Eurotunnel connects France and England beneath the Strait of Dover
England, europe
51 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
All aboard for a totally unique travel experience! The Channel Tunnel, or "Chunnel" as the locals call it, whisks you 32 miles under the English Channel, linking Folkestone in England with Coquelles, near Calais, France.
Opened in '93, this marvel isn't your typical scenic drive – because you can't actually *drive* through it! Instead, hop on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle with your car, and enjoy a quick train ride. Think of it as a ferry, but underground!
While you won't see any dramatic vistas (unless you count the inside of a tunnel as a vista!), you *will* experience a feat of engineering. The tunnel's actually three tunnels – two for trains and one for services and security. It's all happening deep beneath the Strait of Dover.
Just remember, no driving yourself! Let the train take the strain on this unforgettable journey. And hey, if Chris Froome can cycle through it, you can definitely relax and enjoy the ride!
Where is it?
Eurotunnel connects France and England beneath the Strait of Dover is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 52.5505, -3.5613
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 51 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 52.5505, -3.5613
Related Roads in europe
moderateCime de la Bonette is the highest paved road of the Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Cime de la Bonette Want to experience the highest paved road in the Alps? Head to the Cime de la Bonette, sitting pretty at 2,806 meters (9,206 feet) in the stunning Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. This legendary pass straddles the border between Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, tucked deep within the Mercantour National Park near Italy. The road itself has serious history—what started as a humble mule track in 1832 didn't get its full paved treatment until 1960. Today, the entire route (called C1) is completely paved and forms a scenic loop that starts and ends at Col de la Bonette. Fair warning: this climb is legit tough. You'll face some seriously steep pitches, with sections hitting a gnarly 15% gradient that'll test your legs (and your brakes). But here's the payoff—you'll reach a point marked by a monument where the views are absolutely unreal. Just a short 60-meter walk from the small parking lot at the top rewards you with panoramic vistas of the national park that'll make every pedal stroke worth it. The Tour de France has made this pass legendary, and for good reason—it holds the record as the highest point the race has ever reached. Pretty epic stuff. Just plan accordingly: this route is snowbound and totally inaccessible from late October through June, so stick to summer climbing season if you want to conquer France's highest paved road.
extremeHow long is Road 622 in Iceland?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Road 622, or Svalvogur Road, in Iceland's Westfjords is an off-road adventure you won't forget! This 51 km (31.68 miles) route hugs the coast of the Dýrafjörður and Arnarfjördur fjords, winding from Þingeyri to Hrafnseyri. You'll need a 4x4 with high clearance, as it's all unpaved – think rocky, gravelly, and sometimes muddy! Tide can be a factor too, so time your trip carefully. Allow 2-3 hours to soak it all in, including a stop at the charming Svalvogaviti lighthouse, built back in 1920. Locals call it the "Dream Road" for a reason – it's incredibly scenic! Imagine a dramatic shoreline on one side and the stunning "Westfjord Alps" on the other. Keep in mind that the weather is unpredictable and can close the road without warning. Winter storms often wash away parts of the route. Check with the gas station in Þingeyri to make sure it's open before you go, and be aware of strong winds and potential landslides. Parts of the road can be a little scary, with steep drop-offs and loose gravel. Definitely not for small cars! And it's not advisable if you're afraid of heights, as the road is narrow and right on the edge in places. Fun fact: this route is also known as Kjaransbraut - Kjaran's Avenue, because Elís Kjaran Friðfinnsson built it using a small bulldozer back in 1973!
hardCirque de Troumouse: a road with 31 hairpin turns in the Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Cirque de Troumouse Tucked away in the Hautes-Pyrénées region of France sits one of nature's most jaw-dropping amphitheaters—and yes, there's actually a paved road (D922) that takes you right to it. The journey ends at a parking lot perched at 2,093 meters (6,866 feet), where you'll likely find plenty of company during summer months. Fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. D922 is basically a ribbon of asphalt wrapped around a mountain, with hairpin turns stacked upon hairpin turns and a surface that's seen better days. The road narrows as you climb, and the views get progressively more insane with every switchback. Starting from the charming town of Gèdre, you're looking at 15.2 km (9.44 miles) of elevation gain totaling 1,008 meters—that's an average gradient of 6.63%, though it ramps up to a serious 13% in places. Once you hit the toll booth marking the final 8 km stretch, things get really intense, with switchbacks so tight and steep (averaging 9.5%) that your car's transmission will earn its paycheck. Set your GPS for late spring through early autumn—the road is typically snowbound from November to June. Traffic is mercifully light, which gives you more room to soak in the views. When you finally reach the top, you're standing in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cirque is absolutely stunning: towering cliff walls and jagged peaks encircle a rocky landscape dotted with alpine lakes, all centered around a raised boulder field. The panorama is genuinely breathtaking.
moderateTravel guide to the top of Col du Festre
🇫🇷 France
# Col du Festre Tucked away in the Hautes-Alpes region of southeastern France sits Col du Festre, a mountain pass that rises to 1,441 meters (4,727 feet) above sea level. This is proper Alpine territory in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, and it's got the credentials to prove it—the Tour de France has tackled this climb before. The road up is fully asphalted, following the D937, which keeps things relatively civilized compared to some Alpine passes. You've got options depending on where you start your ascent. From Barrage du Sautet, you're looking at a 22.1 km grind with 648 meters of elevation gain—that works out to a mellow 2.9% average gradient, making it a pretty forgiving climb as mountain passes go. If you're starting from La Madeleine instead, you'll cover 14.4 km with 591 meters of elevation gain, bringing the gradient up to 4.1% on average. It's slightly steeper but shorter, so take your pick depending on your mood and fitness level. Either way, you're in for some stunning Alpine scenery as you wind your way toward the summit.