Can you drive to Cristo Redentore di Maratea?
Italy, europe
6.8 km
592 m
hard
Year-round
Ready for an Italian adventure? Head to Maratea, a charming town on the Tyrrhenian coast, and get ready for a climb! You can totally drive up to see the Cristo Redentore di Maratea, a massive Christ statue perched atop Monte San Biágio.
The road is paved the whole way, winding and twisting up to 592 meters (1,942 feet). Once you arrive you can witness the famous Christ the Redeemer of Maratea and the Santuario di San Biagio, it’s really an amazing sight.
The ascent is only 6.8 kilometers (4.22 miles), but don't let the short distance fool you! You'll gain 396 meters in elevation with some ramps hitting an 11% maximum gradient. That's an average gradient of 5.82%, so get ready for a workout for your car (or your legs, if you're cycling!).
The road is a real rollercoaster, throwing you into 18 hairpin turns. The views are incredible! It's a bit of a white-knuckle drive, especially the last few hundred meters, but totally worth it for the statue and the stunning panorama from the top. Just make sure the weather is clear, otherwise you might not see a thing!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 6.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 592 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhere is the Kemaliye Stone Road?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, picture this: you're in eastern Turkey, smack-dab in the Erzincan Province, ready for an adventure. Forget your smooth highways, because you're about to tackle the Kemaliye Stone Road! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a hand-built path clinging to the side of the Kemaliye Karanlık Canyon, a gorge so deep the sun barely peeks in (it's the second biggest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon). Spanning just 8.7 kilometers from the D877 to Gümüşçeşme, it sounds short, right? Don't be fooled. This narrow track, often less than 2 meters wide, snakes its way through a staggering *38 tunnels*. Yes, you read that right, 38! These aren't fancy, well-lit tunnels, either. They're carved right into the rock, a testament to the sheer willpower of the locals who started building this thing way back in 1870 and didn't finish until 2002. That's over 130 years! Why so long? Because the terrain is brutal. You're hugging cliffs hundreds of meters above the raging Euphrates, with no guardrails to save you from a tumble. This isn't a road for the faint of heart, or for larger vehicles (think less than 170cm wide and 220cm tall). And definitely avoid it in winter, or even wet conditions, when the dirt turns to treacherous mud. But if you're an experienced driver craving a thrill and some truly surreal scenery, the Kemaliye Stone Road is calling your name. Just remember to take it slow, and maybe say a little prayer at the memorial for those who lost their lives building this insane, incredible road.
hardHow to get by car to Lake Kapetan?
🌍 Montenegro
Okay, picture this: Kapetanovo Lake, a shimmering gem nestled high in Montenegro's Morača region at a cool 1,678 meters (that's 5,505 feet for my American friends!). This glacial lake is stashed away in the Moracke Planine mountains, and let me tell you, the views are worth the trek. You'll even find a few spots to grab a bite or crash for the night. Getting there is an adventure in itself! The 47 km (29 miles) route kicks off from Nikšić, winding alongside the Gračanica River on smooth, paved roads. But hold on, because things get interesting after you veer off toward Dragovoljci. This is where that SUV comes in handy. Suddenly, it's a single-lane rollercoaster with hairpin turns that'll test your passing skills. Soon, the pavement gives way to a wilder ride – loose rocks, deep ruts, the whole shebang. A 4x4 is your best bet here, but a high-clearance 2WD SUV *might* make it if you're careful. A bit further along, the path mellows out, cruising through shady forests on gravel and dirt. Keep an eye out for those ruts and tight bends, especially if you're in a longer vehicle (over 5 meters). Then, BAM! The trees open up to stunning alpine meadows, with views stretching all the way to distant wind turbines. Eventually, sweet, sweet pavement returns, guiding you (albeit with a few potholes) up a steep final climb to the lake. Just be mindful – the last stretch is super narrow. And then, there it is! Kapetanovo Lake, a turquoise dream sprawled across the high plateau. Trust me, the off-road bumps and single-lane stress are instantly forgotten when you soak in this view. Oh, and if you're feeling extra adventurous, there's a gravel road nearby that climbs to Vojnovac peak at 2,069 meters (6,788 feet). Talk about a photo op!
difficultAmalfi Coast Road
🇮🇹 Italy
# The Amalfitana: Italy's Most Thrilling Coastal Drive Welcome to the SS163 Amalfitana, a jaw-dropping 50-kilometer ribbon of asphalt that clings to the Sorrentine Peninsula like it's defying gravity. Built by the Bourbons back in the mid-1800s, this legendary coastal road connects the charming town of Vietri sul Mare to the picturesque village of Positano, and honestly? It's absolutely worth every heart-pounding switchback. Here's what you're getting yourself into: sheer limestone cliffs plunging hundreds of meters down to the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea, dramatic tunnels carved straight through rock, and hairpin turns so tight you'll wonder how the locals do it (spoiler: they're professionals for a reason). The road threads through some of Italy's most enchanting coastal gems—Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano, and Positano—each one more charming than the last. Fair warning: this isn't your typical highway. Sections are genuinely narrow, leaving barely enough room for two cars to squeeze past each other, so nerves of steel and patience are essential. But here's the payoff—the views are absolutely surreal. Picture terraced lemon groves tumbling down the mountainside, pastel-colored houses stacked like a puzzle above the sea, and Mediterranean vistas that'll stop you in your tracks at every turn. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Amalfi Coast has earned its reputation as one of Europe's most iconic drives. Just maybe let someone else drive if you're feeling queasy.
moderateA brutal unpaved road to Col des Pres
🇫🇷 France
# Col des Prés Ready for a proper alpine adventure? Col des Prés sits pretty at 2,652m (8,700ft) in France's Savoie department—making it one seriously high mountain pass. You'll find it nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France, just a stone's throw from the Italian border and west of the impressive Rocher du Charvet peak. Here's the thing: this isn't your typical paved mountain road. The entire route is completely unpaved, and frankly, it's built as a chairlift access trail for the Val d'Isère ski resort. You'll need a proper 4x4 to even attempt it. The drive from Val-d'Isère to the summit is only 6km (3.72 miles), but those are six seriously rugged kilometers. Perched high in the stunning French Alps within Vanoise National Park, this route offers incredible scenery—but come winter, forget about it. The road becomes completely impassable once the snow rolls in, so timing your visit is absolutely crucial. This is peak summer adventure territory for hardcore off-road enthusiasts who want to experience the raw beauty of the high Alps.