
Can you drive to Newlands Pass?
England, europe
10.94 km
333 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Newlands Pass in the stunning northern Lake District of Cumbria, England! This isn't your average Sunday drive.
Can you handle it? The road, also known as Newlands Hause, is paved, but don't let that fool you. It's narrow with a serious incline. At the top (1,093ft), there's a small parking area to catch your breath.
This 6.8-mile route from Buttermere to Braithwaite is all about the views, but you'll need nerves of steel. Picture this: single-track roads, tight squeezes, and unforgiving stone walls. Oh, and did I mention the sheer drops with zero barriers? You'll be navigating some seriously steep sections, hitting a max gradient of 18.4%! Those hairpin turns can be slick, and trust me, meeting another car head-on gets your adrenaline pumping! While generally open year-round, winter can bring closures, so check before you go. Leave the heavy vehicles at home, and get ready for a ride you won't soon forget.
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 10.94 km
- Max Elevation
- 333 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateDriving the curvy and narrow road to Cason di Lanza Pass in the Alps
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo del Cason di Lanza Tucked away in northeastern Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, right near the Austrian border, sits Passo del Cason di Lanza—a seriously impressive alpine pass that peaks at 1,552m (5,091ft). Also known as Pas di Lance or Lanzenpass, this 30km stretch of fully paved road connects Paularo and Pontebba, making it a bucket-list ride for cycling enthusiasts and road-trippers alike. The Giro d'Italia has tackled this beast multiple times, and once you experience it, you'll understand why. You've got two distinct routes to the summit: from Pontebba, it's a punchy 15.6km climb with 991m elevation gain (6.4% average), while the Paularo side offers a slightly easier 15.4km push with 912m of climbing (5.9% average). Don't let those averages fool you though—the final 6km ramps up brutally with gradients hitting 16%. **Fair warning:** This isn't a leisurely Sunday drive. The narrow, twisty road clings to rock faces with plenty of blind corners, making oncoming traffic a genuinely nerve-wracking experience. You'll encounter some stretches of seriously rough pavement—think washed-out tarmac, loose drain covers, potholes, and the occasional rockfall or gravel section. The good news? These sketchy bits are marked with warning signs. Snow lingers until June, so plan accordingly. It's demanding, it's scenic, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart—but that's exactly what makes it unforgettable.
moderateAnfo Ridge Road is a pure Italian adventure
🇮🇹 Italy
# Anfo Ridge Road: Italy's Ultimate Alpine Adventure Ready for a drive that'll make your palms sweat and your heart race? Welcome to the Anfo Ridge Road in Brescia, Lombardy – a 20.1km (12.48 miles) beast that stretches east-west from Anfo to Passo del Maniva through the stunning Orobie Alps. This isn't your average scenic route. This is an old military road with serious Roman-era roots, and it absolutely lives up to its fearsome reputation. You're looking at a narrow, pothole-filled path with generous helpings of loose stones, unlit tunnels, and breathtaking (literally) unguarded drop-offs around every corner. Add in rockfall risks, hairpin turns, and a gnarly 12% maximum grade, and you've got yourself one heck of an adventure. Oh, and there's a speed limit of 20 km/h – which honestly seems generous given the conditions. The road conquers four mountain passes: Passo Baremone (1,450m), Passo della Spina (1,521m), Passo della Berga (1,527m), and the highest point, Passo del Dosso Alto (1,727m). It's high-altitude, exposed, and absolutely spectacular. Fair warning: this route was shut down for 6 years due to a landslide before reopening in 2009. They added some bypass tunnels in 2010, but the road still maintains its rough, untamed character. It's only accessible June through October (weather permitting), and vehicles over 2.5m wide or 3.2m tall need not apply. This is pure, unadulterated mountain driving – for those who crave the real deal.
extremeWhere is the road to Mavra Kremna located?
🇬🇷 Greece
Okay, picture this: Western Crete, Greece. You're headed for Mavra Kremna, a peak soaring to 2,016m (6,614ft) in the White Mountains (Lefka Ori). Forget your pavement princess – this is strictly off-road territory! We're talking a super rocky, unpaved track that demands respect. Starting near Mourio, this isn't a quick jaunt; it's a slow, technical climb. Think loose white stones under your tires, constantly battling for traction. You'll gain a serious amount of altitude – from the lower valleys all the way up past 2,000 meters. Say goodbye to vegetation up there! A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's essential. High clearance is your friend. This is not the place to test your rental sedan. Experience with rough mountain tracks is a huge plus. At the top? Stark alpine beauty. Think white rocks meeting deep blue skies, a panorama of the Chania prefecture that'll blow your mind. Just remember to pack everything you need – no water sources up here in the summer. Self-sufficiency is key in this remote, wild landscape. Worth the drive? Absolutely, for views you won't find anywhere else.
hardA gravel road to the top of Pas du Tanarel in the Ligurian Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Tanarello Pass: A Wild Alpine Adventure Perched at 2,042m (6,699ft) along the dramatic French-Italian border, Tanarello Pass is where serious adventurers come to test their mettle. Straddling the Alpes-Maritimes in France and Cuneo in Italy's Piedmont region, this crossing isn't for the faint of heart. Here's the thing—there's no pavement here. The entire route follows the Via del Sale, an ancient medieval trade route that once carried precious salt from Ventimiglia through to Limone Piemonte and beyond. Today, that 30km (18.64-mile) stretch between Limone Piemonte and Monesi di Triora is pure, unfiltered gravel and dirt. While sections have received some TLC over the years, this is still a rough, demanding track that demands respect. You'll encounter chunky gravel, nasty potholes, and patchy asphalt remnants that actually make things trickier rather than easier. This isn't a casual Sunday drive—you'll need a serious off-road vehicle with decent ground clearance and genuine confidence navigating brutal terrain. The real wildcard? Landslides are a constant threat here, sometimes rendering the entire pass impassable. Mother Nature calls the shots on this one. If you're the type who gets genuinely excited about genuine backcountry exploration and your vehicle can handle genuine punishment, Tanarello Pass delivers an authentic Alpine experience that most road-trippers will never experience. Just go in with eyes wide open and full respect for the mountain.