Crossing the hair-raising Nadym River Bridge in Siberia

Crossing the hair-raising Nadym River Bridge in Siberia

Russia, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're smack-dab in the heart of Siberia, right on the Arctic Circle. You're about to cross the Nadym River, but forget your average bridge! This is a pontoon bridge, and "rickety" is an understatement. We're talking about a bridge that's only open in the summer because the river's frozen solid for half the year.

Now, I'm not gonna lie, this thing can be a bit of a nail-biter. Parts of it are submerged in over a foot of water! It's definitely not for the faint of heart, but the views? Totally worth it. Think wide-open Siberian wilderness, crystal-clear arctic air, and a serious sense of adventure. Word on the street is they're working on a more permanent solution, but for now, this insane bridge is the only way across. Get ready for a wild ride!

Where is it?

Crossing the hair-raising Nadym River Bridge in Siberia is located in Russia (europe). Coordinates: 59.0503, 39.9589

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Russia
Continent
europe
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
59.0503, 39.9589

Related Roads in europe

Take the Brutal Via del Sole and Discover Punta Velenoextreme

Take the Brutal Via del Sole and Discover Punta Veleno

🇮🇹 Italy

# Punta Veleno: Italy's Most Gloriously Brutal Mountain Pass Perched at 1,171 meters (3,841 feet) above sea level in Verona Province, Veneto, Punta Veleno is basically the mountain pass that makes you question your life choices—especially if you're attempting it by bike. ## The Road (If You Can Call It That) Via del Sole is a teeth-grindingly narrow, fully paved ribbon of pavement that climbs 10.7 km (6.64 miles) from Porto to Prada Alta. Fair warning: only one vehicle can pass at a time, and that's if everyone's being polite. The pass features 21 numbered hairpin turns—each one a little gift from the mountain gods—with gradients hitting a stomach-dropping 25%. Buses, trucks, RVs, automatics, and scooters? Not welcome here. ## The Views (Your Only Consolation) Hugging the eastern shore of Lago di Garda above the village of Brenzone, this route delivers knee-wobbling drop-offs straight down to Italy's largest lake. It's breathtaking in the most literal sense—both from the scenery and the sheer effort. ## The Real Challenge Don't let the total distance fool you. The middle 6.5 km is absolutely relentless, averaging over 14% gradient with some sections hitting nearly 25%. Those first and eighth turns? Prepare your quads. This is officially one of Italy's toughest climbs, earning legendary status from Giro d'Italia icon Vincenzo Torriani back in the '70s. The race has featured this punisher multiple times, and honestly? That tells you everything you need to know.

The picturesque road to Pas de Morginsmoderate

The picturesque road to Pas de Morgins

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Pas de Morgins: Alpine Adventure Between Two Countries Ready for a killer alpine crossing? Pas de Morgins sits pretty at 1,378m (4,520ft) right on the Switzerland-France border, making it the perfect excuse for a European road trip. This fully paved beauty connects Switzerland's Valais canton with the French Haute-Savoie region, and honestly, it's got everything—stunning mountain scenery, charming towns, and some genuinely fun driving. The complete route runs about 30.4 km (18.88 miles) from Abondance to Monthey, and here's the good news: it stays open year-round. You're looking at a maximum gradient of 10.5% on some sections, so it's challenging but totally manageable for most drivers. Each side offers its own vibe. **From the French side** (starting in Abondance), you've got an 8km climb that's relatively chill until the final 800m kicks up to 8%—perfect for building drama as you approach the summit. **From Switzerland** (Monthey side), the first 11km are grittier with steep 7-8% averages and that gnarly 10% max gradient. But here's the payoff: the last 6km ease up beautifully to just 2-5%, with those final meters actually descending as you crest the plateau. The summit itself sits on a sprawling mountain plateau that'll make your Instagram followers jealous. Whether you're tackling this from north or south, you're in for a treat—winding roads, Alpine views, and that satisfying feeling of conquering a classic European pass.

Take An Unforgettable Drive to Etang de Soulcem in the Pyreneeshard

Take An Unforgettable Drive to Etang de Soulcem in the Pyrenees

🇫🇷 France

# Étang de Soulcem Ready for a seriously scenic mountain drive? Head to the Étang de Soulcem, a stunning high-altitude reservoir sitting pretty at 1,649 meters (5,410 feet) in the Ariège department of southern France, right near the Andorran-Spanish border in the Occitanie region. Starting from Val-de-Sos, this 17.8 km (11.06 miles) paved route climbs steadily upward with some seriously steep sections—we're talking 15% gradients on the hairpins. Over the entire drive, you'll gain 987 meters of elevation with an average gradient of 5.54%. Yeah, it's a workout, but trust us, the payoff is absolutely worth it. Built between 1980 and 1983, the road delivers absolutely tremendous views that just keep getting better the higher you climb. The narrow road winds through some genuinely challenging hairpin turns near the end—definitely keep your wits about you here, especially if you're meeting traffic coming the other way. Keep an eye out too, as the area can be prone to rockslides. Once you reach the end, you'll find the Parking du Chemin des Orris, where a gravel road continues onward toward the fascinating (and unfinished) Port de Rat tunnel. The reservoir itself is accessible from the nearby commune of Auzat and is home to some beautiful native fish species. Fair warning: this mountain beauty is usually completely impassable during winter months, so plan your visit for the warmer seasons when you can fully appreciate those incredible Pyrenean views.

How To Travel The Palovit-Trovit Roadhard

How To Travel The Palovit-Trovit Road

🇹🇷 Turkey

Okay, fellow adventurers, buckle up for a wild ride in Turkey's Black Sea region! This off-the-beaten-path route from Palovit to Trovit, nestled high in the Rize Province, is not for the faint of heart. Clocking in at just over 7 km (around 4.5 miles), this unpaved, curvy mountain road is seriously steep and features a dizzying 14 hairpin turns! You'll be reaching for the sky, topping out at a whopping 2,971 meters (9,747 feet). Think dramatic drop-offs and breathtaking views – if you dare to look! Definitely a summer-only kind of adventure, and you'll want to bring your 4x4 for this one; trust me, you'll need it. Prepare for an unforgettable (and maybe a little hair-raising) journey through some of Turkey's most stunning landscapes.