Driving the wild road to Mullaghanish
Ireland, europe
3.5 km
649 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for Mullaghanish! This peak straddling counties Cork and Kerry in southwest Ireland is a must-see. Perched high in the Derrynasaggart range, you'll climb to 649m (2,129ft) on a fully paved, albeit private, road. Keep an eye on your vehicle height, maxing out at 3.5m.
The 3.5 km (2.17 miles) journey is a real leg-burner, hitting gradients of up to 14%! You'll gain a whopping 362 meters in elevation, making for an average gradient of 10.34%. At the top, you'll find a massive TV mast dating back to '62. But the real reward? Jaw-dropping, panoramic views of the Cork and Kerry mountains. Trust me, the views are worth the climb!
Where is it?
Driving the wild road to Mullaghanish is located in Ireland (europe). Coordinates: 53.1649, -8.3258
Road Details
- Country
- Ireland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 3.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 649 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 53.1649, -8.3258
Related Roads in europe
extremeRoad trip guide: Conquering Markinkele
🇦🇹 Austria
# Markinkele: An Alpine Adventure Not for the Faint of Heart Perched at 2,545 meters (8,349 feet) in the Alps, Markinkele straddles the Austria-Italy border like a dramatic sentinel. Known by several names—Cornetto di Confine, Marchkinkele, and Marchginggele—this old military road is the real deal for adrenaline seekers and mountain enthusiasts. Fair warning: this isn't a Sunday drive. If heights make you queasy or landslides keep you up at night, skip this one. Honestly, only the truly fearless (or those getting paid) should tackle the descent here. The road demands respect and precision. One moment of distraction, one slip of judgment, and you're staring down thousands of feet of empty air. The Italian side is where things get properly intense—narrow, gravel-covered, plastered with hairpin turns, steep as they come, and slick as ice when wet. Winter? Forget about it entirely. The Swiss side? That's essentially a hiking trail. But here's the payoff: the views are absolutely jaw-dropping. From the summit, the surrounding mountains unfold in panoramic glory. Vintage military installations dot the landscape, adding a historic layer to your journey. Just don't get too distracted by the scenery—many stretches offer unguarded drops of hundreds of meters straight down. This is mountain driving at its most unforgiving. The landscape is stunning, the challenge is real, and the memories will last forever.
moderateWhere is Bielsa Tunnel?
🇫🇷 France
The Bielsa-Aragnouet Tunnel is a must-see international tunnel adventure! Perched high in the Pyrenees at 1,820m (5,971ft), it straddles the border between France and Spain, linking the Hautes-Pyrénées in France and Huesca in Spain. This epic shortcut is 3.07km (1.90 miles) long – 1,298m in Spain and 1,772m in France, and the best part? It's toll-free! Just be aware that while cars can cruise through in both directions, larger vehicles like trucks and buses take turns in a one-way system. You’ll approach the tunnel via the A138 from the Spanish side. From Salinas, it’s a 21 km climb with a respectable 4.9% average gradient. If you're coming from the French side via the D173 from Saint Lary Soulan, get ready for 18.93 km of winding ascent, averaging 5.3%, with some sections hitting a steep 11.8%! While generally open year-round, winter weather can occasionally shut things down for a week or so due to avalanche risks. Oh, and a heads-up: no hazardous materials or vehicles taller than 4.3 meters are allowed. But with views like this, who cares? Get ready for an unforgettable Alpine experience!
moderateThe coastal Road Fv805 is one of the most beautiful drives of Norway
🇳🇴 Norway
# Fv805: Norway's Hidden Gem Coastal Drive If you're hunting for one of the world's best coastal drives, head straight to Flakstadøya in Norway's stunning Lofoten archipelago. This little-known stretch in Nordland county is an absolute must-do. The Fv805 hugs the Norwegian Sea coast for just 5.5 km (3.41 miles) along the northern edge of Flakstadøya, making it the perfect bite-sized adventure that packs serious scenic punch. Fair warning: it gets narrow in spots, so take it slow and soak in the views. Most of the route is paved asphalt, though you'll hit about 2 km of unpaved road—nothing too gnarly, just adds to the adventure. The drive kicks off from the E10 highway near Napp, a charming little fishing village that's quickly becoming a tourist hotspot, and winds its way to Myrland. This isn't a long haul, but every kilometer rewards you with jaw-dropping coastal scenery that'll have you pulling over constantly for photos. Whether you're a road-trip enthusiast or just looking for a scenic detour through the Norwegian coastline, the Fv805 delivers the goods.
hardTossa d'Alp
🇪🇸 Spain
# Tossa d'Alp: A Wild Mountain Adventure in Catalonia Ready for some serious off-road action? Tossa d'Alp is a beast of a peak sitting at 2,535m (8,316ft) in the heart of Catalonia's Spanish Pyrenees. It's legitimately one of Spain's highest drivable roads, and honestly, it's not for the faint of heart. The route to the summit—locals call it La Tossa—is raw, unfiltered mountain driving. We're talking gravel, rocks, washboard terrain, and sections that'll test your suspension (and your nerve). It doubles as a chairlift access trail, which tells you something about the terrain. Winter? Forget about it—this road is completely impassable when snow rolls in. Here's the real talk: you'll need a 4x4 with serious clearance, and you need to know what you're doing. If unpaved mountain roads make you sweat, keep scrolling. The climb is genuinely steep, and if heights aren't your thing, maybe save this one for another trip. Throw in some rain, and that muddy surface becomes a legitimate puzzle. But if you're an experienced wheeler looking for something wild, this is your playground. The payoff? You'll find the Refugi Niu d'Ă€liga Shelter at the summit—reportedly the highest mountain shelter in the entire Pyrenees. Tucked within the CadĂ-MoixerĂł Natural Park, the scenery is absolutely stunning. Just come prepared, come skilled, and come ready for an unforgettable ride.