Corkscrew Hill is a thrilling drive through time on Ireland's historic route

Corkscrew Hill is a thrilling drive through time on Ireland's historic route

Ireland, europe

Length

16.1 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

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

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Ireland
Continent
europe
Length
16.1 km
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
52.5078, -7.7839

Related Roads in europe

The road from Kleino to Amaranto is one of the most challenging drives in Greeceextreme

The road from Kleino to Amaranto is one of the most challenging drives in Greece

🇬🇷 Greece

# Kleino to Amaranto: Greece's Most Unforgiving Mountain Drive Ready for one of the most intense driving experiences of your life? The road connecting Kleino to Amaranto in Greece's Trikala region is absolutely not for the faint of heart. Seriously, this route punishes every mistake. Nestled in the Thessaly region of central Greece, just north of the towering Trigia peak (1,974 m), this 9.8 km stretch winds through stunning but brutal mountain terrain. The entire route is unpaved—we're talking rough dirt mixed with slippery gravel that demands your complete attention and a proper 4x4 vehicle to handle it. What makes this drive legendary (and legitimately terrifying) is what happens after you summit at 1,600 m. The road transforms into a nail-biter: impossibly narrow single-track sections with no guardrails, off-road hairpins that feel like they have no mercy, and eight hairpin turns stacked together. We're talking grades that hit 10% and sections where you're literally just 12 inches from the cliff edge on either side. One wrong move and there's nothing between you and a very long fall. The scenery is spectacular—you're truly high in the Pindos Mountains—but honestly, you'll be too focused on gripping the wheel to fully appreciate it. This isn't a scenic cruise; it's a concentration test disguised as a road trip. Only tackle this one if you've got serious driving skills and nerves of steel.

A lovely drive to Fluela Pass in the heart of the Swiss Alpshard

A lovely drive to Fluela Pass in the heart of the Swiss Alps

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Flüela Pass: A Swiss Alpine Adventure Ready for a seriously thrilling drive? Flüela Pass sits pretty at 2,391m (7,844ft) in Switzerland's Graubünden canton, nestled right on the border between the Albula and Silvretta Alps. It's one of only three paved routes that connect the Engadin valley to northern Grisons—making it a must-do for mountain road enthusiasts. Built way back in 1867 to handle stagecoaches, Route 28 stretches 25.4km (15.78 miles) between Davos and Susch with pristine pavement throughout. Fair warning though: this beauty isn't a year-round playground. Thanks to serious avalanche risks, the pass typically shuts down from late December through early May, and even during open season, it only operates in the evenings and at night when the sun isn't heating up the slopes. Once you're on it, prepare yourself. The road climbs steeply—up to 12% gradient in places—with 37 hairpin turns that'll definitely test your driving skills. The curves are tight and winding, especially as the wider sections narrow toward the end. Most drivers spend 40-45 minutes reaching the summit without stopping, and honestly, you probably won't have much company up there. When you reach the top, pull into the parking area and soak in the jaw-dropping views of Lake Davorsee. The historic Flüela Hospice sits right at the summit. Davos, the gateway town, is Europe's highest altitude destination and a major alpine resort with museums, horse-drawn sleigh rides through picturesque side valleys, and endless outdoor activities. This is what alpine driving dreams are made of.

A 4x4 track to the scenic Haifoss waterfallmoderate

A 4x4 track to the scenic Haifoss waterfall

🇮🇸 Iceland

Craving an off-the-beaten-path adventure near the Hekla volcano in Iceland's Southern Region? Buckle up for a trek to Háifoss, a breathtaking 122-meter waterfall fed by the Fossá river! But listen up, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Road 332, your path to Háifoss, is a rugged 7.5km (4.66 miles) stretch starting from the paved Þjórsárdalsvegur road. A 4x4 with high clearance is seriously recommended – those "No small cars" signs aren't kidding! Expect a completely unpaved experience, riddled with bumpy terrain and more potholes than you can count. Seriously, be prepared to navigate around some seriously chunky rocks and axle-testing holes. Trust me, the photos don't do justice to just how rough this road gets! Your reward? Epic views in the Þjórsárdalur valley! The drive itself is a scenic feast, winding through the dramatic Icelandic Highlands, offering countless photo opportunities. Park your ride in the lot on the south side above the falls, then take a short hike to the viewpoint. Háifoss itself is simply jaw-dropping. Be careful though, the cliffs are super high so watch your step near the edge! Once considered Iceland's tallest waterfall, earning its "high waterfall" nickname, it now ranks fifth. Still, standing before this cascade, you'll understand why it's an absolute must-see. Get ready to be amazed!

Strada delle 52 Gallerie is a WWI military mule roadextreme

Strada delle 52 Gallerie is a WWI military mule road

🇮🇹 Italy

# Strada delle 52 Gallerie: Italy's Most Dramatic Mountain Trail Tucked between Trentino-South Tyrol and Veneto in the heart of the Dolomites, the Strada delle 52 Gallerie is one of those hikes that'll blow your mind—and probably haunt your dreams a little bit too. Built during World War I as a military supply route, this 5.3 km (3.29 miles) trail was ingeniously carved into the Pasubio massif to keep soldiers and supplies safe from Austro-Hungarian artillery fire. The Italian Army pulled off something remarkable here: completing this engineering marvel in just ten months, from February to November 1917. What you're actually walking through is a combination of rock galleries and tunnels—52 of them, to be exact. About 2.5 kilometers consists of these numbered tunnels, ranging from a quick 10-meter stroll to the mind-bending Gallery 19, which stretches 318 meters and spirals through the rock like a corkscrew with four complete turns. All tunnels are at least 2 meters wide and tall (originally designed to fit two mules with their cargo), so they're pretty walkable—unless tight spaces freak you out. The trail climbs steeply almost the entire way, topping out at 2,000 meters where you'll find jaw-dropping panoramic views. The path itself ranges from smooth sections to seriously uneven terrain, and water seeping from tunnel ceilings keeps things slippery, so watch your footing. Pack a quality headlamp (and a spare) because some stretches are pitch black. No helmet needed, but you'll definitely want reliable lighting. The scenery is absolutely stunning—think dramatic cliff faces, towering rock formations, and vistas that remind you why you came. Just remember this isn't a casual stroll: the trail is narrow in places with significant drop-offs, and weather matters. Winter is a no-go due to snow and dangerous conditions. Coming down requires careful steps since those slippery tunnel floors become even trickier on the descent. Once you summit, reward yourself at Refuge Achille Papa for food and drinks. And here's the local legend: people say you can't visit just once. The Strada delle 52 Gallerie has a way of calling hikers back.