Corkscrew Hill is a thrilling drive through time on Ireland's historic route
Ireland, europe
16.1 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, road trip fans, because Corkscrew Hill in County Clare, Ireland is calling your name! This isn't just any drive, it's a full-on historical adventure through the wild and wonderful Burren region.
Part of the N67, this baby is paved, stretching for about 10 miles (16.1 km) from Lisdoonvarna up to Ballyvaughan. Word to the wise: pay attention! Those curves are seriously twisty, and this old road wasn't exactly built for today's family cars and minivans. Keep it slow, watch for the signs, and you'll be golden.
Get ready for four major switchbacks that'll have you gripping the wheel (in a good way!). This narrow, winding route snakes its way through the Clare countryside, and trust me, you'll want to pull over at the scenic viewpoint. The view of the natural amphitheater carved out by ancient glaciers is seriously mind-blowing.
But here's the really incredible part: Corkscrew Hill was built between 1845 and 1851 during the Great Famine. Imagine peasants, working for food during those tough times, building this road to survive. It's a powerful reminder of history right beneath your tires. So, are you ready for a drive you won’t soon forget?
Where is it?
Corkscrew Hill is a thrilling drive through time on Ireland's historic route is located in Ireland (europe). Coordinates: 52.5078, -7.7839
Road Details
- Country
- Ireland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 16.1 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 52.5078, -7.7839
Related Roads in europe
hardLaghi di Champlong
🇮🇹 Italy
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! If you find yourself in the stunning Aosta Valley of northwest Italy, and you're itching for a real off-road challenge, then Laghi di Champlong needs to be on your radar. We're talking a climb to 2,353 meters (that's over 7,700 feet!), so buckle up. The road? Well, "road" might be a generous term. Think gravel, rocks, and a whole lot of bumpiness. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. Not for the faint of heart, this one! Heads up: Mother Nature calls the shots here. Expect the road to be a no-go zone from October to June, thanks to snow. And even in the summer months, be prepared for the possibility of a surprise snow day. It gets seriously cold up here, and the wind? Let's just say it's a constant companion. Heights a problem? Maybe skip this one. But for those who dare, the views are absolutely worth it. Just keep an eye on the weather – thunderstorms can turn that rocky track into a real 4x4 nightmare or even make it impassable. So, experienced off-roaders only for this epic Italian adventure!
hardDriving to Tete de la Grave in the Heart of Provence
🇫🇷 France
# Tête de la Grave: A Wild Alpine Adventure Ready for something wild? Tête de la Grave sits pretty at 1,650m (5,413ft) in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, nestled within the Mont Ventoux Natural Regional Park in southeastern France. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—it's a 3.9km (2.42 miles) beast that'll test your nerves and your vehicle. Here's the thing: only the first 650 meters are paved. After that? You're on a rough, unpaved road for the remaining 3.3km. That means you're going to feel every bump as you climb higher into the Savoy Alps. The views? Absolutely stunning. But the conditions? Prepare yourself. This pass is legendary for one reason: wind. Serious, unrelenting wind. We're talking gusts that have hit 320 km/h (200 mph)—yes, you read that right. On a normal day, you'll face winds of 90+ km/h (56+ mph), and that happens about 240 days a year. The mistral wind is particularly notorious here. At the top, you're standing on bare limestone with zero vegetation to shield you from the elements. You'll be completely exposed. The climb can be brutal—heat and wind working together to make every meter a real battle. Winter? Forget about it. The road is typically impassable from December through April. If you're looking for an authentic, challenging Alpine experience that'll make you feel truly alive, this is it.
hardHow long is Gorge du Cians?
🇫🇷 France
Gorge du Cians is a very scenic canyon with stunning red rocks located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It’s one of the French balcony roads How long is Gorge du Cians? The road through the gorges is totally paved. It’s called D28. The drive is 21.7 km (13.48 miles) long, running north-south from Beuil to Touët-sur-Var. The deep gorge carved through the mountains by the River Cians is made all the more spectacular by the deep red of the exposed rock. The river descends 1,600 m (5,250 ft) in just 25 km (15 miles) between the villages of Beuil and Touet-sur-Var. The narrowest and most spectacular part of the canyon is at Pra d’Astier, just in the middle of the two villages. How long does it take to drive Gorge du Cians? Tucked away on the southeastern part of the country, plan about 30 minutes to complete the drive without any stop. This road is one of the most famous balcony roads in France. A balcony road is a hair-raising lane cut into the sides of sheer cliffs. Located to the east of , a circuit linking both gorges makes an excellent day out, passing through tunnels, past ravines and waterfalls cut into the stunning red rock. Is the road through Gorge du Cians difficult? improved in the past to avoid the extremely tight passages and to improve traffic up to Beuil and Valberg as these villages are in winter very famous ski regions. To enable this, lots of tunnels have been dug and the famous and tight parts of the old road ( Passage de la Petite Clue Passage de la Grande Clue ) have been blocked. In year 2013 it was still possible to circumvent the roadblocks and visit these famous sections with a motorbike. Partly you had to unmount the sidecases of your motorbike – but it was still possible. These sections are not maintained anymore and now it’s simply dangerous for life to try to drive there. Partly just half a meter of the street has remained and the rest crashed into the gorges. Also, the splinters of the red rocks on the street could very soon kill your tires as they are sharp like knifes. The authorities have now blocked these sections in a way that its really impossible to drive there even with a bicycle. A wild balcony road through Gorges de Galamus in France Col de l'Iseran is the King of the Alps Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardA paved road to the top of Lucni Hora
🌍 Czech Republic
Okay, adventure awaits in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic! I'm talking about Luční Hora, a beast of a mountain peak sitting pretty at 4,960 feet. You'll find it nestled in the eastern part of the Krkonoše mountains, right inside Krkonoše National Park near the Polish border. At the top, you'll find a memorial to those who tragically lost their lives in these mountains – a converted stone chapel with plaques listing the names of avalanche, fall, lightning and frost victims. It's a sobering but important reminder of the power of nature. The road up to Luční Bouda is fully paved, though it can get a little tight in places. Heads up, avalanche danger can be high! You can usually reach the peak year-round, weather permitting. Just watch out for snow. Get ready for a climb! This road is seriously steep, with some sections hitting a maximum gradient of 20%. Starting from road 295, the ascent is almost 9 miles long, climbing over 3,000 feet! That's an average gradient of almost 7%. The road ends right at the Hotel Luční Bouda. The views? Absolutely worth the effort!