rocks and definitely avoid this route after a rainstorm.
Where is it?
Buguzun Pass: experienced drivers only is located in Russia (europe). Coordinates: 62.7639, 38.3053
Road Details
- Country
- Russia
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 55 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,610 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 62.7639, 38.3053
Related Roads in europe
moderateKystriksveien Coastal Road is one of the 101 World’s most Scenic Routes
🇳🇴 Norway
# Kystriksveien: Norway's Ultimate Coastal Road Trip Ready for one of the world's most stunning drives? Kystriksveien—Norwegian County Road 17—stretches 630 kilometres along Norway's Nordland coastline, connecting Steinkjer in Trøndelag to Bodø in the north. You'll literally cross the Arctic Circle on this adventure, and National Geographic ranked it among the 101 most scenic routes on the planet for good reason. This winding, narrow (but fully paved) coastal highway is totally doable in a single day if you're in a rush—most drivers knock it out in 7-10 hours. But honestly? Don't do that. Set aside 4-5 days minimum. You'll need it to properly soak in the experience, especially since the route includes at least six ferry crossings (ranging from 10 minutes to an hour each). The islands themselves are worth exploring too. What makes Kystriksveien so special is the sheer variety packed into one drive. You've got charming fishing villages, pristine white sandy beaches, dramatic mountain peaks, and some seriously jaw-dropping fjords carved deep by ancient glaciers—some stretching over 200 kilometres inland. Along the way, you'll spot famous landmarks like Torghatten mountain, the Seven Sisters range, Svartisen glacier, and Saltstraumen, home to the world's most powerful whirlpools. With roughly 12,000 islands dotting the coast, there's endless exploring to be done. The traffic is light most of the time, though weekends and peak holiday season get busier. Gas stations and grocery stores are conveniently scattered along the route. One fun fact: this road was built by 144,000 prisoners during the 1940s. Pro tip—check the weather forecast before you go. This drive is genuinely magical in good conditions, so timing matters.
extremeHow steep is Muro di Campeggio?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, near the charming village of Pergoloso, and you stumble upon what the locals call the Muro di Campeggio. This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a brute of a climb, legendary in cycling circles, and a real test for anything with wheels. We're talking a paved ribbon of asphalt, less than 2km long, but don't let the short distance fool you. This bad boy averages a gradient of almost 16%! And then it gets *nasty*. Prepare yourself for sections where the road rears up at a ludicrous 29%. Seriously, it makes some other famous European climbs look like gentle slopes. For drivers, you'll need your A-game. Make sure your cooling system is in top shape and your engine's got serious torque. Those 29% sections demand perfect weight distribution to keep your tires gripping, especially if it's damp or leaf-strewn. Cyclists, pack your granny gear (think 34x32 or even lower). This climb will punish anything less. The road itself is narrow, snaking through a forest, so visibility can be limited on those hairpin turns. The descent is just as wild – constant brake modulation is a must to avoid overheating. Starting in the valley near Pergoloso, it shoots straight up towards the ridge. It's a local route, mainly for residents and farm vehicles, so expect minimal traffic, but be ready for the unexpected. Oh, and did I mention there aren't any safety barriers on those tight bends? Before you even think about tackling this beast, check your tire pressure and make sure your brake pads are in good nick. And if there's even a hint of frost in winter? Forget about it. The traction needed on that grade is just impossible for most vehicles. Get ready for an unforgettable, if somewhat painful, experience!
hardNedeia
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Let's talk about the Nedeia Pass in Romania, straddling Vâlcea and Gorj counties. This baby climbs up to a whopping 2,085 meters (that's 6,840 feet!), making it one of the highest roads you'll find in the country. Now, don't get any ideas about cruising in your grandma's sedan. This is a gravel road, and it's bumpy. Plus, being so high up, it gets hammered with snow in the winter, so it might be closed without warning. Seriously, come prepared. You'll absolutely need a 4x4. And if it's rained recently? Forget about it – things get tricky with the loose gravel. Do your homework, pack right, and you might just have an unforgettable (and safe!) trip.
hardThe abandoned Tunnel du Mortier in France
🇫🇷 France
# Tunnel du Mortier: France's Haunting Mountain Passage Tucked away in the Isère department of southeastern France, the Tunnel du Mortier sits at a dramatic 1,370 meters (4,494 feet) in the heart of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This quirky piece of mountain infrastructure has quite the backstory. Originally built back in 1911, the tunnel got a major makeover in 1968 for the Grenoble Winter Olympics. A plaque at the north entrance commemorates the upgrade, which was officially inaugurated on September 30th by Louis Verger. But here's where things get interesting: the road didn't last much longer. In April 1992, a massive rockfall—roughly 20,000 cubic meters of rock—came crashing down just below the summit of the Buffe, destroying the access road and making the whole situation dangerously unstable. The kicker? This happened just a kilometer from another epic collapse in 1971 (50,000 cubic meters). Given the road's limited importance and the ongoing threat of more slides, authorities threw in the towel and closed it for good. These days, the two-lane tunnel (all 500 meters of it) sees hikers and mountain bikers instead of cars. The first 100 meters are straightforward, but the middle section gets seriously dark—bring a light. The smooth interior is blessedly obstacle-free, though you'll spot a few rocks toward the Isère end where daylight returns. The approach road, D218, is paved but narrow with brutal gradients hitting 12% on some sections. The southeastern side is still drivable up to the tunnel, but the northwestern side has completely collapsed. Beyond the tunnel, a massive rockslide blocks any further progress, though adventurous souls with proper caution can cross it to descend into the Vercors. A forest track was briefly developed in 2017, but a landslide during winter 2021-2022 shut that down too. Mother Nature clearly has the final say here.